1.3Images, shapes & icons
The essentials in 30 seconds
- The integrated image bank is royalty-free: the first reflex before Google Images.
- Align and Distribute replace the eye: mathematically equal spacing.
- Group what goes together: a diagram = a few groups, not 30 free objects.
Mini-spun case — Images, shapes & icons
Amel illustrates the range with product photos, shapes and some icons. She wants visuals that prove the point, not decorative images that weigh down the file.
Continuation of the common theme: the Blida agri-food SME is preparing its market launch.
1. The image should prove, not decorate
An image is valid if it shows (the product, the place, the before/after) or embodies (the use, the right emotion). The generic decorative (image bank handshake) weakens: an image = proof, otherwise we remove it. Crop (Format → Crop) to frame the subject, not the background.
2. Shapes and icons: visual vocabulary
The shapes (rectangles, arrows) provide structure: frame the key figure, indicate a progression. The icons (Insertion → Icons) replace words: an icon + a word equals a sentence. Rule: one style of icons (all outline or all solid), only one accent color.
3. Technique: weights, rights, alignment
Compress (Image Format → Compress, 150 ppi): an 80 MB .pptx is not sent. Rights: free banks or purchases, never Google Images. Align (Format → Align + Guides): three visuals aligned and equally spaced = pro; scattered = amateur.
🔎 Concrete example — Concrete example — The 3 pillars as icons
1. Insert → Icons: magnifying glass, truck, shield (same style)
2. Recolor to theme accent color
3. Align Horizontally + Distribute Evenly
4. Under each: one word (“Quality”, “Deadlines”, “Guarantee”)
→ 3 icons + 3 words = the slide is read in 2 secondsReading: alignment makes professionalism.
Lesson: group (Ctrl + G) to move the whole thing.
Section vocabulary
- Integrated image bank
- Insert → Images → “Library Images”: royalty-free photos, icons and illustrations, directly into PowerPoint.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Integrated image bank” in preparation for the launch.
What it is not: treat “Integrated image bank” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
- Trim to shape
- Image format → Crop → Crop to shape: the image takes the silhouette of a circle, an arrow, etc.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Rogner à la forme” in preparation for the launch.
What it is not: treat “Crop to fit” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
- Align / Distribute
- Format → Align: aligned edges and equal spacing calculated to the pixel — never “by eye.”
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Align / Distribute” in preparation for the launch.
What it is not: treat “Align / Distribute” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
- Group (Ctrl + G)
- Weld multiple objects into a single movable/resizable block. Ctrl+Shift+G ungroups.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Group (Ctrl + G)” in preparing for the launch.
What it is not: treat “Group (Ctrl + G)” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
- Dynamic guides
- The dotted red lines that appear when moving: they indicate alignments and centers.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Dynamic Guides” in preparing for the launch.
What it is not: treat “Dynamic Guides” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
In practice — A “3 pillars” visual aligned to the pixel
- Insert 3 icons from the library (e.g. target, handshake, rocket) on an empty slide.
- Under each, a one-word text box: Objectives, Partners, Growth.
- Select the 3 icons → Format → Align → Align Middle, then Distribute Horizontally: Perfect Spacing.
- Select each icon + text pair → Ctrl + G (group). Finally align the 3 groups together. Move a group: everything follows.
Script ready to say — Images, shapes & icons (25 s)
“Insert images and icons, draw shapes, align and group objects. Concretely, I check this point before planning: the integrated image bank is royalty-free: the first reflex before using Google Images. »
Short wording, to be adapted to the audience and the context of the meeting.
Copy and paste template — “Images, shapes & icons” checklist
CHECKLIST — Images, shapes & icons
1. The integrated image bank is royalty-free: the first reflex before Google Images.
2. Align and Distribute replace the eye: mathematically equal spacing.
3. Group what goes together: a diagram = a few groups, not 30 free objects.
4. An image resized by the SIDE handles is distorted — corners only.
EXPECTED RESULT: A balanced visual constructed with the pro method: align, distribute, group.Express version
Apply only the essentials and the first key point, then check the rendering in projection.
Remote
Share the file and check fonts, contrasts and text size before the video conference.
As a team
Lock in the common model and document choices to keep colleagues consistent.
Printed version
Keep the message titles and the text outline; remove animations that are no longer needed.
✓ Best practices
- An image = proof.
- An icon style, an accent color.
- Compress before sending.
✗ Common pitfalls
- Generic decorative images.
- Mixed icon styles.
- Stretched photos (distorted proportions).
Key takeaways
- The integrated image bank is royalty-free: the first reflex before Google Images.
- Align and Distribute replace the eye: mathematically equal spacing.
- Group what goes together: a diagram = a few groups, not 30 free objects.
- An image resized by the SIDE handles is distorted — corners only.
48 hour challenge — apply tomorrow
Take a pixel-aligned “3 pillars” visual from the Amel launch presentation: Insert 3 icons from the library (e.g. target, handshake, rocket) on an empty slide. Time 20 minutes and note what has changed for the audience.
- I can explain and apply: The integrated image bank is royalty-free: the first reflex before Google Images.
- I can explain and apply: Align and Distribute replace the eye: mathematically equal spacing.
- I can explain and apply: Group what goes together: a diagram = a few groups, not 30 free objects.
Frequently asked questions
How to properly overlay text on a photo?
Darken the photo (Format → Corrections → Brightness) or insert a semi-transparent black rectangle between the photo and the text: contrast guaranteed, text readable.
How to find an object hidden behind another?
Home → Select → Selection pane: the list of all objects on the slide, with stacking order, renaming and hiding. Alt + F10 opens it directly.
The file weighs 80 MB. What reflex should you adopt?