Today I wanted to talk about something fun – images. This is just a quick post to give you an idea of how to get a visual ”theme” going in your ebook or PowerPoint slides you’re using to create videos. We’re going to look at Microsoft Office Clipart. I know, I know… it’s the cheesiest. But you know what? It’s free! And it’s convenient! So we’ll just have to make it work.
Here’s the tip: Use a set of Microsoft Office Clipart from a specific style throughout your product. Go to the Microsoft Office Clip Art website (http://office.microsoft.com) and take a look at their collection of images and animations. They have a lot of stuff, you’d be surprised.
You want to search for illustrations. When you find one you want, check to see if it has a Style number associated with it. In this example, it’s style 531. Then click the style number to see the remaining images in the collection. Notice how all of the illustrations have the same look and feel. You want to maintain consistency in the images in your product so it doesn’t look …well, tacky and home made.
You will see the remaining images in the collection, just scroll through the pages and select the ones you want to use.
Here are a few more style collections. (I just picked some at random, there are many other styles). The key here is to try to maintain consistency – even if it’s consistently cheesy! I’m sure I could make these work in a product!
Keep in mind that Office clip art comes from a number of sources including iStockPhoto, Fotolia, Veer Images and others. So not all illustrations you find will be part of a style.
Follow me on Twitter: powersellingmom
Great Post! I love clip-art! Not cheezy at all! My presentations contain more graphics then most so I cannot survive without clip-art! ((smiles))
Follow me on Twitter: joycerhansen
Great tip Gwen about being consistent with the style images. I most use photos, but I certaintly will look more closely at the graphic images from microsoft clip-art.
Joyce Hansen´s last blog ..Stories of the Male and Female Brain
Follow me on Twitter: JacintaDean
Hi Gwen,
Just thought I would pop past and say hello! Wow! You are powering along with this challenge! Your blog is becoming a wealth of information it is absolutely awesome!!
Keep at it. One week down, 3 to go!!
How is the 100 articles in 100 days going?
Cheers
Jacinta
Jacinta Dean´s last blog ..John Thornhill’s Internet Marketing Master Class Coaching Program Week 32!
Follow me on Twitter: gjsuap
Another good idea. I did not like Clipart from office, but today you give it a twist: get expanded at Office site, and use similar styles. That’s good advice!!
See your post tomorrow…
G.
Gonzalo J. Suárez´s last blog ..Fascination: Mystique
Follow me on Twitter: CoachJaneLee
Hi Gwen:
Most of the images that I have used so far has been Microsoft Clip Art and pictures that I personally have taken through my digital camera. Some people say not to download the clip art picture, but I find the resolution to be really good.
Jane Lee´s last blog ..Using Audio Podcasts to accentuate your blog post, Part II
Follow me on Twitter: melaniekissell
This is my favorite kind of post, Gwen. You just get right to the tool and the “how-to” nitty-gritty and voila! Great demo and lesson.
I’m glad that you focused in on Microsoft Office clip art. When I’ve taken a peek at it in the past, yeah, the word “cheesy” definitely came to mind. Now, thanks to your help, I want to return and give it another chance with a whole new attitude on board.
Thanks!
Melanie
#blog30