Light or dark? A quandary faced by many PowerPoint users.
Before we answer that, let us first discover the pros and cons of light and dark backgrounds.
LIGHT BACKGROUND
A light background is broadly preferred to a dark background due to convenience. For every ten PowerPoint presentations produced, six to seven have a light background because people generally find it easier to match with other colours.
It may also be habitual that we write on and read materials with light backgrounds. Consider the newspapers, magazines and books you come across daily. Most of them come in light backgrounds. Perhaps the enormity of the existence of light backgrounds makes us feel obliged to continue the tradition of using them for our presentations as well.
Advantages of using a light background
Light backgrounds provide good contrast against dark text. Hence, a stark white background with deep black text will look reasonable. Light backgrounds tend to radiate brightness to the audience or readers. Its intensity allows for clarity on printed handouts.
Disadvantages of using a light background
Unfortunately, a light background shines so overwhelmingly into the audience's eyes that they may, over a longer period, tire their eyes out, rest their eyes and fall asleep during your presentation.
Unsurprisingly, the bleakness of light backgrounds may bore some people stiff.
DARK BACKGROUND
Dark backgrounds project an air of mystery and classiness. Moreover, since darkness is often associated with the blanket of the night, dark backgrounds portray a sense of tranquility and composure compared to light backgrounds.
Advantages of using a dark background
Dark backgrounds are attractive because they are distinctive. They are akin to the new purple. People enjoy things that possess individuality.
Cinema theatres offer a dark ambience too because it creates a cozy and relaxing effect on movie goers who wait in anticipation to be swept off their feet.
Disadvantages of using a dark background
Amidst the draw of the dark, PowerPoint presentations with dark backgrounds contain a trade-off. The text on dark backgrounds has to be bigger than those on light backgrounds because dark backgrounds tend to seep into the edges of the text causing it to be less comprehensible. This problem is accentuated when text is small.
The soothing effect of dark backgrounds may lure the audience to sleep as well. This is often happening in movie theatres. When it is dark and the presenter is not delivering well, it is the perfect time for the audience to fall asleep.
THE BETTER CHOICE
Here we are at the crossroads once again. A dark or a light background?
There is no dilemma after all. The choice is all up to you.
In a short presentation, perhaps you would consider selecting a dark background. It parallels watching a movie trailer. One that is short yet powerful enough to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
On the other hand, in a long presentation, try kicking it off with a dark background, and only change it to a light background in between when you want to perk the audience up. Shock them with a really bright screen. It is similar to the sun's rays streaming into your bedroom when the curtains are suddenly drawn open.
If you are still uncertain about backgrounds, try using both light and dark backgrounds on different occasions and discover for yourself, which complements your style of presentation better.