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It’s easy to create presentations in Keynote, but not so easy to make them stand out from the normal templates. This tutorial is designed to show you how to turn an average presentation into a great one by adding a few simple graphical elements. There a few ways to do this and although we’ve added three different elements to one slide, don’t feel restricted by this. Keep things simple by adding one element per slide or make a standing element by having the same thing throughout – this can help hold a presentation together if you have included a lot of information or images. The important thing is to experiment and have fun.
Step 1: Text box
The first way to add graphics that we’re going to show you is by using text. When you’re ready, go to the top of the interface and click on Text Box.
Step 2: Position text box
Position the text box in a place that you can see it clearly and then open the Font panel by tapping the icon at the top right of the interface.
Step 3: Choose a font
Make sure that ‘All fonts’ is selected and choose a font that is made up of graphical elements, such as Bodoni Ornaments or Zapf Dingbats.
Step 4: Test the font
Try out a few different letters until you find something you like. Then size it up using the Font panel and add some colour using the colour palette.
Step 5: Shapes
The second way to add graphics to presentations is by drawing them. Go to the Shape tool at the top of the interface and select the last option.
Step 6: Draw a shape
Click the mouse to add a new point and hold down the mouse key and drag to make a curve. When you’ve joined the dots together, add some colour.
Step 7: Stock images
Another way to add graphics is to use stock. Some sites are free, such as this one, and others such as iStock charge a fee. You’ll need to create an account first.
Step 8: Download an image
Type a keyword into the search facility and when you find something you like, click on it. Under ‘Availability’ check the licensing restrictions and then hit download.
Step 9: Import
You’ll need to import the image into iPhoto in order to see it in Keynote. Drag and drop to the place you want, then resize as required.
(Click on the image below to zoom in and view the annotations)
