How I Make My Presentations Unforgettable With Motion Graphics

I’ve always believed that a presentation shouldn’t just inform it should move people. That’s why I treat every keynote like a performance. At Transitions Academy 2023 in Orlando, I brought that philosophy to life. And in this video, I break down exactly how I design unforgettable presentations using motion graphics and intentional visuals.

Great Presentations Are Designed, Not Assembled

Too often, presentations are rushed together last-minute. But I approach mine like an athlete preparing for a big game hours, days, weeks of work for a single impactful performance.

A world-class keynote deserves world-class preparation. That’s where motion graphics come in not as a gimmick, but as a tool to tell stories, emphasize moments, and surprise the audience.

Use Motion Graphics Sparingly, But Strategically

Motion is powerful when used with purpose. If every slide is animated, nothing stands out. But when a subtle movement hits at just the right time? It sticks.

I use motion graphics to build anticipation, to draw focus, or to deliver that wow moment. The key is restraint, letting motion elevate the story without overwhelming it.

Consistency Creates Confidence

For this talk, I leaned into a purple-pink color palette that matched the mood and tone of the event. Why? Because consistency builds trust. It creates an emotional through-line that keeps the audience engaged without even realizing why.

A cohesive visual identity colors, fonts, transitions shows the audience you’ve put thought into every detail.

Templates Are Your Secret Weapon

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. I use templates all the time. There are amazing tools and motion graphics assets already out there use them.

What matters isn’t building everything from scratch. What matters is how you tell the story, how you stitch visuals into your narrative, and how you create something that feels fresh and alive.

Templates help you move faster and think bigger.

The Power of Fun and Surprise

Let’s be real: People are easily distracted. If you want to hold their attention, entertain them. Add a twist. A moment of humor. A surprising animation. Something that makes them sit up and say, Whoa, I didn’t expect that.

These moments build emotional connection. And emotional connection is what makes a message stick.

You’re Not Just a Speaker You’re an Experience Designer

Being on stage is a privilege. People gave you their time and attention and you have to earn it.

That means going beyond information delivery. It means crafting an immersive, concert-like experience that audiences feel. From visuals to timing to tone, everything should work together to amplify the impact.

High-Quality Visuals = High-Quality Experience

When everything comes together motion, visuals, message, energy the keynote transforms.

It feels more like a concert than a talk. People don’t just hear the message, they feel it.

And that’s the goal: to craft something so thoughtfully designed that it becomes unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

A great presentation isn’t about dazzling slides or flashy animations, it's about intentional design that brings the message to life.

When I walk on stage, I’m not just delivering a keynote, I'm curating an experience. Every motion graphic, every color choice, every moment of surprise is part of something bigger: a performance that respects the audience’s time and attention.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the effort you put in behind the scenes is what creates magic on stage. Whether you're speaking to five people or five thousand, your presentation deserves that level of care.

Because when your visuals hit, your timing lands, and your story resonates, that's when the presentation becomes unforgettable.

About the Author:

Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.