# Slide Layout Guide

This document describes each slide type in the Howatson+Company template with visual descriptions and usage guidelines.

## Table of Contents

- [Layout 1: Cover Slide (Opening Title)](#layout-1-cover-slide-opening-title)
- [Layout 2: Brand Guidelines / Rules Slide](#layout-2-brand-guidelines--rules-slide)
- [Layout 3: Section Divider](#layout-3-section-divider)
- [Layout 4: White Background Divider / Statement Slide](#layout-4-white-background-divider--statement-slide)
- [Layout 5: 3-Column Content Slide](#layout-5-3-column-content-slide)
- [Layout 6: 2-Column Content Slide](#layout-6-2-column-content-slide)
- [Layout 7: 5-Column Image Grid](#layout-7-5-column-image-grid)
- [Layout 8: Content with Small Images (3-4 columns)](#layout-8-content-with-small-images-3-4-columns)
- [Layout 9: Split Image/Text (60/40)](#layout-9-split-imagetext-6040)
- [Layout 10: Full-Bleed Image](#layout-10-full-bleed-image)
- [Layout 11: Quote or Centered Text](#layout-11-quote-or-centered-text)
- [Layout 12: Video Storyboard (4x2 Grid)](#layout-12-video-storyboard-4x2-grid)
- [Layout 13: Full-Screen Chart/Diagram](#layout-13-full-screen-chartdiagram)
- [Layout Selection Decision Tree](#layout-selection-decision-tree)
- [Mixing Layouts in a Presentation](#mixing-layouts-in-a-presentation)
- [Design Principles Summary](#design-principles-summary)

---

## Layout 1: Cover Slide (Opening Title)

**Visual Description:**
A dramatic black slide with massive white condensed typography that fills the entire slide. The company name "HOWATSON+COMPANY" is split across the top and bottom of the slide, with a central greyscale photograph breaking through the middle, creating a knockout/cutout effect. Small text in the top corners identifies the client and presentation name.

**When to Use:**
- First slide of every presentation
- Opening title/splash screen
- High-impact introduction

**Key Elements:**
1. **Background:** Solid black
2. **Display Text:** Company name in ultra-large VC Nudge Black, white, uppercase, wrapping around image
3. **Central Image:** Large greyscale photo (company team, product, location)
4. **Client Identifier:** Top left, "+ CLIENT NAME"
5. **Presentation Title:** Top right, presentation name
6. **Branding:** Vertical "HOWATSON+COMPANY" on left edge

**Customization:**
- Replace image with relevant photo
- Update client name
- Update presentation title
- Keep layout and typography exactly as specified

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide1.png`

---

## Layout 2: Brand Guidelines / Rules Slide

**Visual Description:**
A clean white slide with a large black headline "SOME RULES BEFORE YOU BEGIN" followed by three equal-width columns. The first column shows colour swatches, the second shows typography samples with font names, and the third contains text guidelines. A rounded button at the bottom center offers a download link.

**When to Use:**
- Start of presentations to set design guidelines
- Style guide pages
- Multi-column informational content
- Onboarding or instructional slides

**Key Elements:**
1. **Background:** White
2. **Main Headline:** Large VC Nudge Black, black, uppercase
3. **Three Columns:**
   - Each with a subhead and underline
   - Left column often has visual elements (colour swatches)
   - Middle and right columns have text content
4. **Call-to-Action Button:** Centered at bottom
5. **Branding:** Vertical "HOWATSON+COMPANY" on left edge

**Customization:**
- Change headline text
- Update column headers and content
- Replace colour swatches with other visuals
- Modify button text and link

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide2.png`

---

## Layout 3: Section Divider

**Visual Description:**
A bold slide with a solid accent colour background (cyan, blue, lime, etc.). A massive black number (01, 02, 03, etc.) bleeds off the left edge of the slide, while "SECTION TITLE" appears in large black condensed type on the right. The composition is minimal but high-impact.

**When to Use:**
- Transition between major sections
- Chapter markers
- Agenda section headers
- Breaking up long presentations

**Key Elements:**
1. **Background:** Solid accent colour (choose from palette)
2. **Section Number:** Enormous VC Nudge Black, black, bleeds left
3. **Section Title:** Large VC Nudge Black, black, uppercase, right of number
4. **Branding:** Vertical "HOWATSON+COMPANY" on left edge (in black)

**Customization:**
- Choose background colour from approved palette
- Update section number (01-99)
- Change section title text
- Keep typography and layout exact

**Colour Rotation Suggestion:**
- Section 1: Cyan (#76DBEC)
- Section 2: Blue (#3D72FE)
- Section 3: Lime (#E0EA53)
- Section 4: Pink (#E972E2)
- Section 5: Green (#00B948)

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide3.png`

---

## Layout 4: White Background Divider / Statement Slide

**Visual Description:**
A minimal white slide with a large black headline centered or positioned in the upper portion. Can include a small amount of body text below. Creates breathing room and emphasizes key statements or quotes.

**When to Use:**
- Quotes or key statements
- Section transitions
- Breathing room between dense content
- Emphasizing single ideas

**Key Elements:**
1. **Background:** White
2. **Main Headline:** Large VC Nudge Black, black, uppercase
3. **Optional Subtext:** Smaller Manrope Light text below
4. **Branding:** Vertical "HOWATSON+COMPANY" on left edge

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide4.png`, `Slide5.png`, `Slide6.png`

---

## Layout 5: 3-Column Content Slide

**Visual Description:**
A white slide with a large headline at the top and three equal-width columns below. Each column has a "Heading 2" with underline, followed by 2-3 paragraphs of body text. This layout is text-dense but well-organized.

**When to Use:**
- Content-heavy pages
- Comparing three options/ideas/features
- Process steps (3-step processes)
- Detailed explanations with multiple facets

**Key Elements:**
1. **Background:** White
2. **Main Headline:** VC Nudge Black, 60-80pt, black, uppercase, top left
3. **Three Equal Columns:**
   - Column headers with underlines
   - Body text in Manrope Light
   - Equal widths with consistent gutters
4. **Branding:** Vertical "HOWATSON+COMPANY" on left edge

**Customization:**
- Update headline
- Change column headers
- Replace lorem ipsum with real content
- Keep column widths equal

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide7.png`

---

## Layout 6: 2-Column Content Slide

**Visual Description:**
Similar to 3-column layout but with only two columns, allowing for more text per column or larger font sizes.

**When to Use:**
- Comparing two options
- Pro/con lists
- Before/after
- Denser text content

**Key Elements:**
Same as 3-column layout but with two wider columns.

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide8.png`, `Slide9.png`

---

## Layout 7: 5-Column Image Grid

**Visual Description:**
A white slide with a headline at top and five equal-width columns below. Each column contains a square image, a heading, a subheading, and 2-3 lines of body text. Creates a clean, gallery-like presentation of related items.

**When to Use:**
- Photo galleries with captions
- Product showcases (5 products)
- Team member profiles
- Feature highlights
- Project portfolios

**Key Elements:**
1. **Background:** White
2. **Main Headline:** VC Nudge Black, 60-80pt, black, uppercase
3. **Five Equal Columns:**
   - Square image (1:1 ratio)
   - Heading 1 (Manrope Bold)
   - Subheading (Manrope)
   - Body text (Manrope Light, 2-4 lines)
4. **Branding:** Vertical "HOWATSON+COMPANY" on left edge

**Image Treatment:**
- Square aspect ratio (1:1)
- Consistent sizing across all five columns
- Can be photos, illustrations, or beige placeholders

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide10.png`

---

## Layout 8: Content with Small Images (3-4 columns)

**Visual Description:**
Similar to image grid but with smaller images and potentially more columns. Images are thumbnail-sized.

**When to Use:**
- Icons with descriptions
- Small product shots
- Visual bullet points
- Reference materials

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide11.png`, `Slide12.png`, `Slide13.png`, `Slide14.png`, `Slide15.png`

---

## Layout 9: Split Image/Text (60/40)

**Visual Description:**
A white slide split into two sections. The left 40% contains a headline and body text. The right 60% features a large full-bleed image that extends to the slide edge.

**When to Use:**
- Showcasing single large images
- Photo + description layouts
- Case studies
- Product features with visuals
- Before/after comparisons

**Key Elements:**
1. **Background:** White
2. **Left Section (40%):**
   - Main headline (VC Nudge Black, large)
   - Body text (Manrope Light, 2-3 paragraphs)
3. **Right Section (60%):**
   - Large image, full bleed to right edge
   - Can extend top to bottom
4. **Branding:** Vertical "HOWATSON+COMPANY" on left edge

**Image Guidelines:**
- High resolution (300 DPI)
- Can be portrait or landscape orientation
- Should be impactful and high-quality
- Greyscale or full colour both work

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide16.png`, `Slide17.png`

---

## Layout 10: Full-Bleed Image

**Visual Description:**
A slide dominated by a single large image that fills most or all of the slide, with minimal or no text.

**When to Use:**
- Dramatic visual impact
- Photography showcases
- Emotional moments
- Visual breaks

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide18.png`, `Slide19.png`, `Slide20.png`

---

## Layout 11: Quote or Centered Text

**Visual Description:**
Large centered text on a solid colour or white background. Often used for impactful quotes, statistics, or key messages.

**When to Use:**
- Pull quotes
- Statistics
- Key takeaways
- Mission statements

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide21.png`

---

## Layout 12: Video Storyboard (4×2 Grid)

**Visual Description:**
A white slide with a headline at top and eight video frames arranged in a 4-column × 2-row grid. Each frame is 16:9 aspect ratio with beige background placeholders. Below each frame is a two-line caption describing the scene and voiceover.

**When to Use:**
- Video storyboards
- Animation planning
- Film script visualization
- Shot lists
- Multi-screen displays

**Key Elements:**
1. **Background:** White
2. **Main Headline:** VC Nudge Black, 60-80pt, black (e.g., "60\" BRAND FILM")
3. **Grid Layout:**
   - 4 columns × 2 rows = 8 frames
   - Each frame is 16:9 (widescreen)
   - Beige placeholder backgrounds (#EDDAC1)
   - Consistent spacing
4. **Frame Captions:**
   - Line 1: Scene description (Manrope Light, regular)
   - Line 2: "VO: [voiceover]" (Manrope, bold)
5. **Branding:** Vertical "HOWATSON+COMPANY" on left edge

**Customization:**
- Update frame count (could be 6, 8, 9, or 12 frames)
- Replace placeholders with actual frames/screenshots
- Update scene descriptions and voiceover text
- Maintain consistent aspect ratio

**Caption Format:**
```
Cut to someone sitting in their room
VO: We show VO in bold
```

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide22.png`, `Slide23.png`

---

## Layout 13: Full-Screen Chart/Diagram

**Visual Description:**
A white or coloured background slide with a large chart, diagram, or infographic as the primary content.

**When to Use:**
- Data visualization
- Process diagrams
- Organization charts
- Infographics

**Reference:** See `screenshots/Slide24.png`

---

## Layout Selection Decision Tree

**Need high impact?**
→ Cover Slide, Section Divider, or Full-Bleed Image

**Need to present data/information?**
→ 3-Column Content, Image Grid, or Chart

**Need to showcase visuals?**
→ Split Image/Text, Image Grid, or Full-Bleed Image

**Need to transition sections?**
→ Section Divider or Statement Slide

**Need to plan/storyboard?**
→ Video Storyboard Grid

**Need guidelines/rules?**
→ Brand Guidelines Layout

---

## Mixing Layouts in a Presentation

**Recommended Flow:**

1. **Opening:** Cover Slide (Layout 1)
2. **Intro/Rules:** Brand Guidelines (Layout 2) [optional]
3. **Section 1:** Section Divider (Layout 3)
4. **Content:** Mix of 3-Column (Layout 5), Split Image/Text (Layout 9)
5. **Visual Break:** Full-Bleed Image (Layout 10) or Statement (Layout 4)
6. **Section 2:** Section Divider (different colour)
7. **Content:** Image Grid (Layout 7), 2-Column (Layout 6)
8. **Storyboard:** Video Grid (Layout 12) [if needed]
9. **Closing:** Statement Slide or Quote (Layout 11)

**Pacing:**
- Use section dividers every 5-8 content slides
- Insert visual breaks (full-bleed images, statements) every 3-4 text-heavy slides
- Alternate between text-heavy and visual-heavy layouts
- Don't use the same layout more than 2-3 times in a row

---

## Design Principles Summary

**Consistency:**
- Always use vertical branding element
- Maintain colour palette
- Use correct fonts throughout
- Keep grids aligned

**Contrast:**
- High contrast between text and backgrounds
- Bold typography stands out
- White space creates breathing room

**Hierarchy:**
- Large headlines grab attention
- Body text is readable but secondary
- Small labels are subtle

**Impact:**
- Simple layouts are powerful
- One idea per slide when possible
- Let images and typography do the work
- Don't overcrowd slides

**Brand:**
- Howatson+Company identity is strong
- Typography is distinctive
- Colour palette is bold but refined
- Vertical branding reinforces identity
