PPT Design Pro Max
Comprehensive design guide for professional presentations. Contains 67 styles, 96 color palettes, 56 font pairings, 98 UX guidelines, and 25 chart types across 13 visual frameworks. Searchable database with priority-based recommendations for slide beautification.
Prerequisites
Check if Python is installed:
python3 --version || python --version
If Python is not installed, install it based on user's OS:
macOS:
brew install python3
Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3
Windows:
winget install Python.Python.3.12
How to Use This Skill
When user requests PPT design work (design, beautify, create, improve, optimize, format), follow this workflow:
Step 1: Analyze User Requirements
Extract key information from user request:
- Presentation type: Business report, project proposal, academic, training, marketing pitch, etc.
- Style keywords: minimal, playful, professional, elegant, dark mode, creative, corporate
- Industry: healthcare, fintech, education, technology, consulting, retail, etc.
- Purpose: Inform, persuade, educate, inspire
- Target audience: Executives, technical staff, general public, students, creative professionals
Step 2: Select Design Style
Based on the analysis, select an appropriate PPT style:
Built-in Styles:
- Gradient Glass (渐变毛玻璃): Tech-focused, high-end, Apple Keynote minimalism. Best for: technology/SaaS, business reports, product launches, data presentations.
- Vector Illustration (矢量插画): Warm, approachable, educational. Best for: training, creative proposals, brand stories, children's content.
- McKinsey Style (麦肯锡风格): Professional, data-driven, high-density consulting style. Best for: strategic consulting, financial analysis, business plans, investor presentations.
For detailed style specifications, see references/ppt-styles.md.
Style Selection Guide:
- Consulting/Strategy/Finance → McKinsey Style
- Technology/SaaS/Healthcare → Gradient Glass
- Education/Training/Creative → Vector Illustration
- Retail/Children/Family → Vector Illustration
- Business Plans/Investor Pitch → McKinsey Style
Step 3: Generate Design System (REQUIRED)
Always start with --design-system to get comprehensive recommendations with reasoning:
python3 scripts/search.py "<presentation_type> <industry> <keywords>" --design-system [-p "Project Name"]
This command:
1. Searches 5 domains in parallel (product, style, color, landing, typography)
2. Applies reasoning rules from ui-reasoning.csv to select best matches
3. Returns complete design system: pattern, style, colors, typography, effects
4. Includes anti-patterns to avoid
Example:
python3 scripts/search.py "financial report presentation professional" --design-system -p "Q4 Report"
Step 2b: Persist Design System (Master + Overrides Pattern)
To save the design system for hierarchical retrieval across sessions, add --persist:
python3 scripts/search.py "<query>" --design-system --persist -p "Project Name"
This creates:
- design-system/MASTER.md — Global Source of Truth with all design rules
- design-system/pages/ — Folder for slide-specific overrides
With slide-specific override:
python3 scripts/search.py "<query>" --design-system --persist -p "Project Name" --page "title-slide"
This also creates:
- design-system/pages/title-slide.md — Slide-specific deviations from Master
How hierarchical retrieval works:
1. When designing a specific slide (e.g., "Data Chart"), first check design-system/pages/data-chart.md
2. If the slide file exists, its rules override the Master file
3. If not, use design-system/MASTER.md exclusively
Step 3: Supplement with Detailed Searches (as needed)
After getting the design system, use domain searches to get additional details:
python3 scripts/search.py "<keyword>" --domain <domain> [-n <max_results>]
When to use detailed searches:
| Need | Domain | Example |
|---|---|---|
| More style options | style |
--domain style "glassmorphism dark" |
| Chart recommendations | chart |
--domain chart "trend comparison" |
| Typography for slides | typography |
--domain typography "elegant luxury" |
| Slide structure | landing |
--domain landing "hero social-proof" |
| Color palettes | color |
--domain color "professional corporate" |
Step 5: Select Layout Pattern
Choose the appropriate layout pattern for each slide type:
Slide Types & Layouts:
- Cover Page: Center-focus or panoramic layout. See references/ppt-layouts.md for details.
- Content Page: Bento grid, split-screen, or card layout.
- Data Page: Split-screen (left text, right chart) or center chart layout.
- Summary Page: List layout or center emphasis.
Layout Principles:
- One idea per slide
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Consistent alignment and grid
- Adequate whitespace
For comprehensive layout guides, see references/ppt-layouts.md.
Step 4: Stack Guidelines (Default: html-tailwind)
Get implementation-specific best practices. If user doesn't specify a stack, default to html-tailwind.
python3 scripts/search.py "<keyword>" --stack html-tailwind
Available stacks: html-tailwind, react, nextjs, vue, svelte, swiftui, react-native, flutter, shadcn, jetpack-compose
Search Reference
Available Domains
| Domain | Use For | Example Keywords |
|---|---|---|
product |
Presentation type recommendations | business report, academic, training, marketing pitch, project proposal |
style |
Slide styles, colors, effects | glassmorphism, minimalism, dark mode, brutalism, creative, corporate |
typography |
Font pairings for slides | elegant, playful, professional, modern, academic |
color |
Color palettes by industry | saas, ecommerce, healthcare, fintech, education, corporate |
landing |
Slide structure, content layout | hero, title slide, content, testimonial, data, conclusion |
chart |
Chart types for data slides | trend, comparison, timeline, funnel, pie, bar, line |
ux |
Best practices, anti-patterns | readability, accessibility, visual hierarchy, spacing |
prompt |
AI prompts for design | (style name) |
Available Stacks
| Stack | Focus |
|---|---|
html-tailwind |
Tailwind utilities, responsive, a11y (DEFAULT) |
react |
State, hooks, performance, patterns |
nextjs |
SSR, routing, images, API routes |
vue |
Composition API, Pinia, Vue Router |
svelte |
Runes, stores, SvelteKit |
swiftui |
Views, State, Navigation, Animation |
react-native |
Components, Navigation, Lists |
flutter |
Widgets, State, Layout, Theming |
shadcn |
shadcn/ui components, theming, forms, patterns |
jetpack-compose |
Composables, Modifiers, State Hoisting, Recomposition |
Example Workflow
User request: "帮我美化一份科技公司年度财报PPT"
Step 1: Analyze Requirements
- Presentation type: Financial report
- Style keywords: professional, data-driven, modern, corporate
- Industry: Technology
- Purpose: Inform stakeholders
Step 2: Generate Design System (REQUIRED)
python3 scripts/search.py "financial report technology professional" --design-system -p "TechCorp Annual Report"
Output: Complete design system with pattern, style, colors, typography, effects, and anti-patterns.
Step 3: Supplement with Detailed Searches (as needed)
# Get chart recommendations for financial data
python3 scripts/search.py "trend comparison bar line" --domain chart
# Get typography options for data readability
python3 scripts/search.py "professional data readable" --domain typography
Step 4: Stack Guidelines
python3 scripts/search.py "layout spacing alignment" --stack html-tailwind
Then: Synthesize design system + detailed searches and apply to PPT beautification.
PPT Design Best Practices
Style System
The Skill includes two built-in professional PPT styles:
1. Gradient Glass Style (渐变毛玻璃)
- Visual: Apple Keynote minimalism + glassmorphism + 3D glass objects
- Color: Deep void black/ceramic white base + aurora gradients (neon purple, electric blue, coral orange, cyan)
- Lighting: Cinematic volumetric lighting, soft ray-traced reflections, ambient occlusion
- Materials: Frosted glass, polished metal, iridescent acrylic, soft silicone
- Layout: Bento grid system with generous whitespace
- Best for: Technology, SaaS, business reports, product launches, enterprise
2. Vector Illustration Style (矢量插画)
- Visual: Flat vector illustration with uniform monoline strokes
- Color: Cream/off-white background + vintage soft tones (coral red, mint green, mustard yellow, ochre, slate blue)
- Line style: Uniform thickness black outlines, rounded ends
- Geometry: Simplified geometric shapes, toy-model aesthetic
- Layout: Horizontal panoramic composition + modular cards
- Best for: Education, training, creative proposals, brand stories, children's content
3. McKinsey Style (麦肯锡风格)
- Visual: Professional consulting style with high information density
- Color: Pure white background + black text + Deep Royal Blue (深皇家蓝) + grayscale hierarchy
- Typography: Serif font (Times New Roman) for titles, sans-serif for charts and data
- Layout: Multi-column design, structured frameworks, rich data visualization
- Graphics: Thin border lines, precise vector graphics, 2x2 matrices, complex charts
- Best for: Strategic consulting, financial analysis, business plans, investor presentations, management reports
For detailed style specifications, see references/ppt-styles.md.
Slide Layout Principles
| Principle | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| One idea per slide | Focus on single message | Overload with multiple topics |
| Visual hierarchy | Use size, color, position to guide eye | Equal weight for all elements |
| Consistent alignment | Grid-based layouts | Random positioning |
| Adequate whitespace | Leave breathing room (30-40% of layout) | Fill every pixel |
Common Layout Patterns:
- Bento Grid: Modular rectangular blocks for organized content
- Split Screen: Text on one side, visual on the other (4:6 or 5:5 ratio)
- Center Focus: Central content with surrounding whitespace
- Card Layout: Multiple cards for parallel content
- Panoramic: Horizontal scene at top 1/3, content below
For comprehensive layout guides and composition techniques, see references/ppt-layouts.md.
Typography for Slides
| Rule | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| Title size | Use 36-48pt for main titles | Below 24pt for titles |
| Body text | Use 18-24pt for readability | Below 14pt for body |
| Font pairing | Max 2-3 font families | Mix 4+ fonts |
| Line spacing | 1.2-1.5x for readability | Single spacing or 2.0+ |
Color for Presentations
| Rule | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| Contrast | Ensure 4.5:1 text-background ratio | Low contrast (gray on white) |
| Accent colors | Use 1-2 accent colors only | Rainbow of colors |
| Background | Solid or subtle gradients | Busy patterns behind text |
| Color meaning | Use consistent color coding | Random color assignments |
Data Visualization
| Rule | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| Chart type | Match chart to data story | Use pie charts for everything |
| Labels | Clear, readable labels | Tiny, rotated labels |
| Gridlines | Minimal or remove | Heavy gridlines |
| Colors | Meaningful color coding | Default Excel colors |
Output Formats
The --design-system flag supports two output formats:
# ASCII box (default) - best for terminal display
python3 scripts/search.py "fintech crypto" --design-system
# Markdown - best for documentation
python3 scripts/search.py "fintech crypto" --design-system -f markdown
Resources Index
Scripts
- scripts/search.py - BM25 search engine for styles, colors, typography, and chart recommendations
- scripts/core.py - Core search functionality and BM25 implementation
- scripts/design_system.py - Design system generation with reasoning
References
- references/ppt-styles.md - Detailed PPT style system (Gradient Glass, Vector Illustration, style selection guide)
- references/ppt-layouts.md - Comprehensive layout and composition guide (layout patterns, page types, composition techniques)
- references/data/ - Searchable databases:
styles.csv- 67 UI styles with keywords and best practicescolors.csv- 96 color palettes by product typetypography.csv- 56 font pairings with mood/style keywordscharts.csv- 25 chart types with recommendationslanding.csv- Page structure and CTA strategiesproducts.csv- Product type recommendationsux-guidelines.csv- 98 UX best practicesicons.csv- Icon library recommendationsstacks/- 13 technology stack specific guidelines
Assets
Empty directory - no static assets required.
Quick Reference
Style Quick Selection
- Consulting/Strategy/Finance → McKinsey Style (麦肯锡风格)
- Tech/SaaS/Enterprise → Gradient Glass style
- Education/Training/Creative → Vector Illustration style
- Healthcare/Consulting → McKinsey Style
- Retail/Family/Children → Vector Illustration style
- Business Plans/Investor Pitch → McKinsey Style
Common Commands
# Generate complete design system
python3 scripts/search.py "<type> <industry> <keywords>" --design-system -p "Project"
# Search specific domain
python3 scripts/search.py "<keyword>" --domain <domain>
# Get stack-specific guidelines
python3 scripts/search.py "<keyword>" --stack html-tailwind
Domains Overview
style- UI styles, colors, effectscolor- Color palettes by industrytypography- Font pairingschart- Chart types and librarieslanding- Page structure and layoutux- Best practices and anti-patternsproduct- Product type recommendations
Tips for Better Results
- Be specific with context - Include industry, purpose, and audience
- Consider audience - Different styles for executives vs students
- Use domain searches - Combine style + typography + color for complete system
- Test readability - Ensure text is readable from 6 feet away
- Maintain consistency - Apply same design system across all slides
- Iterate - Try different keywords if first design doesn't match
- Choose appropriate layout - Match layout to slide type and content density
- Leverage style system - Use built-in styles for consistent visual language
Common PPT Design Mistakes
Content Overload
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Wall of text | Break into bullet points or multiple slides |
| Too many slides | Focus on key messages, move details to appendix |
| Reading slides | Use slides as visual aids, not script |
Visual Issues
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Inconsistent fonts | Establish and stick to font hierarchy |
| Poor color contrast | Use high-contrast combinations |
| Low-quality images | Use high-res, relevant visuals |
| No whitespace | Add padding and margins |
Data Presentation
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Complex charts | Simplify or break into multiple slides |
| No labels/context | Add titles, legends, and explanations |
| Unsorted data | Sort to show patterns or insights |
| Too many metrics | Focus on 3-5 key metrics per slide |
Pre-Delivery Checklist
Before delivering PPT design recommendations, verify these items:
Visual Quality
- [ ] Consistent typography across all slides
- [ ] High contrast for readability
- [ ] Professional color scheme (1-2 accent colors)
- [ ] No low-quality images or graphics
- [ ] Proper spacing and alignment
Content Structure
- [ ] One clear message per slide
- [ ] Logical flow and progression
- [ ] Appropriate slide count for content
- [ ] Clear visual hierarchy
- [ ] Data visualizations are clear and accurate
Accessibility
- [ ] Text readable from 6 feet
- [ ] Color not the only indicator
- [ ] Fonts are universally available
- [ ] Alternative text for images
- [ ] Works on different display sizes
Brand Consistency
- [ ] Company colors applied correctly
- [ ] Logo used appropriately
- [ ] Brand guidelines followed
- [ ] Professional tone maintained
- [ ] No conflicting visual styles
