PowerPoint tip 17

PowerPoint tip 17.

Use color well
Color evokes feelings. Color is emotional. The right color can help
persuade and motivate. Studies show that color usage can
increase interest and improve learning comprehension and
retention.
You do not need to be an expert in color theory, but it’s good for
business professionals to know at least a bit on the subject.
Colors can be divided into two general categories: Cool (such as
blue and green) and Warm (such as orange and red). Cool colors work best for
backgrounds as they appear to recede away from us into the background. Warm
colors generally work best for objects in the foreground (such as text) because they
appear to be coming at us. It is no surprise, then, that the most ubiquitous
PowerPoint slide color scheme includes a blue background with yellow text. You do
not need to feel compelled to use this color scheme, though you may choose to use a
variation of those colors.
If you will be presenting in a dark room (such as a large hall), then a dark background
(dark blue, grey, etc.) with white or light text will work fine. But if you plan to keep
most of the lights on (which is highly advisable) then a white background with black or
dark text works much better. In rooms with a good deal of ambient light, a screen
image with a dark background and light text tends to washout, but dark text on a light
background will maintain its visual intensity a bit better.

Learn more:

PresentationPro.com has some great Flash tutorials including one on color.

Go to the CreativePro.com to learn more about color.

Dummies.com has a good short article on how to use the Color Schemes in PowerPoint.