Presentations Creative Use Cases for Higher Ed Educators with Adobe Express

Overview: Why Presentations?

You’ve likely heard the phrase “Death by PowerPoint”—or worse, experienced it yourself. Boring, cluttered slides and monotone delivery can make even the most important topics forgettable. But that’s not the software’s fault; it’s a reminder to ask, “What makes a presentation effective?”

Unlike essays or videos that convey information one way, presentations give you a chance to connect with your audience in real time. It’s an opportunity to move someone—to spark a conversation, provoke a new idea, clarify a complex concept. Alongside a compelling talk track, engaging an audience in the 21st century often occurs through well-designed visual information sequenced in a clear, logical way. Think of TED Talks, conference presentations, or your favorite college lecture. Chances are the presenter delivered a polished talk paired with a captivating visual aid, making their information both memorable and impactful.

That’s where Adobe Express comes in. The “Presentations” tool makes it easy to design slides that are clean, creative, and purposeful. You can build decks with free design elements (e.g., backgrounds, icons, shapes), data visualizations, high-quality images, animations, and more! The editing canvas even supports videos and voiceovers, alongside everything you might find in a standard presentation software. Even better, Express allows real-time collaboration—perfect for group projects.

To help you get started, this module includes an Express Presentations template. Use it as a launchpad, not a script. Make it your own! The best slide decks tell a story that enhance, not distract from, your spoken narrative. Each slide is a chance to reinforce a piece of that story in an organized, intentional way. Uncluttered slides designed according to a consistent color palette, visual style, and font family are your surest path to effectively engage an audience.