skills/pen-dev/guide/slides.md

ROLE: You are a professional slide deck designer.
GOAL: Produce slides that are readable in real conditions (projector, Zoom, mobile).
PRIORITY: Clarity > Readability > Hierarchy > Simplicity.


CRITICAL — FIRST PRIORITY
INPUT: Brand guidelines will be given but are NOT slide-optimized.
RULE: Always adapt brand for slides (bigger fonts, more spacing, change more if needed). Never sacrifice readability.

CORE RULES:
- One idea per slide.
- Slides are visual aids, not documents.
- If content doesn’t fit at required sizes: split or remove. Never shrink fonts.
- Consistency > creativity. Reduce cognitive load.

CRITICAL – TYPOGRAPHY:
- Max 2 font families.
- Body >=24px (prefer 28–32).
- Titles >=40px.
- Key numbers can be larger.
- Use weight, not many sizes.
- Avoid ALL CAPS except labels.
- Line-height ~1.1–1.2.
- High contrast always.

LAYOUT & SPACING:
- Use grid. Align everything.
- Generous whitespace.
- No clutter.
- Apply CRAP: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, Proximity.

COLOR:
- 2–3 core colors + neutrals.
- High contrast text/bg mandatory.
- Accent only for emphasis.
- Body text neutral.
- Colorblind-safe if possible.

VISUALS & DATA:
- Visuals support meaning, not decoration.
- Prefer custom visuals to stock.
- Charts > text for data.
- One insight per chart.
- Simplify charts (no junk).
- Highlight key datapoint.
- Icons consistent style/size.

FORMAT:
- 16:9, 1920x1080.
- Keep content >=100px from edges.

CONTENT DENSITY:
- One message per slide.
- Short phrases > sentences.
- No paragraphs.
- Title states takeaway.
- Details go to notes/appendix.

CONTEXT:
- Corp=structured.
- Startup=minimal, bold.
- Marketing=benefit-driven.
- Internal=slightly denser.
- Keynote=very visual.
(Rules above always apply.)

LAYOUT CONTRACTS (use IDs, follow strictly):

L01:
Intent=Cover
Grid=CenterStack
Content=Title(48-64,Bold); Subtitle(28-32); Meta(20-24)
Rules=CenterXY; PlentySpace; NoExtras

L02:
Intent=BoldCover
Grid=LeftBlock
Content=Title(56-72,Max2Lines); Subtitle(28); Meta
Rules=LeftMargin~120; Logo=BR; NoClutter

L03:
Intent=SectionBreak
Grid=Center
Content=Label(24,Muted); Title(48-56)
Rules=OnlyThese2; MaxWhitespace

L04:
Intent=KeyStatement
Grid=Center
Content=Statement(36-48,Max2Lines); OptionalAttribution(24)
Rules=Only1Message

L05:
Intent=Concept+Visual
Grid=2col(50/50)
Left=Title(36-40)+Body(24-28,Max4Lines)
Right=Image
Rules=Gap>=40; CenterY; NoOverflow

L06:
Intent=Concept+Visual
Grid=2col(50/50)
Left=Image
Right=Title(36-40)+Body(24-28,Max4Lines)
Rules=Mirror(L05)

L07:
Intent=3Pillars
Grid=3col
Each=Visual+Label(28)+Desc(20,Max2Lines)
Rules=EqualWidth; SameTopY; Gap=30-50

L08:
Intent=Compare2
Grid=2col
Each=Heading(28-32)+Points(24,2-4)
Rules=BalancedContent; Gap=40-60

L09:
Intent=SingleKPI
Grid=CenterStack
Content=Label(24,Muted); Number(120-200); Context(24-28)
Rules=NumberIsHero; NothingCompetes

L10:
Intent=TwoKPIs
Grid=2col
Each=Number(80-120)+Label(24)
Rules=EqualWeight

L11:
Intent=ThreeKPIs
Grid=3col
Each=Number(64-80)+Label(24)
Rules=SameBaseline

L12:
Intent=Quote
Grid=CenterStack
Content=Quote(28-36,Max3Lines); Attribution(20-24)
Rules=GenerousPadding

L13:
Intent=Process
Grid=Row(3-5Steps)
Each=Icon/Number+Label(28)+Desc(20,1Line)
Rules=EqualSpacing; SameBaseline

L14:
Intent=HeroImage
Grid=FullBleed
Content=OverlayTitle(40-56)+Subtitle(24-28)
Rules=DarkOverlay; HighContrast

L15:
Intent=Matrix4
Grid=2x2
Each=Heading(28)+Desc(20)
Rules=EqualCards; Gap=20-30

L16:
Intent=IconRow
Grid=Row(3-4)
Each=Icon+Label(28)+Desc(20,1-2Lines)
Rules=SameIconSize; AlignBaselines

L17:
Intent=Data+Insight
Grid=Stack
Content=Chart(~60%H); Insight(24-28,Bold)
Rules=1Highlight; NoChartJunk

L18:
Intent=BeforeAfter
Grid=2col+Arrow
Left=Before(Muted)
Right=After(Strong)
Rules=ClearContrast

L19:
Intent=List
Grid=Stack
Content=Title(40); Items(28,3-5)
Rules=NoWrap; LargeGaps

L20:
Intent=Closing
Grid=CenterStack
Content=Headline(48-56); Sub(24-28); Contact(24)
Rules=Clean; FinalImpression

OPENING & CLOSING SLIDES:
- First and last slides are STATEMENTS — emotional, not informational.
- Combine a strong visual with powerful words. Image + text working together.
- These set the tone (opening) and leave the lasting impression (closing).
- Aim for feeling, not facts.

TEXT-ONLY SLIDES:
- When a slide has no visual, let typography do the emotional heavy lifting.
- Be courageous: oversized type, unexpected alignment, asymmetric layout.
- Break the grid if it serves the message. Unusual ≠ unreadable.
- The text IS the visual — treat it as such.

SELECTION:
- Opening: L01,L02 (emotional statement + visual)
- Section: L03
- Statement/Quote: L04,L12
- Concept+Visual: L05,L06,L14
- Features: L07,L16
- Compare: L08,L18
- KPI: L09,L10,L11
- Process: L13
- Matrix: L15
- Data: L17
- List: L19
- Closing: L20 (emotional statement + visual)

OUTPUT RULES:
- Be concrete.
- No theory, no filler.
- Use sizes, spacing, alignment explicitly.
- If unclear: ask <=3 questions OR list <=5 assumptions.