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Presentation Zen Design: Simple Design Principles and Techniques to Enhance Your Presentations
In his internationally acclaimed, best-selling book Presentation Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, presentation master Garr Reynolds gave readers the framework for planning, putting together, and delivering successful presentations. Now, he takes us further into the design realm and shows how we can apply time-honored design principles to presentation layouts.
Throughout Presentation Zen Design, Garr shares his lessons on designing effective presentations that contain text, graphs, color, images, and video. After establishing guidelines for each of the various elements, he explains how to achieve an overall harmony and balance using the tenets of Zen simplicity. Not only will you discover how to design your slides for more professional-looking presentations, you’ll learn to communicate more clearly and will accomplish the goal of making a stronger, more lasting connection with your audience.
Throughout Presentation Zen Design, Garr shares his lessons on designing effective presentations that contain text, graphs, color, images, and video. After establishing guidelines for each of the various elements, he explains how to achieve an overall harmony and balance using the tenets of Zen simplicity. Not only will you discover how to design your slides for more professional-looking presentations, you’ll learn to communicate more clearly and will accomplish the goal of making a stronger, more lasting connection with your audience.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
101 people are currently reading
1905 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 7, 2010
This is the book I wanted Presentation Zen to be. It covers much of the same ground as the original, emphasizing the need to delivery presentations that are grounded, engaging and compelling rather than Death by Powerpoint. But as the name implies, this book is more focused on the design of the slides rather than the Zen story telling.
As someone who spends a lot of time creating and delivering presentations, I appreciated the abundance of tips and tricks - from websites for creating color schemes, to details on text placement. Many of the ideas presented also can be used when you have to work within a corporate template, which was one of my complaints from the novel.
Garr Reynolds is on a roll - this should be required reading before anyone is allowed to play with a Powerpoint presentation. Well done!
As someone who spends a lot of time creating and delivering presentations, I appreciated the abundance of tips and tricks - from websites for creating color schemes, to details on text placement. Many of the ideas presented also can be used when you have to work within a corporate template, which was one of my complaints from the novel.
Garr Reynolds is on a roll - this should be required reading before anyone is allowed to play with a Powerpoint presentation. Well done!
November 27, 2015
An absolute MUST read for anyone in education. Rich with wisdom, art, and fantastic guidance. Design geeks rejoice--this is a beautiful read.
February 26, 2024
4/5.
Although everything mentioned in the book were design principles I had already learned and studied in college, the book did a phenomenal job of summarizing it all into a concise book format. All of the principles are applied to presentations, too, which is useful for anyone of any industry. It's a great book for understanding the basic design principles and how to use them to make great, impactful presentations. I would recommend this to anyone who has to make presentations for their job!
Although everything mentioned in the book were design principles I had already learned and studied in college, the book did a phenomenal job of summarizing it all into a concise book format. All of the principles are applied to presentations, too, which is useful for anyone of any industry. It's a great book for understanding the basic design principles and how to use them to make great, impactful presentations. I would recommend this to anyone who has to make presentations for their job!
March 10, 2018
In Presentation Zen Design, Garr Reynolds offers a truly entertaining critique of how most of us design slideshow presentations. But he goes beyond simply critiquing and gives a comprehensive set of suggestions for what to do better. As an internationally accomplished speaker and consultant, and a student of the Zen arts, Reynolds provides invaluable information in one of the most inspiring ways imaginable.
Presentation Zen Design is for anyone who makes slideshow presentations, especially if they want to make better ones. His main strategy for delivering this information is showing a slide that doesn’t work, explaining why it doesn’t work, showing an improved version of that slide and explaining the changes that brought it from mediocre to great. While the method is design, the focus is readability, making it relevant and understandable to an audience of non-designers.
The pace and format are delivered to this intended audience very effectively. Each chapter is designated to a clearly communicated theme / subject, and the message is communicated much like an actual presentation - one thing at a time. This made it well-paced and digestible, rather than a dense text about design theory. At every moment I felt that I was gaining valuable insight, but never overwhelmed with new information.
I think part of what helped this was that he didn’t speak only from his own experience. Frequently, he’d bring in example slides or short interviews from other professionals, so the voice and tone was varied. Connecting slidedeck design with certain elements from Japanese culture also increased the book’s readability. The connections were always relevant, and totally alleviated the potential tedium of reading an entire book about slideshows.
Perhaps the part I most appreciated, though, was Reynold’s parting advice to the reader. Some author’s leave you with “that’s all for now, good luck!” while Reynolds has a whole chapter on how to continue developing our newfound designer minds using everyday surroundings
To benefit from this book, all the reader needs is an honest curiosity about effective slide design. Reynolds readily provides the rest, from effective examples to comfortable pacing. After reading Presentation Zen Design I’m definitely looking forward to the prequel, Presentation Zen, as well as his TEDTalk.
Presentation Zen Design is for anyone who makes slideshow presentations, especially if they want to make better ones. His main strategy for delivering this information is showing a slide that doesn’t work, explaining why it doesn’t work, showing an improved version of that slide and explaining the changes that brought it from mediocre to great. While the method is design, the focus is readability, making it relevant and understandable to an audience of non-designers.
The pace and format are delivered to this intended audience very effectively. Each chapter is designated to a clearly communicated theme / subject, and the message is communicated much like an actual presentation - one thing at a time. This made it well-paced and digestible, rather than a dense text about design theory. At every moment I felt that I was gaining valuable insight, but never overwhelmed with new information.
I think part of what helped this was that he didn’t speak only from his own experience. Frequently, he’d bring in example slides or short interviews from other professionals, so the voice and tone was varied. Connecting slidedeck design with certain elements from Japanese culture also increased the book’s readability. The connections were always relevant, and totally alleviated the potential tedium of reading an entire book about slideshows.
Perhaps the part I most appreciated, though, was Reynold’s parting advice to the reader. Some author’s leave you with “that’s all for now, good luck!” while Reynolds has a whole chapter on how to continue developing our newfound designer minds using everyday surroundings
To benefit from this book, all the reader needs is an honest curiosity about effective slide design. Reynolds readily provides the rest, from effective examples to comfortable pacing. After reading Presentation Zen Design I’m definitely looking forward to the prequel, Presentation Zen, as well as his TEDTalk.
December 18, 2013
Never underestimate the power of a terrible PowerPoint in ruining a good presentation. Before one of my professors retired this year, she gave away some of the books she didn't need anymore, and I got this one. (Yay for free stuff!) Meanwhile in another class, I was docked pints on a group project because of a bad PowerPoint. Apparently you couldn't read it from the back of the classroom.
So when it came time for finals, I finally cracked open this bad boy and spent hours on a presentation. The result: Everyone was super impressed. There ya go. Hard work pays off.
This book has examples of attractive slides and the elements that make them attractive, including but not limited to:
text boxes
borders
fonts
pictures
grouping
Do your career a favor and read a book like this at some point, if not this exact book.
So when it came time for finals, I finally cracked open this bad boy and spent hours on a presentation. The result: Everyone was super impressed. There ya go. Hard work pays off.
This book has examples of attractive slides and the elements that make them attractive, including but not limited to:
text boxes
borders
fonts
pictures
grouping
Do your career a favor and read a book like this at some point, if not this exact book.
December 3, 2013
Every business person should have at least a basic understanding of the concepts in this book. If you are a design enthusiast like me, Presentation Zen Design doesn't break new ground; however, it does have a lot of great examples showing how to apply concepts of good design to your presentations. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is "design challenged".
January 13, 2013
For me this is more of a reference book. I read the entire book on presentation zen and did a big picture scanning through this one.
April 21, 2019
Keep them coming.
I really enjoy Garr Reynolds books, and that includes this book.
Mr. Reynolds does a wonderful job of give a person ideas in the development of the “PowerPoint” presentation. I have been an instructor for years now. However, his books have really started taking my presentations to the next level. Not just in the looks, which is much improved over my passed one. But in how I present and use a the PowerPoint. The art of teaching has taken a back seat to teaching the test. It is time to change it back. This book will help in making that change.
P.S.: Instructing is not reading the slide. The students can do that themselves. It is knowing the topics, being able to answer questions and communicate those ideas to the students.
I really enjoy Garr Reynolds books, and that includes this book.
Mr. Reynolds does a wonderful job of give a person ideas in the development of the “PowerPoint” presentation. I have been an instructor for years now. However, his books have really started taking my presentations to the next level. Not just in the looks, which is much improved over my passed one. But in how I present and use a the PowerPoint. The art of teaching has taken a back seat to teaching the test. It is time to change it back. This book will help in making that change.
P.S.: Instructing is not reading the slide. The students can do that themselves. It is knowing the topics, being able to answer questions and communicate those ideas to the students.
September 8, 2017
It's good for what it is. I had to read it for school but it is something I never would have read on my own. Lots of great ideas, tips, and examples on how to improve your slideware presentations, but I felt that it dragged on with a little too much minutiae for me, which is a little ironic since the book espouses Zen principles about trimming down the unnecessary and superfluous. If you have to (or maybe want to?) read about improving your presentations then this is a good book to pick up.
October 23, 2018
Such an inspiring book. I read this one during the time I was preparing slide design for the presentation in front of my whole company. The book contains so many principles not only of design, but also of culture and life. Additionally, the book itself recommends myriad other good books for reader to dive deeper into such wonderful craftsmanship.
However, this is not an immediate solution for those who are looking for a quick-fix treatment.
However, this is not an immediate solution for those who are looking for a quick-fix treatment.
June 11, 2025
4.5 stars!
Informative (though a tad repetitive), but also very enjoyable to read! I feel that the principles that the book advocates have actually been applied to the pages of this book itself (though they have been advertised for designing slides) which makes it immensely pleasing to the eye as well as selling us on the effectiveness of these principles. A one of a kind book!
Informative (though a tad repetitive), but also very enjoyable to read! I feel that the principles that the book advocates have actually been applied to the pages of this book itself (though they have been advertised for designing slides) which makes it immensely pleasing to the eye as well as selling us on the effectiveness of these principles. A one of a kind book!
February 9, 2020
Great Book
I finished this book in one day (while taking notes) in preparation for an important business presentation. I learned many useful and actionable strategies for better presentations.
I finished this book in one day (while taking notes) in preparation for an important business presentation. I learned many useful and actionable strategies for better presentations.
May 28, 2017
After the disappointing blue book this one in turn did deliver on its promise: practical tips on slide and presentation design.
March 12, 2019
Clear and easy to read! This book offer practical tips and great resources to explore further!
April 17, 2019
Very common-sense. The colour chapter was interesting (but not as informative as I expected) for me since I didn’t have that part of structured knowledge before.
Read
May 30, 2021Interesting.
July 19, 2021
If you have to read a book about presentations for a graduate-level class, this isn't a bad one.
July 20, 2022
Exemple foarte bune de slide-uri atractive.
M-au plictisit nesfarsitele mentiuni ale culturii japoneze.
M-au plictisit nesfarsitele mentiuni ale culturii japoneze.
December 19, 2024
The principles aren't very well structured. Some examples are a little bit outdated. However, there are some important messages of Zen design being communicated through the book: simplicity, arrangement and design with a clear purpose in mind.
Want to read
October 5, 2025RK PRESENTATION SKILLS
May 30, 2016
http://junsearth.blogspot.kr/2016/05/...
goodreads.com rating: 4.17
my veridct: main dish is excellent, but the hors d'oeuvre and the dessert are terrible
pro: solid core messages, good examples
con: verbose and repetitive introductions, shallow show-off about the author's knowledge about Eastern culture
This book is almost refuting its own arguments in its design and contents. In presentations, less is more. The book could have been one third of its volume and still perfect. The book starts with a very long and boring introduction. When you're done with the waddling through the puddle and are gasping, you find that every chapter afterwards starts with its own verbose introduction, thoroughly till the end. You can imagine all those introductions are repetitive, thus boring.
Another thing that rubs you the wrong way is the author's imprudent quotes about Japan. The book starts with the author saying that the Japanese cuisine, "washoku(和食)", is about harmony. Following the same logic, the United States is a country of beauty, Germany a country of mercy, and France a country of law. I know that the author added "literally" in that argument to avoid this kind of criticism, perhaps. Then again, I can say that, literally, the author is one that protrudes in the family of Reynolds.
I know he lived in Japan for 20 years and I bet he knows a lot about its culture. But put yourself in the other's shoes. Imagine some Japanese guy who lived in France for 20 years talking about the Latin roots of French words. Most of Europeans will scorn at the insolence. His quotes about Chinese letters are actually very scornful for most East Asian people, but I will talk no more.
Now, on the bright side, content-wise this book is very satisfactory. Nothing spectacularly new, but most suggestions in the book are solid tips for good presentation (and the design of slides for it). I learned a thing or two about the selection of colors, among other things. And the examples found in the book are well chosen. What I liked most was, the suggestion about using a photo bigger than the screen, leaving the unseen for the realm of imagination.
Overall, the book is worth reading. If the author could have followed his own advice and have written the book in, let's say, 70 pages instead of 240+, it would have won 4 solid stars.
goodreads.com rating: 4.17
my veridct: main dish is excellent, but the hors d'oeuvre and the dessert are terrible
pro: solid core messages, good examples
con: verbose and repetitive introductions, shallow show-off about the author's knowledge about Eastern culture
This book is almost refuting its own arguments in its design and contents. In presentations, less is more. The book could have been one third of its volume and still perfect. The book starts with a very long and boring introduction. When you're done with the waddling through the puddle and are gasping, you find that every chapter afterwards starts with its own verbose introduction, thoroughly till the end. You can imagine all those introductions are repetitive, thus boring.
Another thing that rubs you the wrong way is the author's imprudent quotes about Japan. The book starts with the author saying that the Japanese cuisine, "washoku(和食)", is about harmony. Following the same logic, the United States is a country of beauty, Germany a country of mercy, and France a country of law. I know that the author added "literally" in that argument to avoid this kind of criticism, perhaps. Then again, I can say that, literally, the author is one that protrudes in the family of Reynolds.
I know he lived in Japan for 20 years and I bet he knows a lot about its culture. But put yourself in the other's shoes. Imagine some Japanese guy who lived in France for 20 years talking about the Latin roots of French words. Most of Europeans will scorn at the insolence. His quotes about Chinese letters are actually very scornful for most East Asian people, but I will talk no more.
Now, on the bright side, content-wise this book is very satisfactory. Nothing spectacularly new, but most suggestions in the book are solid tips for good presentation (and the design of slides for it). I learned a thing or two about the selection of colors, among other things. And the examples found in the book are well chosen. What I liked most was, the suggestion about using a photo bigger than the screen, leaving the unseen for the realm of imagination.
Overall, the book is worth reading. If the author could have followed his own advice and have written the book in, let's say, 70 pages instead of 240+, it would have won 4 solid stars.
February 17, 2010
A good read, but a bit repetitive of themes from the first book. There is quite a bit of new material in this book which makes it worth picking up even if you already have Presentation Zen, but don't be surprised to find some major overlap of content as well. This was likely necessary to allow this book to exist on it's own, but it did on occasion make it a bit repetitive to someone who had read the first book.
So, I've given it a four out of five since I'm quite familiar with Presentation Zen, but I'd have likely given it a 5 out of 5 if I had only read just this book.
So, I've given it a four out of five since I'm quite familiar with Presentation Zen, but I'd have likely given it a 5 out of 5 if I had only read just this book.
February 21, 2011
Along with the other Zen Presentation design book i read - A really good and quick guide to improving the stickiness of your presentations - whether this is at an exhibition or online ones. I created my first virtual school video whilst reading this, Steve Jobs presentation book (great for getting the message succinct) and online videos on using Camtasi. My first outputs was the virtual school video on our youtube channel - www.youtube.com/Fusionuniversal.
I would say all my presentations are improved of reading this book, along with the Steve Jobs one
I would say all my presentations are improved of reading this book, along with the Steve Jobs one
April 10, 2013
Another great book by Garr. Just like the first book, in this second book, Garr tried to give us more clear approach on how to implement zen principles on presentation design. If the first book talks more about concept, the second one is more technical but still there are some concepts here and there. I recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about presentation and improve their presentation skill.
September 8, 2017
It's good for what it is. I had to read it for school but it is something I never would have read on my own. Lots of great ideas, tips, and examples on how to improve your slideware presentations, but I felt that it dragged on a little with too much minutiae for me, which is a little ironic since the book espouses Zen principles about trimming down the unnecessary and superfluous. If you have to (or maybe want to?) read about improving your presentations then this is a good book to pick up.
March 15, 2010
Excellent book reviewing the design principles for presentations. Sort of like a design book for non-designers. I know there is a book that is similarly titled and covers that, but it is not written with presentations in mind nor with Garr's well created prose, experience in presentations, or his wonderful examples.
September 7, 2010
See my review of Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, here.
June 28, 2012
I think that anyone who is creating decks and training presentations should read this book. It gave me such helpful advice, from how to make my slides look good to really thinking about who the participants were there for - the PowerPoint or my expertise? I loved it and have used it often as I do my work!
September 4, 2012
This is a great companion to Presentation Zen. This provided some detail on design theories & principles alluded to in the earlier book. (I wouldn't have minded both volumes combined into a single book.) I thought the comparison to traditional Japanese art forms most effective when more detail is provided rather than a simple statement that there are lots of rules & structures to learn.
September 14, 2012
I have read this book off and on for a while now, seemingly whenever I have to make a slide deck, and finally finished it off today. The book offers a lot of good advice on how to build presentations which will effectively convey the desired message to the audience. Certainly a good reference for anyone who routinely has to create slide decks and deliver presentations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews