In consulting, perception is everything. Well…It’s a lot. Your slides aren’t just deliverables; they’re often seen as products that reflect your firm’s professionalism and attention to detail. That means even small design choices like fonts matter.
While many consultants are restricted by corporate branding guidelines, understanding font personalities helps ensure your decks remain professional, clear, and client-friendly.
Corporate Constraints: Fonts You Can (and Can’t) Use
Most firms enforce strict style guides, often requiring consultants to use custom fonts or widely available system fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Segoe UI. Some consultants prefer more modern options like Fira Sans, Open Sans, or Source Sans Pro, but compatibility issues often mean playing it safe is the best move.
When working within brand restrictions, the key is choosing the right font from your allowed options and ensuring readability across different screen sizes and formats.
The Four Font Personalities in Consulting Presentations
1. The Boardroom Executive (For Titles & Headings)
Strong, bold, and authoritative—best for slide titles that need to stand out.
Examples: Arial Black, Franklin Gothic Heavy, Impact, Segoe UI Black
Use for: Titles, key takeaways, and executive summaries.
Avoid overuse—too much bold text can feel heavy or aggressive.
2. The Trusted Advisor (For Body Text)
Professional, neutral, and easy to read—essential for clarity in dense content.
Examples: Segoe UI, Calibri, Franklin Gothic Medium, Myriad Pro
Use for: Body text, bullet points, and explanations.
Best practice: Keep text 24pt or larger for readability on screens.
3. The Key Emphasizer (For Highlights & Callouts)
Slightly heavier fonts that help key messages stand out without overpowering.
Examples: Arial Rounded MT Bold, Franklin Gothic Demi, Segoe UI Semibold
Use for: Callout boxes, subtitles, and key stats.
Tip: Instead of switching fonts, bold or italicize key words in the same font family for a more polished look.
4. The Wildcard (Use With Caution!)
Handwritten or decorative fonts can feel unprofessional and out of place in client-facing decks.
Examples: Comic Sans (avoid), Bradley Hand, Broadway
Use for: Internal team updates, informal presentations.
Strict no-go for client slides—stick to corporate-approved fonts.
Best Practices for Consulting Presentations
- Follow corporate branding—straying too far can make slides look off-brand or unprofessional.
- Stick to two fonts max—one for titles, one for body text.
- Ensure contrast—dark text on a light background is safest.
- Test readability—if it’s hard to read from the back of the room, increase font size.
Final Takeaway
Clients judge your professionalism not just by your insights, but by how you present them. Whether you’re restricted to Arial, Calibri, or Segoe UI, or have more flexibility, choosing the right font ensures your slides reinforce your credibility, not take away from it.
