Audio visual design has become an integral part of modern presentations. However, creating engaging and user-friendly AV templates can pose challenges. This blog discusses some key best practices for developing templates that are simple and intuitive for users. And we will discuss elements of an effective av design templates.
Understand the Needs and Skills of Your Users
The first step is understanding who your target users will be and their skill levels with AV software. Are they novices who rarely create presentations? Or are they experienced designers who need templates as a starting point? Knowing your users' needs and abilities upfront will help determine the complexity of your templates.
For most users, simplicity is key. Templates should require minimal technical skills to use. Avoid templates with intricate animations, transitions or effects that require advanced software knowledge. Focus on developing templates that allow users to easily customize text, images, and basic slide layouts without too many clicks or steps.
Incorporate the Elements of an Effective AV Design Template
There are several elements that make for an intuitive and user-friendly AV design template:
Consistent Layout: Use a consistent slide layout and formatting throughout the template. This provides visual familiarity and makes customizing slides straightforward.
Clear Structure: Organize content on slides in a logical, easily scannable manner. Use visual cues like headings, bullets, and spacing to guide the eye.
Blank Template Slides: Include a few blank slides that users can customize from scratch without layout constraints.
Simple Theming: Use a neutral color palette that works for most presentation topics. Avoid overly stylish or distracting templates.
Easy Customization: Make text, images, and basic elements like placeholders easy to modify with minimal click-drag-drop steps.
Minimal Animation: If including any transitions, keep them subtle and avoid complex moving parts that can be difficult to work with.
Accessible Text: Ensure all text-based content meets accessibility standards for color contrast, font size, etc. so it's readable by all.
Adhering to these practices helps ensure your templates are approachable for a wide range of users.
Use Consistent Naming and File Structure Conventions
It's important templates are organized in an intuitive way both in terms of individual file names as well as folder structures. Some best practices include:
Use descriptive but concise names like "Sales-Presentation-Template.pptx" that clearly convey the template's purpose.
Group templates into logical folders based on topic, user level, etc. For example, a "Beginner Template" folder.
Include a README file with overview, instructions, and tips for using each template.
Standardize the layout of all files so users know where to find things.
Consistent organization helps users quickly locate and select the right template for their needs. It removes ambiguity around what each file contains.
Provide Extensive Editing Instructions
Even the simplest templates may have customization steps users aren't familiar with. Provide clear, step-by-step instructions for:
Opening, viewing, and saving template files
Customizing text, images, colors, and placeholders
Formatting fonts, bullets, alignment
Adding or removing slides
Printing or sharing finished presentations
Contact info if they have additional questions
Consider embedding instructions directly into template files using comments or help text boxes. You can also develop instructional tutorials, videos, or webpages with screenshots demonstrating common tasks. Comprehensive instructions ensure templates are approachable for novice users.
Test Thoroughly Across Different Situations
It's important to rigorously test templates from the user perspective before releasing them. Some testing ideas:
Have colleagues and testers use templates for mock projects and provide feedback.
Closely observe usability - where users get stuck or make mistakes.
Try opening templates on different computers/devices and OS versions.
Attempt bulk customizing many elements at once.
Print or screen share final presentations.
Check accessibility of all elements for people with disabilities.
Thorough real world testing simulates different user scenarios and helps uncover any usability issues, bugs, or areas for improvement before templates are put to widespread use. It results in more polished, robust end products.
Continue Gathering Feedback and Evolving Templates
Just as with any product, user-friendly AV design templates require ongoing monitoring once released. Some ways to gather valuable feedback include:
Add an online feedback form or comments section for each template.
Analyze website traffic and download reports to see most/least used templates.
Check presentation submissions for common errors or customizations needed.
Conduct user surveys to understand pain points and feature requests.
Monitor review sites or social feedback about templates.
Continue evolving templates over time based on gathered insights. Minor revisions or additions typically go a long way towards meeting evolving user needs. Templates that remain fresh and relevant are more likely to be adopted.
Conclusion
By following best practices like understanding users, incorporating intuitive design elements, providing thorough documentation and testing templates rigorously, you can develop AV design templates that are truly simple and empowering for a wide range of presentation creators. Ongoing monitoring helps keep templates polished and serving users optimally over the long run. Focusing on the user experience leads to effective tools that see widespread adoption.
