Hi guys, I thought I would just follow our thread from a few weeks back http://www.123ppt.com/powerpoint/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=162 which ended in with us touching upon clip art in PowerPoint.

Is anyone out there with an opinion on discussing this further?

Clipart. It's a word that makes the spine shudder and every audience member bow their heads in shame.

Everytime I see some annoying little gif animation clip art in a PowerPoint presentation I have a mental break from listening. It's like my whole brain shuts down and the only thought I have is kill the clipart...kill the clipart!

Why do people actually still use clipart? There are so many valuable resources around online, why do presenters still give us those annoying cartoon gif animations on slides that are supposed to convey a serious message?

-Jim

This is becoming a very interesting and valid discussion.

Most definetly Jim, you have hit the preverbial nail on the head!

Clipart and most specially clipart animations are usually made in isolation. For example, an animated dollar sign or an animated car.

One of the main problems that arises is the graphic expression or "style" of the clipart. Produced in isolation it is very difficult to find any number of clipart items that are harmonious, or rather designed to be used together.

Even in instances where the presenter may feel a light-hearted approach to their presentation is required and cartoon illustrative themes are employed. It is extremely difficult to find 2 similar illustrative styles that are required to illustrate the presenters key arguments or messages.