Desperately seeking inspiration

May 5, 2008 7:41 AM

I'm in a rut. I need information graphic inspiration.

I have been creating PowerPoint presentations for more than a decade and need some fresh inspiration for info graphic design for org charts, tables, and other conceptual images for conservative corporate environment. I like to use PowerPoint shape tools and not import from Illustrator, etc... My PPT template is fine, I just want to see online samples of current best practices for PPT info graphics. I subscribe to Before & After, but they tend to focus on printed pieces.

posted by punkfloyd to grab bag (6 answers total)

This may be off topic, but surely is almost as relevent as b&a: visual complexity
posted by shownomercy at 7:53 AM on May 5, 2008

I do not mean this to sound like one of those "Get a Mac" posts, but have you tried keynote for OSX. It can do some really great looking things and can also export for PPT. At least it might be worth playing around with it to possibly give you some inspiration.

I also like using Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies for a quick shot of inspiration.
posted by travis08 at 8:40 AM on May 5, 2008

Have you read the Presentation Zen blog and website?
posted by jenkinsEar at 8:46 AM on May 5, 2008

I really like Juice Analytics

They have a blog, containing lots of posts on how to represent data using excel and powerpoint.

In particular:
100 Powerpoint Ideas
8 Ideas for Better Slides

There are lots others on their, as well as links to other sites.
posted by chrispy108 at 9:03 AM on May 5, 2008

Seconding Presentation Zen. Edward Tufte's Powerpoint Essay is good, too. You can order the whole thing from his site, which is worthwhile as well.

Also, look around at the Ted Talks. Some of those are outstanding. This list of information visualization blogs contains some great inspirational sites.
posted by barchan at 9:05 AM on May 5, 2008

Just about any of Edward Tufte's books would be good reading. However I see he has written one especially about Powerpoint.
posted by rongorongo at 9:39 AM on May 5, 2008