This article was written by Sebastian, Design Manager at 24Slides Peru, as part of 24Slides’ #StorytellerProgram.
A few months ago, I was thrilled to receive an invitation to speak at Tarpuy, a powerful initiative led by Universidad Continental in Peru, supported by 24Slides, the company I’m proud to be part of.
The name ‘Tarpuy’, inspired by the Quechua language, translates to “to sow and grow.” And that’s exactly what this program does. It plants the seeds of knowledge and helps new ideas take root and flourish.
It’s designed to guide early-stage entrepreneurs through key topics like finance, branding, marketing, and digital communication. When 24Slides was invited to contribute to a workshop on presentation design, I knew right away I had to say yes.
This wasn’t just another design session. It was a chance to empower people who are chasing a dream and to share one of the most valuable business tools I know: a compelling, well-designed presentation.
Discovering the Real Challenge
The collaboration came together thanks to the shared mission between 24Slides and Universidad Continental. The Tarpuy program empowers students and early-stage entrepreneurs from diverse regions of Peru by providing resources, mentorship, and practical tools to strengthen their projects. It’s a space full of creativity, determination, and ideas ready to take shape.
When my team suggested that I lead the presentation design workshop, I didn’t hesitate. Teaching has always been one of my passions, and this was a great opportunity to give back while working alongside my Design Lead, Valery Salomé.
I knew this program would be challenging, not because of the content but because many participants came from areas where access to quality education is still a struggle. That reality could have been a barrier, but instead, it became the heartbeat of the experience.
From the very first day, each person brought not only their willingness to learn but also their own story, cultural lens, and resilience. Those voices and perspectives didn’t just enrich the discussions; they grounded them, making the learning journey more authentic, more human, and incredibly inspiring.
Planning the Workshop
Since the workshop was going to be held online, I knew it needed to be interactive, dynamic, and easy to follow. My audience included aspiring entrepreneurs from all kinds of backgrounds, so the content had to be both inspiring and practical. I built the session to mix theory and hands-on practice so participants could apply what they learned immediately.
Here’s what we focused on during the workshop:
- Understanding the Basics of Design: We began with core principles like alignment, contrast, hierarchy, and spacing. These concepts are the backbone of any great slide and help clarify the message.
- What Makes a Presentation Effective: I guided them through the elements that define a strong presentation: storytelling, visual consistency, simplicity, and audience awareness. We talked about how design choices affect perception and how visuals can either help or hurt your message.
- How to Organize Your Content: I showed them how to structure information logically. From title slides to conclusions, we explored how to guide the viewer’s attention step by step using layouts, flow, and visual cues.
- Designing a Slide Deck from Scratch: Using a blank PowerPoint file, I walked them through each step of building a deck from zero. I explained how to find inspiration from great templates available on websites like 24Slides Templates, customize them, and balance creativity with functionality. We talked about choosing the right colors, fonts, icons, and images.
Throughout the session, even though I couldn’t see their reactions (since it was online), I stayed connected by responding to questions and giving feedback on specific challenges they were facing in their own presentations. That interaction was one of the most rewarding parts of the whole experience. I could tell they were genuinely eager to learn and apply what we covered.
Supporting Real Projects
One of the highlights of the workshop came at the end. We decided to offer a free professional redesign of a participant’s slide deck, selected randomly through a raffle. Everyone had an equal chance to win this special benefit. The idea was to motivate them to put what they learned into practice and give one of them the opportunity to see their content elevated by our design team.
The lucky winner shared a presentation they had already created for their project. Our team at 24Slides took that content and gave it a full visual transformation. The result? A clean, impactful, and professional deck that the participant could use to pitch their idea with confidence.
It was exciting to hear how happy they were with the final result. For us, it was a way of showing them how powerful design can be in communicating value.
Reflections as a Facilitator
Looking back, this experience gave me much more than I expected. Teaching a group of entrepreneurs reminded me why I love what I do. It wasn’t just about PowerPoint or templates. It was about empowering people with tools to express themselves better and share their ideas with the world.
The energy I felt from the participants, even through a screen, was contagious. They asked thoughtful questions, shared real examples, and genuinely wanted to grow. That level of engagement made the session feel alive, even though it was fully virtual.
Initiatives like Tarpuy are powerful because they focus on growth from the inside out. Instead of just teaching business plans or marketing, they give young entrepreneurs the tools to tell their stories in a way that resonates. Being part of that process, even in a small way, was truly meaningful for me.
Too often, great ideas go unnoticed because they’re not communicated well. That’s where design steps in. It’s not about making things look pretty; it’s about making ideas visible, clear, and memorable. If these entrepreneurs can walk away knowing how to create slides that support their vision, I think we’ve already made a difference.
What I Take with Me
More than anything, I leave this experience with a renewed passion for teaching. It reminded me of the power of sharing what we know and connecting through knowledge. I learned that even in a short session, you can spark change, inspire confidence, and help people see things differently.
I hope this is just the beginning of many more initiatives like this. Personally, I’d love to keep teaching, mentoring, and supporting programs that bridge creativity and entrepreneurship.
Because when design meets purpose, amazing things happen!
