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Learn how you can create a better pitch deck design. Explore our examples of modern pitch deck design and apply creative pitch deck design tips to yours.
Short answer
Design with storytelling in mind
Embrace "show, don't tell" with visuals
Make slides interactive to engage viewers
Incorporate multimedia for a dynamic feel
Start with a striking visual hook on the title slide
Prioritize consistency in branding and design
Ever found yourself marveling at the sleek design of your new deck, only to have a colleague or an investor murmur “haven’t I seen this somewhere before?”
That's the trap many entrepreneurs fall into. Enthusiastic about their new ventures, they throw money at agencies to create their pitch decks, hoping to make a splash.
But instead, they end up drowning in a sea of sameness, with same-old presentations that echo what’s already out there.
In the entrepreneurial world, failing to stand out can be costly.
Don’t risk sinking more money into presentations that fade into the crowd. This post was written to save entrepreneurs from themselves.
Dive in, and discover how to elevate your pitch deck from just another pretty slideshow to a captivating narrative that truly stands out. And spend less of your limited resources doing it.
Let’s go!
Good pitch deck design marries compelling content with striking visuals. It needs to include:
Balanced use of color and whitespace
Consistent branding throughout
Engaging visuals that complement the narrative
Typography that's both readable and aesthetically pleasing
Interactive elements to captivate viewers
Infographics or dataviz elements that simplify complex data
While agencies bring diverse expertise to pitch deck creation, in-house design ensures brand consistency, allows for quick updates, and benefits from a team deeply familiar with your company's essence.
Plus, it's much more budget-friendly than agencies.
And, with a pitch deck design tool like Storydoc, the entire design process is made easy.
Storydoc’s AI design assistant guides your design to perfection, and the walled garden editor lets anyone on your team make content edits while preventing them from breaking the design or going off brand.
Agencies charge premium rates for custom pitch deck designs, typically ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
On the other hand, templates are a budget-friendly alternative, costing anywhere from free to a few hundred dollars. You shouldn’t pay more than this amount for a modern pitch deck design.
Agencies can craft a pitch deck in 1-4 weeks, depending on project complexity and taking into consideration feedback loops. You can take this down from days to just 2-5 hours with interactive pitch deck templates.
Ever wondered how to take your pitch deck from 'just another presentation' to a captivating narrative that grabs attention? Making a pitch deck interesting is all about blending professionalism with creativity.
Dive into these modern pitch deck design ideas that not only look sleek but also engage and resonate with your audience.
Startup pitch deck design
Dive into a sea of calming blues with this design, giving a feel of trust right from the start. The layout is spacious, making each point stand out.
Simple graphics and clear fonts ensure your startup's vision is front and center, making it a breeze for viewers to follow along.
Investment pitch deck design
Precision is key when discussing finances. This design understands that, employing clean lines, well-spaced elements, and impactful visuals.
Charts and graphs are presented in a way that they don't overwhelm but inform, making complex financial data approachable and clear.
Modern pitch deck design
This template pops with cool shades of blue, giving it a fresh feel. The layout is simple yet effective, ensuring your content remains the hero.
What's even better? It's designed for easy personalization, allowing you to tweak and tailor as you see fit, making your pitch truly yours.
Creative pitch deck design
Ready to spark some curiosity? This design includes interactive elements in a mix of bright colors and charts that are made to be both eye-catching and informative.
It also uses narrated design, or scrollytelling, to guide viewers smoothly through the content, turning your pitch into a visual journey.
Sales pitch deck design
This design shines with its vibrant orange elements, instantly grabbing attention. It smartly uses tabs and quadrants to segment and organize content, making it super easy for viewers to follow along.
It's not just about looking good; these design choices ensure your sales pitch is both engaging and structured.
Corporate pitch deck design
This design is a blend of sophistication and functionality. The dark, high-contrast colors set a professional tone, while plenty of image and video placeholders allow for dynamic storytelling.
And the cherry on top? Engaging dataviz elements that transform numbers into compelling visuals.
Business pitch deck design
The last option takes the best bits from the corporate design but lightens things up. While it maintains a professional character, the brighter palette gives it a more approachable feel.
The layout is clean, with well-placed spots for images and videos. Dataviz elements are seamlessly integrated, turning data into visual stories.
Crafting a pitch deck that captivates and convinces is an art. But like all arts, it's grounded in certain principles.
Drawing insights from "Pitch Perfect: Raising Capital for Your Startup" by Haje Jan Kamps, and further research, here are some best practices to ensure your pitch deck doesn't just look good but also resonates with its audience.
Colors can set the tone for your entire presentation. Stick to clean, straightforward shades that complement each other. This not only makes your content pop but also keeps your audience's focus right where you want it.
Here's a great example of a clean presentation:
Personal photos, especially those that capture the essence of your brand or product, can elevate your pitch deck. They bring a touch of reality and relatability, making your story more compelling than generic stock images ever could.
Think of fonts as the voice of your slides. Imagine if someone kept changing their tone while speaking – confusing, right?
Choose one or two fonts that align with your brand's voice and use them consistently. This ensures a cohesive look and feel, making your content easily digestible.
Here's an example of a cohesive presentation:
Investors are busy people, so you should aim for short and sweet. About 30 words per slide should do the trick. It's enough to get your point across without overwhelming anyone.
If you're showcasing a product, let it shine! Whether it's product photography or clear screenshots, these images offer a tangible feel, bridging the gap between idea and reality and making your pitch more compelling.
Ever strained your eyes trying to read text that barely stands out from the background? Ensure your text and images pop against their backdrop. Good contrast enhances readability and aesthetics.
Here's an example of a presentation with good contrast:
Carmen Simon's insights highlight the power and pitfalls of using human images. While they can make a message feel personal, they can also distract from the main content.
The trick? Use human images that feel genuine and align with your message. And remember, people are naturally drawn to faces, so use them to guide attention to key parts of your pitch.
Each slide is a piece of your story. By focusing on one main idea per slide, you make it easier for your audience to follow along and remember the key points of your pitch.
It's easy to get carried away with design elements, but your core message should always be front and center.
Keep your slides clean and focused, emphasizing the main points without unnecessary distractions like excessive text, flashy animations, and off-brand humor.
And, if you’re wondering what to put on each slide of your pitch deck, check out our article on how to create a winning pitch deck investors love.
While crafting that perfect pitch deck design is an exciting journey, there are a few pitfalls along the way that can trip you up.
Here are 5 common mistakes and how to avoid them:
We've all seen it – a screenshot that's too small, blurry, or just doesn't fit right. If you're using screenshots, make sure they're clear, relevant, and add value to your slide. Remember, it's all about clarity and context.
It's tempting to pack in all the info, but too much text or too many images can overwhelm your audience. Keep it concise. Let each slide breathe and convey one main idea.
Basically, you don’t want your pitch deck design to end up looking like this:
A beautiful slide is great, but remember, investors are investing in you and your vision, not just a pretty presentation. While design matters, your content is king. Your message needs to shine through, loud and clear.
After all, you don’t want investors to start questioning what you might be trying to overcompensate for or hide under flashy designs, do you?
While creative pitch deck design is encouraged, avoid elements that overshadow your main points. Excessive animations or unrelated visuals can divert attention, diluting the impact of your pitch.
Did you know that a third of all decks are opened on mobile? And there's nothing more off-putting for your reader, especially an investor short on time, than having to pinch and zoom to see your content. Making your deck mobile-friendly isn't just a nice touch—it's essential.
Here’s what a static deck looks like on mobile:
Navigating the world of pitch deck design can be a tad overwhelming, right? That's where interactive pitch deck templates come in handy.
Think of them as your shortcut to a polished, professional look without the design heavy-lifting and cost.
They're all crafted with best practices in mind, reducing your risk of falling flat and ensuring your content outshines the rest.
Grab one.
Try Storydoc interactive pitch deck creator for 14 days free (keep any presentation you make forever!)
