Presentation Master

World-class presentation creation skill that embodies best practices from presentation masters and adapts to your needs.

Philosophy

Key Innovation: This isn't just a presentation generator—it's a presentation coach that teaches world-class design while creating slides.

Principles from:

• Garr Reynolds (Presentation Zen) - Simplicity and visual storytelling
• Nancy Duarte (Resonate) - Story structure and audience as hero
• Guy Kawasaki - 10/20/30 rule (10 slides, 20 minutes, 30pt fonts)
• Seth Godin - 6 words maximum per slide
• TED - Visual-first, minimal text, high impact
• Edward Tufte - Data integrity and information design
• Steve Jobs - Rule of Three and surprise moments

Workflow: Guided Creation with Checkpoints

Phase 1: Discovery & Context Analysis

User provides: Topic + Audience + Duration

Skill analyzes:

• Presentation type (board update, keynote, training, TED-style)
• Audience level (technical, executive, general public)
• Key message and desired transformation
• Story framework recommendation

Checkpoint 1: Present 3 structure options with rationale → user approves

Phase 2: Content Development

Skill develops:

• Research topic if needed (web search, Obsidian knowledge)
• Extract maximum 10 core concepts (Kawasaki rule)
• Apply "what is / what could be" alternation (Duarte)
• Draft slide outline with one concept per slide
• Identify slides needing visuals

Checkpoint 2: Present outline + visual plan → user approves

Phase 3: Visual Strategy

Skill proposes for each visual slide:

• Image type (infographic, photo, diagram, data visualization)
• Visual concept/metaphor
• Aesthetic direction (colors from brand, style, mood)
• Estimated generation cost ($0.13-$0.24 per image)

Checkpoint 3: Present visual strategy → user approves images to generate

Phase 4: Generation & Validation

Skill executes:

1. Generate approved images in parallel using image-gen skill
2. Build slides using selected adapter (PPTX/Google Slides/Canva)
3. Apply design rules automatically:
   • 30pt+ fonts minimum
   • <6 words per slide (Godin standard)
   • High contrast (4.5:1 minimum)
   • No bullet points
   • No paragraphs
4. Run validation scoring (0-100 scale)
5. Generate quality report

Checkpoint 4: Present presentation + quality report → user reviews

Phase 5: Iteration & Refinement (if needed)

Skill refines:

• Apply requested changes
• Re-validate quality score
• Save final presentation to Obsidian Research folder
• Document learnings and metadata

Validation Scoring (0-100)

CRITICAL Violations (Auto-fail)

• Font size < 30pt

• 10 core concepts

• Bullet points detected
• Paragraphs (>2 consecutive sentences)
• Poor contrast ratio (<4.5:1)
• Default template usage

WARNING Flags

• 6 words per slide

• 15 slides for 20-min presentation

• No images in presentation
• Text-heavy slides (>3 lines)
• Inconsistent fonts (>2 families)
• Low-resolution images

Quality Score Breakdown

• Simplicity (10pts): Word count, visual clutter
• Visual Dominance (10pts): Image quality, text-to-visual ratio
• Story Structure (10pts): Narrative arc, emotional beats
• One Idea/Slide (10pts): Concept clarity
• Typography (8pts): Size, consistency
• Layout (7pts): Hierarchy, whitespace, alignment
• Color/Contrast (7pts): Readability, brand consistency
• Media Quality (8pts): Image resolution, relevance
• Cognitive Load (20pts): Mayer's 12 multimedia principles
• Data Integrity (10pts): Tufte principles (if data present)

Target Score: 85+ for high-quality presentations

Slide Pattern Library

Six Core Patterns

1. Title Slide - Minimal text, strong visual, sets tone
2. One Big Idea - Single word/number/image, max 6 words
3. Visual + Caption - Large high-quality image, short caption
4. Data Visualization - Charts following Tufte principles (maximize data-ink ratio)
5. Timeline/Process - Linear flow, minimal text per step
6. Transition/Section Break - Single word or phrase, signals shift

Adaptive Pattern Selection

Board/Executive Update: Patterns 3, 4, 6 (data-focused, professional) Keynote/TED-style: Patterns 1, 2, 3 (story-focused, visual-first) Training/Education: Patterns 4, 5 (process-focused, clarity) Pitch/Demo: Patterns 2, 3, 4 (impact-focused, evidence-based)

Story Frameworks

Nancy Duarte's Sparkline

• Alternate "what is" (current reality) with "what could be" (aspiration)
• Build tension through contrast between present and future
• End with transformation and new reality

The Rule of Three (Steve Jobs)

• Break presentation into 3 main sections
• 3 key features/points per section
• Memorable and dramatic

TED Structure

• Hook (first 30 seconds) - Grab attention
• Personal connection - Why this matters to you
• Core idea with evidence - The meat
• Call to action - What next
• Strong close - Never end with Q&A

Output Format Support

Current: PPTX (Phase 1)

• Uses existing pptx skill
• Direct PptxGenJS API for simple slides
• html2pptx.js for complex layouts
• Saves to Obsidian Research folder
• Generates quality validation report

Coming: Google Slides (Phase 2)

• Google Slides API v1
• Integrates with google-workspace skill
• Supports all 3 accounts (psd, kh, hrg)
• Returns shareable link

Future: Canva (Phase 3)

• Canva REST API
• Auto-apply brand kits
• Returns shareable link

Image Generation Integration

Intelligent Visual Recommendations

For each slide, analyzes:

• Numeric data → Infographic recommendation
• Abstract concepts → Conceptual image/metaphor (especially for keynotes)
• Concrete examples → Photo/realistic imagery
• Processes/flows → Diagram recommendation
• Trends/comparisons → Chart/data visualization

Prompt Generation (6-Step Process)

From image-gen skill:

1. Extract narrative from slide content
2. Choose visual concept/metaphor
3. Apply aesthetic (brand colors, presentation style)
4. Construct detailed prompt
5. Execute generation
6. Validate output

Cost Management

• Show total estimated cost before generating
• Allow opt-out of specific images
• Cache generated images for reuse
• Track spending in presentation metadata

Naming Convention

{presentation-id}-slide-{number}-{type}.png

Examples:
cybersecurity-2025-slide-02-threat-timeline.png
port-ai-2025-slide-04-breakthroughs.png

Brand Integration

Automatically detects and applies branding:

• PSD presentations: Use psd-brand-guidelines skill (Sea Glass, Pacific, etc.)
• Personal presentations: Use personal brand (if defined)
• Client presentations: Custom brand kit (future)

Applies to:

• Color palettes
• Typography choices
• Logo placement
• Overall aesthetic

Learning & Metadata Tracking

After each presentation, save metadata to Obsidian:

{
  "presentation_id": "cybersecurity-2025-board",
  "type": "board-update",
  "audience": "school-board",
  "duration": "15min",
  "slides": 10,
  "quality_score": 91,
  "images_generated": 7,
  "generation_cost": 0.94,
  "validation_warnings": 1,
  "user_edits": ["slide-8-wording"],
  "effectiveness": "approved-minor-changes",
  "created": "2025-11-24",
  "tools_used": ["research", "image-gen", "pptx"],
  "learnings": "Board prefers data charts over concept graphics"
}

Integration with Existing Skills

Dependencies:

• image-gen - Visual content generation
• pptx - PowerPoint creation (Phase 1)
• google-workspace - Google Slides (Phase 2)
• psd-brand-guidelines - Brand colors/logos
• research - Content development
• obsidian-manager - Knowledge storage

Coordination Pattern:

presentation-master (orchestrator)
├── calls research for content depth
├── calls image-gen for visuals
├── calls pptx/slides/canva adapter for output
├── calls psd-brand-guidelines for colors/logos
└── calls obsidian-manager to save final + metadata

Usage Examples

Example 1: Board Update

User: "Create presentation on cybersecurity trends for school board, 15 minutes"

Geoffrey: I'll create a board update presentation on cybersecurity trends.

**Context Analysis**
- Type: Board/Executive Update
- Audience: School board (non-technical)
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Purpose: Inform + Recommend action

**Recommended Structures**
1. Problem → Solution → Action (8 slides)
2. Current State → Trends → Implications → Recommendations (10 slides) ⭐
3. Story: Recent incident → Broader context → Our response (7 slides)

Which structure resonates?

[User selects #2]

**Draft Outline** (10 slides, one concept each)
1. Title: Cybersecurity Trends 2025
2. Current Threat Landscape [visual: threat timeline]
3. Trend 1: AI-Powered Attacks [visual: concept illustration]
4. Trend 2: Ransomware Evolution [visual: data chart]
5. Trend 3: Supply Chain Risks [visual: network diagram]
6. Impact on Education Sector [visual: stat infographic]
7. Our Current Posture [visual: assessment chart]
8. Gaps & Vulnerabilities [text-focused, high contrast]
9. Recommended Actions [visual: roadmap]
10. Investment & Timeline [visual: budget chart]

**Visual Strategy**
- 7 images recommended
- Estimated cost: $0.94 (2K resolution)
- Mix: 3 infographics, 2 charts, 1 diagram, 1 illustration

Approve and proceed?

[User approves]

Generating 7 visuals in parallel...
✓ All generated (0.94 total)

Building presentation with PSD brand colors...
Validating against best practices...

**Quality Score: 91/100**
✓ All fonts 36pt+
✓ Avg 4.2 words/slide
✓ High contrast (8.5:1)
✓ Story arc present
✓ Cognitive load optimized
⚠ Slide 8 has 7 words (rec: 6 max)

Created: /Obsidian/Research/cybersecurity-trends-2025-board.pptx

Example 2: Keynote

User: "Create keynote on future of education for conference, 30 minutes"

Geoffrey: I'll create a TED-style keynote on the future of education.

**Context Analysis**
- Type: Keynote/TED-style
- Audience: Education professionals + parents
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Purpose: Inspire + Shift perspective

**Recommended Structures** (Nancy Duarte's Sparkline)
1. What education is today → What it could be → Transformation (12 slides) ⭐
2. Steve Jobs Rule of Three: Past → Present → Future (9 slides)
3. Hero's Journey: Problem → Trials → New reality (10 slides)

Which framework?

[Continues with guided creation...]

Quality Checklist

Before presenting to user, verify:

Content

• One main idea per slide
• Clear story arc (beginning/middle/end)
• Audience positioned as hero
• Emotional connection established
• Maximum 10 core concepts

Design

• All fonts 30pt+ minimum
• High contrast (4.5:1+)
• No bullet points
• No paragraphs
• Maximum 6 words per slide (or justified exception)
• All images high-resolution
• Consistent fonts/colors/alignment
• No transitions or animations

Data Visualization (if applicable)

• Lie factor 0.95-1.05
• Maximum data-ink ratio
• Clear, detailed labeling
• No chart junk (3D effects, unnecessary borders)

Structure

• Follows chosen framework (Duarte/Jobs/TED)
• Creates tension and resolution
• Includes surprise/memorable moments
• Ends strong (not with Q&A)
• Appropriate length for time

Advanced Features

Context Detection

Automatically infers presentation type from cues:

• "board meeting" → Board update (data-focused)
• "keynote" or "conference" → Keynote (story-focused)
• "training" or "workshop" → Educational (process-focused)
• "pitch" or "investor" → Pitch (evidence-focused)

Smart Defaults

Based on detected type:

• Board update: 10 slides, 8 with visuals, professional tone
• Keynote: 12-15 slides, minimal text, emotional arc
• Training: 15-20 slides, process diagrams, step-by-step
• Pitch: 10 slides (Kawasaki rule), data-driven, ROI focus

Accessibility

Ensures presentations are accessible:

• High contrast text (4.5:1 minimum, aim for 7:1)
• Large fonts (30pt minimum, 36pt+ preferred)
• Clear hierarchy and flow
• Alt text for images (future enhancement)

Limitations & Future Enhancements

Current Limitations:

• No animation support (by design - Godin principle)
• No video embedding yet (future enhancement)
• No speaker notes generation (Phase 2)
• No slide master editing (uses templates)

Future Enhancements:

• Auto-generate speaker notes from slide content
• Suggest rehearsal timing
• A/B test different structures
• Track presentation effectiveness scores
• Build personal pattern library from successful presentations

References

Full principles documentation in:

• principles/masters.md - Expert best practices
• principles/validation-rules.md - Quality scoring system
• principles/slide-patterns.md - Template library
• principles/story-frameworks.md - Narrative structures

Scripts and adapters:

• scripts/analyze-context.js - Type detection
• adapters/pptx-adapter.js - PowerPoint output
• adapters/slides-adapter.js - Google Slides (Phase 2)
• adapters/canva-adapter.js - Canva (Phase 3)

---

Remember: The best presentations are simple, visual, story-driven, and focused on the audience's transformation—not the speaker's information.