name	scientific-slides
description	Build slide decks and presentations for research talks. Use this for making PowerPoint slides, conference presentations, seminar talks, research presentations, thesis defense slides, or any scientific talk. Provides slide structure, design templates, timing guidance, and visual validation. Works with PowerPoint and LaTeX Beamer.

Scientific Slides

Overview

Scientific presentations are a critical medium for communicating research, sharing findings, and engaging with academic and professional audiences. This skill provides comprehensive guidance for creating effective scientific presentations, from structure and content development to visual design and delivery preparation.

Key Focus: Oral presentations for conferences, seminars, defenses, and professional talks.

CRITICAL DESIGN PHILOSOPHY: Scientific presentations should be VISUALLY ENGAGING and RESEARCH-BACKED. Avoid dry, text-heavy slides at all costs. Great scientific presentations combine:

Compelling visuals: High-quality figures, images, diagrams (not just bullet points)
Research context: Proper citations from research-lookup establishing credibility
Minimal text: Bullet points as prompts, YOU provide the explanation verbally
Professional design: Modern color schemes, strong visual hierarchy, generous white space
Story-driven: Clear narrative arc, not just data dumps

Remember: Boring presentations = forgotten science. Make your slides visually memorable while maintaining scientific rigor through proper citations.

When to Use This Skill

This skill should be used when:

Preparing conference presentations (5-20 minutes)
Developing academic seminars (45-60 minutes)
Creating thesis or dissertation defense presentations
Designing grant pitch presentations
Preparing journal club presentations
Giving research talks at institutions or companies
Teaching or tutorial presentations on scientific topics

Core Capabilities

1. Presentation Structure and Organization

Build presentations with clear narrative flow and appropriate structure for different contexts. For detailed guidance, refer to references/presentation_structure.md.

Universal Story Arc:

Hook: Grab attention (30-60 seconds)
Context: Establish importance (5-10% of talk)
Problem/Gap: Identify what's unknown (5-10% of talk)
Approach: Explain your solution (15-25% of talk)
Results: Present key findings (40-50% of talk)
Implications: Discuss meaning (15-20% of talk)
Closure: Memorable conclusion (1-2 minutes)

Talk-Specific Structures:

Conference talks (15 min): Focused on 1-2 key findings, minimal methods
Academic seminars (45 min): Comprehensive coverage, detailed methods, multiple studies
Thesis defenses (60 min): Complete dissertation overview, all studies covered
Grant pitches (15 min): Emphasis on significance, feasibility, and impact
Journal clubs (30 min): Critical analysis of published work

2. Slide Design Principles

Create professional, readable, and accessible slides that enhance understanding. For complete design guidelines, refer to references/slide_design_principles.md.

ANTI-PATTERN: Avoid Dry, Text-Heavy Presentations

❌ What Makes Presentations Dry and Forgettable:

Walls of text (more than 6 bullets per slide)
Small fonts (<24pt body text)
Black text on white background only (no visual interest)
No images or graphics (bullet points only)
Generic templates with no customization
Dense, paragraph-like bullet points
Missing research context (no citations)
All slides look the same (repetitive)

✅ What Makes Presentations Engaging and Memorable:

HIGH-QUALITY VISUALS dominate (figures, photos, diagrams, icons)
Large, clear text as accent (not the main content)
Modern, purposeful color schemes (not default themes)
Generous white space (slides breathe)
Research-backed context (proper citations from research-lookup)
Variety in slide layouts (not all bullet lists)
Story-driven flow with visual anchors
Professional, polished appearance

Core Design Principles:

Visual-First Approach (CRITICAL):

Start with visuals (figures, images, diagrams), add text as support
Every slide should have STRONG visual element (figure, chart, photo, diagram)
Text explains or complements visuals, not replaces them
Think: "How can I show this, not just tell it?"
Target: 60-70% visual content, 30-40% text

Simplicity with Impact:

One main idea per slide
MINIMAL text (3-4 bullets, 4-6 words each preferred)
Generous white space (40-50% of slide)
Clear visual focus
Bold, confident design choices

Typography for Engagement:

Sans-serif fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica)
LARGE fonts: 24-28pt for body text (not minimum 18pt)
36-44pt for slide titles (make bold)
High contrast (minimum 4.5:1, prefer 7:1)
Use size for hierarchy, not just weight

Color for Impact:

MODERN color palettes (not default blue/gray)
Consider your topic: biotech? vibrant colors. Physics? sleek darks. Health? warm tones.
Limited palette (3-5 colors total)
High contrast combinations
Color-blind safe (avoid red-green combinations)
Use color purposefully (not decoration)

Layout for Visual Interest:

Vary layouts (not all bullet lists)
Use two-column layouts (text + figure)
Full-slide figures for key results
Asymmetric compositions (more interesting than centered)
Rule of thirds for focal points
Consistent but not repetitive

3. Data Visualization for Slides

Adapt scientific figures for presentation context. For detailed guidance, refer to references/data_visualization_slides.md.

Key Differences from Journal Figures:

Simplify, don't replicate
Larger fonts (18-24pt minimum)
Fewer panels (split across slides)
Direct labeling (not legends)
Emphasis through color and size
Progressive disclosure for complex data

Visualization Best Practices:

Bar charts: Comparing discrete categories
Line graphs: Trends and trajectories
Scatter plots: Relationships and correlations
Heatmaps: Matrix data and patterns
Network diagrams: Relationships and connections

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Tiny fonts (<18pt)
Too many panels on one slide
Complex legends
Insufficient contrast
Cluttered layouts

4. Talk-Specific Guidance

Different presentation contexts require different approaches. For comprehensive guidance on each type, refer to references/talk_types_guide.md.

Conference Talks (10-20 minutes):

Structure: Brief intro → minimal methods → key results → quick conclusion
Focus: 1-2 main findings only
Style: Engaging, fast-paced, memorable
Goal: Generate interest, network, get invited

Academic Seminars (45-60 minutes):

Structure: Comprehensive coverage with detailed methods
Focus: Multiple findings, depth of analysis
Style: Scholarly, interactive, discussion-oriented
Goal: Demonstrate expertise, get feedback, collaborate

Thesis Defenses (45-60 minutes):

Structure: Complete dissertation overview, all studies
Focus: Demonstrating mastery and independent thinking
Style: Formal, comprehensive, prepared for interrogation
Goal: Pass examination, defend research decisions

Grant Pitches (10-20 minutes):

Structure: Problem → significance → approach → feasibility → impact
Focus: Innovation, preliminary data, team qualifications
Style: Persuasive, focused on outcomes and impact
Goal: Secure funding, demonstrate viability

Journal Clubs (20-45 minutes):

Structure: Context → methods → results → critical analysis
Focus: Understanding and critiquing published work
Style: Educational, critical, discussion-facilitating
Goal: Learn, critique, discuss implications

5. Implementation Options

PowerPoint via PPTX Skill

Best for: Custom designs, data visualizations, template-based workflows

Reference: See document-skills/pptx/SKILL.md for complete documentation

Key Resources:

assets/powerpoint_design_guide.md: Complete PowerPoint design guide
PPTX skill's html2pptx.md: Programmatic creation workflow
PPTX skill's scripts: rearrange.py, inventory.py, replace.py, thumbnail.py

Workflow:

Design HTML slides (for programmatic) or use templates
Create presentation using html2pptx or template editing
Add scientific content (figures, tables, equations)
Generate thumbnails for visual validation
Iterate based on visual inspection

LaTeX Beamer

Best for: Mathematical content, consistent formatting, version control

Reference: See references/beamer_guide.md for complete documentation

Templates Available:

assets/beamer_template_conference.tex: 15-minute conference talk
assets/beamer_template_seminar.tex: 45-minute academic seminar
assets/beamer_template_defense.tex: Dissertation defense

Workflow:

Choose appropriate template
Customize theme and colors
Add content (LaTeX native: equations, code, algorithms)
Compile to PDF
Convert to images for visual validation

Advantages:

Beautiful mathematics and equations
Consistent, professional appearance
Version control friendly (plain text)
Excellent for algorithms and code
Reproducible and programmatic

6. Visual Review and Iteration

Implement iterative improvement through visual inspection. For complete workflow, refer to references/visual_review_workflow.md.

Visual Validation Workflow:

Step 1: Generate PDF (if not already PDF)

PowerPoint: Export as PDF
Beamer: Compile LaTeX source

Step 2: Convert to Images

# Using the pdf_to_images script
python scripts/pdf_to_images.py presentation.pdf review/slide --dpi 150

# Or use pptx skill's thumbnail tool
python ../document-skills/pptx/scripts/thumbnail.py presentation.pptx review/thumb

Step 3: Systematic Inspection

Check each slide for:

Text overflow: Text cut off at edges
Element overlap: Text overlapping images or other text
Font sizes: Text too small (<18pt)
Contrast: Insufficient contrast between text and background
Layout issues: Misalignment, poor spacing
Visual quality: Pixelated images, poor rendering

Step 4: Document Issues

Create issue log:

Slide # | Issue Type | Description | Priority
--------|-----------|-------------|----------
3       | Text overflow | Bullet 4 extends beyond box | High
7       | Overlap | Figure overlaps with caption | High
12      | Font size | Axis labels too small | Medium

Step 5: Apply Fixes

Make corrections to source files:

PowerPoint: Edit text boxes, resize elements
Beamer: Adjust LaTeX code, recompile

Step 6: Re-Validate

Repeat Steps 1-5 until no critical issues remain.

Stopping Criteria:

No text overflow
No inappropriate overlaps
All text readable (≥18pt equivalent)
Adequate contrast (≥4.5:1)
Professional appearance

7. Timing and Pacing

Ensure presentations fit allocated time. For comprehensive timing guidance, refer to assets/timing_guidelines.md.

The One-Slide-Per-Minute Rule:

General guideline: ~1 slide per minute
Adjust for complex slides (2-3 minutes)
Adjust for simple slides (15-30 seconds)

Time Allocation:

Introduction: 15-20%
Methods: 15-20%
Results: 40-50% (MOST TIME)
Discussion: 15-20%
Conclusion: 5%

Practice Requirements:

5-minute talk: Practice 5-7 times
15-minute talk: Practice 3-5 times
45-minute talk: Practice 3-4 times
Defense: Practice 4-6 times

Timing Checkpoints:

For 15-minute talk:

3-4 minutes: Finishing introduction
7-8 minutes: Halfway through results
12-13 minutes: Starting conclusions

Emergency Strategies:

Running behind: Skip backup slides (prepare in advance)
Running ahead: Expand examples, slow slightly
Never skip conclusions

8. Validation and Quality Assurance

Automated Validation:

# Validate slide count, timing, file size
python scripts/validate_presentation.py presentation.pdf --duration 15

# Generates report on:
# - Slide count vs. recommended range
# - File size warnings
# - Slide dimensions
# - Font size issues (PowerPoint)
# - Compilation success (Beamer)

Manual Validation Checklist:

Slide count appropriate for duration
Title slide complete (name, affiliation, date)
Clear narrative flow
One main idea per slide
Font sizes ≥18pt (preferably 24pt+)
High contrast colors
Figures large and readable
No text overflow or element overlap
Consistent design throughout
Slide numbers present
Contact info on final slide
Backup slides prepared
Tested on projector (if possible)

Workflow for Presentation Development

Stage 1: Planning (Before Creating Slides)

Define Context:

What type of talk? (Conference, seminar, defense, etc.)
How long? (Duration in minutes)
Who is the audience? (Specialists, general, mixed)
What's the venue? (Room size, A/V setup, virtual/in-person)
What happens after? (Q&A, discussion, networking)

Research and Literature Review (Use research-lookup skill):

Search for background literature: Find 5-10 key papers establishing context
Identify knowledge gaps: Use research-lookup to find what's unknown
Locate comparison studies: Find papers with similar methods or results
Gather supporting citations: Collect papers supporting your interpretations
Build reference list: Create .bib file or citation list for slides
Note key findings to cite: Document specific results to reference

Develop Content Outline:

Identify 1-3 core messages
Select key findings to present
Choose essential figures (typically 3-6 for 15-min talk)
Plan narrative arc with proper citations
Allocate time by section

Example Outline for 15-Minute Talk:

1. Title (30 sec)
2. Hook: Compelling problem (60 sec) [Cite 1-2 papers via research-lookup]
3. Background (90 sec) [Cite 3-4 key papers establishing context]
4. Research question (45 sec) [Cite papers showing gap]
5. Methods overview (2 min)
6-8. Main result 1 (3 min, 3 slides)
9-10. Main result 2 (2 min, 2 slides)
11-12. Result 3 or validation (2 min, 2 slides)
13-14. Discussion and implications (2 min) [Compare to 2-3 prior studies]
15. Conclusions (45 sec)
16. Acknowledgments (15 sec)

NOTE: Use research-lookup to find papers for background (slides 2-4) 
and discussion (slides 13-14) BEFORE creating slides.

Stage 2: Design and Creation

Choose Implementation Method:

Option A: PowerPoint (via PPTX skill)

Read assets/powerpoint_design_guide.md
Read document-skills/pptx/SKILL.md
Choose approach (programmatic or template-based)
Create master slides with consistent design
Build presentation following outline

Option B: LaTeX Beamer

Read references/beamer_guide.md
Select appropriate template from assets/
Customize theme and colors
Write content in LaTeX
Compile to PDF

Design Considerations (Make It Visually Appealing):

Select MODERN color palette: Match your topic (biotech=vibrant, physics=sleek, health=warm)
- Use pptx skill's color palette examples (Teal & Coral, Bold Red, Deep Purple & Emerald, etc.)
- NOT just default blue/gray themes
- 3-5 colors with high contrast
Choose clean fonts: Sans-serif, large sizes (24pt+ body)
Plan visual elements: What images, diagrams, icons for each slide?
Create varied layouts: Mix full-figure, two-column, text-overlay (not all bullets)
Design section dividers: Visual breaks with striking graphics
Plan animations/builds: Control information flow for complex slides
Add visual interest: Background images, color blocks, shapes, icons

Stage 3: Content Development

Populate Slides (Visual-First Strategy):

Start with visuals: Plan which figures, images, diagrams for each key point
Use research-lookup extensively: Find 8-15 papers for proper citations
Create visual backbone first: Add all figures, charts, images, diagrams
Add minimal text as support: Bullet points complement visuals, don't replace them
Design section dividers: Visual breaks with images or graphics (not just text)
Polish title/closing: Make visually striking, include contact info
Add transitions/builds: Control information flow

VISUAL CONTENT REQUIREMENTS (Make Slides Engaging):

Images: Use high-quality photos, illustrations, conceptual graphics
Icons: Visual representations of concepts (not decoration)
Diagrams: Flowcharts, schematics, process diagrams
Figures: Simplified research figures with LARGE labels (18-24pt)
Charts: Clean data visualizations with clear messages
Graphics: Visual metaphors, conceptual illustrations
Color blocks: Use colored shapes to organize content visually
Target: MINIMUM 1-2 strong visual elements per slide

Scientific Content (Research-Backed):

Citations: Use research-lookup EXTENSIVELY to find relevant papers
- Introduction: Cite 3-5 papers establishing context and gap
- Background: Show key prior work visually (not just cite)
- Discussion: Cite 3-5 papers for comparison with your results
- Use author-year format (Smith et al., 2023) for readability
- Citations establish credibility and scientific rigor
Figures: Simplified from papers, LARGE labels (18-24pt minimum)
Equations: Large, clear, explain each term (use sparingly)
Tables: Minimal, highlight key comparisons (not data dumps)
Code/Algorithms: Use syntax highlighting, keep brief

Text Guidelines (Less is More):

Bullet points, NEVER paragraphs
3-4 bullets per slide (max 6 only if essential)
4-6 words per bullet (shorter than 6×6 rule)
Key terms in bold
Text is SUPPORTING ROLE, visuals are stars
Use builds to control pacing

Stage 4: Visual Validation

Generate Images:

# Convert PDF to images
python scripts/pdf_to_images.py presentation.pdf review/slides

# Or create thumbnail grid
python ../document-skills/pptx/scripts/thumbnail.py presentation.pptx review/grid

Systematic Review:

View each slide image
Check against issue checklist
Document problems with slide numbers
Test readability from distance (view at 50% size)

Common Issues to Fix:

Text extending beyond boundaries
Figures overlapping with text
Font sizes too small
Poor contrast
Misalignment

Iteration:

Fix identified issues in source
Regenerate PDF/presentation
Convert to images again
Re-inspect
Repeat until clean

Stage 5: Practice and Refinement

Practice Schedule:

Run 1: Rough draft (will run long)
Run 2: Smooth transitions
Run 3: Exact timing
Run 4: Final polish
Run 5+: Maintenance (day before, morning of)

What to Practice:

Full talk with timer
Difficult explanations
Transitions between sections
Opening and closing (until flawless)
Anticipated questions

Refinement Based on Practice:

Cut slides if running over
Expand explanations if unclear
Adjust wording for clarity
Mark timing checkpoints
Prepare backup slides

Stage 6: Final Preparation

Technical Checks:

Multiple copies saved (laptop, cloud, USB)
Works on presentation computer
Adapters/cables available
Backup PDF version
Tested with projector (if possible)

Content Final:

No typos or errors
All figures high quality
Slide numbers correct
Contact info on final slide
Backup slides ready

Delivery Prep:

Notes prepared (if using)
Timer/phone ready
Water available
Business cards/handouts
Comfortable with material (3+ practices)

Integration with Other Skills

Research Lookup (Critical for Scientific Presentations):

Background development: Search literature to build introduction context
Citation gathering: Find key papers to cite in your talk
Gap identification: Identify what's unknown to motivate research
Prior work comparison: Find papers to compare your results against
Supporting evidence: Locate literature supporting your interpretations
Question preparation: Find papers that might inform Q&A responses
Always use research-lookup when developing any scientific presentation to ensure proper context and citations

Scientific Writing:

Convert paper content to presentation format
Extract key findings and simplify
Use same figures (but redesigned for slides)
Maintain consistent terminology

PPTX Skill:

Use for PowerPoint creation and editing
Leverage scripts for template workflows
Use thumbnail generation for validation
Reference html2pptx for programmatic creation

Data Visualization:

Create presentation-appropriate figures
Simplify complex visualizations
Ensure readability from distance
Use progressive disclosure

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Content Mistakes

Dry, Boring Presentations (CRITICAL TO AVOID):

Problem: Text-heavy slides with no visual interest, missing research context
Signs: All bullet points, no images, default templates, no citations
Solution:
- Use research-lookup to find 8-15 papers for credible context
- Add high-quality visuals to EVERY slide (figures, photos, diagrams, icons)
- Choose modern color palette reflecting your topic
- Vary slide layouts (not all bullet lists)
- Tell a story with visuals, use text sparingly

Too Much Content:

Problem: Trying to include everything from paper
Solution: Focus on 1-2 key findings for short talks, show visually

Too Much Text:

Problem: Full paragraphs on slides, dense bullet points, reading verbatim
Solution: 3-4 bullets with 4-6 words each, let visuals carry the message

Missing Research Context:

Problem: No citations, claims without support, unclear positioning
Solution: Use research-lookup to find papers, cite 3-5 in intro, 3-5 in discussion

Poor Narrative:

Problem: Jumping between topics, no clear story, no flow
Solution: Follow story arc, use visual transitions, maintain thread

Rushing Through Results:

Problem: Brief methods, brief results, long discussion
Solution: Spend 40-50% of time on results, show data visually

Design Mistakes

Generic, Default Appearance:

Problem: Using default PowerPoint/Beamer themes without customization, looks dated
Solution: Choose modern color palette, customize fonts/layouts, add visual personality

Text-Heavy, Visual-Poor:

Problem: All bullet point slides, no images or graphics, boring to look at
Solution: Add figures, photos, diagrams, icons to EVERY slide, make visually interesting

Small Fonts:

Problem: Body text <18pt, unreadable from back, looks unprofessional
Solution: 24-28pt for body (not just 18pt minimum), 36-44pt for titles

Low Contrast:

Problem: Light text on light background, poor visibility, hard to read
Solution: High contrast (7:1 preferred, not just 4.5:1 minimum), test with contrast checker

Cluttered Slides:

Problem: Too many elements, no white space, overwhelming
Solution: One idea per slide, 40-50% white space, generous spacing

Inconsistent Formatting:

Problem: Different fonts, colors, layouts slide-to-slide, looks amateurish
Solution: Use master slides, maintain design system, professional consistency

Missing Visual Hierarchy:

Problem: Everything same size and color, no emphasis, unclear focus
Solution: Size differences (titles large, body medium), color for emphasis, clear focal point

Timing Mistakes

Not Practicing:

Problem: First time through is during presentation
Solution: Practice minimum 3 times with timer

No Time Checkpoints:

Problem: Don't realize running behind until too late
Solution: Set 3-4 checkpoints, monitor throughout

Going Over Time:

Problem: Extremely unprofessional, cuts into Q&A
Solution: Practice to exact time, prepare Plan B (slides to skip)

Skipping Conclusions:

Problem: Running out of time, rush through or skip ending
Solution: Never skip conclusions, cut earlier content instead

Tools and Scripts

Validation Scripts

validate_presentation.py:

python scripts/validate_presentation.py presentation.pdf --duration 15

# Checks:
# - Slide count vs. recommended range
# - File size warnings
# - Slide dimensions
# - Font sizes (PowerPoint)
# - Compilation (Beamer)

pdf_to_images.py:

python scripts/pdf_to_images.py presentation.pdf output/slide --dpi 150

# Converts PDF to images for visual inspection
# Supports: JPG, PNG
# Adjustable DPI
# Page range selection

PPTX Skill Scripts

From document-skills/pptx/scripts/:

thumbnail.py: Create thumbnail grids
rearrange.py: Duplicate and reorder slides
inventory.py: Extract text content
replace.py: Update text programmatically

External Tools

Recommended:

PDF viewer: For reviewing presentations
Color contrast checker: WebAIM Contrast Checker
Color blindness simulator: Coblis
Timer app: For practice sessions
Screen recorder: For self-review

Reference Files

Comprehensive guides for specific aspects:

references/presentation_structure.md: Detailed structure for all talk types, timing allocation, opening/closing strategies, transition techniques
references/slide_design_principles.md: Typography, color theory, layout, accessibility, visual hierarchy, design workflow
references/data_visualization_slides.md: Simplifying figures, chart types, progressive disclosure, common mistakes, recreation workflow
references/talk_types_guide.md: Specific guidance for conferences, seminars, defenses, grants, journal clubs, with examples
references/beamer_guide.md: Complete LaTeX Beamer documentation, themes, customization, advanced features, compilation
references/visual_review_workflow.md: PDF to images conversion, systematic inspection, issue documentation, iterative improvement

Assets

Templates

assets/beamer_template_conference.tex: 15-minute conference talk template
assets/beamer_template_seminar.tex: 45-minute academic seminar template
assets/beamer_template_defense.tex: Dissertation defense template

Guides

assets/powerpoint_design_guide.md: Complete PowerPoint design and implementation guide
assets/timing_guidelines.md: Comprehensive timing, pacing, and practice strategies

Quick Start Guide

For a 15-Minute Conference Talk

Research & Plan (45 minutes):
- Use research-lookup to find 8-12 relevant papers for citations
- Build reference list (background, comparison studies)
- Outline content (intro → methods → 2-3 key results → conclusion)
- Select 3-6 key figures and identify visual elements for each slide
- Choose modern color palette matching your topic (see pptx skill examples)
- Target 15-18 slides
Design & Create (2-3 hours):
- Choose PowerPoint (pptx skill) or Beamer (use template)
- Select modern, topic-appropriate color scheme (NOT default themes)
- Visual-first approach: Add figures, images, diagrams to EVERY slide
- Minimal text with large fonts (24-28pt body, 36-44pt titles)
- Add citations from research-lookup to intro and discussion slides
- Vary layouts (full-figure, two-column, visual overlays)
- Emphasize results visually (6-8 slides, figure-focused)
Validate (30 minutes):
- Convert to images: python scripts/pdf_to_images.py talk.pdf review/s
- Check for text overflow, overlaps, small fonts
- Fix issues and regenerate
Practice (2-3 hours):
- Practice 3-5 times with timer
- Aim for 13-14 minutes (leave buffer)
- Record yourself, watch playback
- Prepare for questions (use research-lookup to anticipate)
Finalize (30 minutes):
- Create backup slides with extra citations
- Save multiple copies
- Test on presentation computer
- Prepare notes if needed

Total time: ~7-9 hours for quality presentation with proper literature context

Summary: Key Principles

Visual-First Design: Every slide needs strong visual element (figure, image, diagram) - avoid text-only slides
Research-Backed: Use research-lookup to find 8-15 papers, cite 3-5 in intro, 3-5 in discussion
Modern Aesthetics: Choose contemporary color palette matching topic, not default themes
Minimal Text: 3-4 bullets, 4-6 words each (24-28pt font), let visuals tell story
Structure: Follow story arc, spend 40-50% on results
High Contrast: 7:1 preferred for professional appearance
Varied Layouts: Mix full-figure, two-column, visual overlays (not all bullets)
Timing: Practice 3-5 times, ~1 slide per minute, never skip conclusions
Validation: Visual review workflow to catch overflow and overlap
White Space: 40-50% of slide empty for visual breathing room

Remember:

Boring = Forgotten: Dry, text-heavy slides fail to communicate your science
Visual + Research = Impact: Combine compelling visuals with research-backed context
You are the presentation, slides are visual support: They should enhance, not replace your talk

Install Skill

SKILL.md