How to Find and Import Images, Icons, and Photos into PowerPoint

Whether you’re a founder, analyst, salesperson, or a marketer, creating a beautiful PowerPoint presentation can be the single most impactful part of delivering your message.

Mastering the art of designing a great set of slides is what leads to compelling presentation decks, company overviews, sales presentations, proposals, and department reports. 

Visually sharp pitch decks are more likely to win confidence from investors, earn you high value enterprise customers, or earn loyalty from your team. Almost always, this means adding high quality stock photos or vector symbols to your PowerPoint file.

But if you’re here, you may be wondering: Where can I get free stock photos and icon graphics for my PowerPoint slides?

Noun Project offers a vast collection of royalty-free icons and stock images that can make your presentations more cohesive, professional, and visually appealing. The library of images is perfect for business communicators like you who need quick, easy, and consistent design solutions without spending hours searching for the perfect content. Most content is available to download free as long as you provide attribution to the artist, or you can upgrade to unlock the entire collection and use any image without providing attribution. With a Creator Pro subscription you can also download full icon sets at the click of a button.

Let’s dive in and make your PPT slides look fantastic.

Why Use Icons and Photos in Your Presentations?

Icons and photos can transform your slides by breaking up text, illustrating points, and adding a visual story that keeps your audience engaged. 

Here are a few reasons why incorporating these elements is crucial:

1. Enhance Visual Appeal: Well-chosen visuals can make your presentation more engaging and easier to follow.
   
2. Illustrate Complex Ideas: Icons and photos can help simplify and clarify complex concepts, making your content more accessible.
   
3. Brand Consistency: Using consistent imagery helps reinforce your brand identity.
   
4. Save Time: Having experience designing slides can save you time in the future, whether you reuse a template or simply understand how to do it faster.

Step-by-Step Guide to Importing Icons and Photos in PowerPoint

Importing Icons from Noun Project

Here’s how to import icons from our platform:

1. Visit Noun Project and log in to your free or Pro account.
2. Use the search bar to find the icon you need.
3. Once you find the perfect icon, click on it to open the icon page.
4. Download the icon in your preferred format – and note that now Powerpoint supports SVG files, so you can download SVG icons that can be recolored within the Powerpoint app.
5. Open your PowerPoint (PPT) presentation.
6. Go to the slide where you want to add the icon.
7. Navigate to the Insert tab and select Pictures.
8. Choose This Device and locate the downloaded icon file on your computer.
9. Click Insert to add the icon to your slide.
10. Resize and position the icon as needed.

BONUS: If you find yourself building slide deck presentations frequently, and need a faster way to plug in icons, you can check out our Office Plugin.

2. Importing Photos

Importing Photos from Noun Project

Here’s how to import photos from our platform:

1. Visit Noun Project and log in to your free or Pro account.
2. Use the search bar to find the photo you need.
3. Once you find the perfect photo, click on it to open the photo page.
4. Download the photo in your preferred resolution.
5. Open your PowerPoint presentation.
6. Go to the slide where you want to add the photo.
7. Navigate to the Insert tab and select Pictures.
8. Choose This Device and locate the downloaded photo file on your computer.
9. Click Insert to add the photo to your slide.
10. Resize and position the photo as needed.

Tips for Effective Use of Icons and Photos

1. Maintain Consistency: Use a consistent style for your icons and photos to ensure a cohesive look throughout your presentation.
   
2. Optimize Size and Position: Ensure that your visuals are appropriately sized and positioned to complement your content without overpowering it. If you are presenting in-person and sharing the deck on a screen, you’ll be better off using larger text and images. If it’s for digital consumption, you can choose smaller sizes.
   
3. Use High-Quality Images: Always use high-resolution photos and icons to avoid pixelation and maintain a professional appearance. Sloppy visuals will not impress your audience.
   
4. Limit the Number of Visuals: Avoid cluttering your slides with too many icons and photos. Use them strategically to strengthen your message.

Conclusion

Importing icons and photos into PowerPoint is a simple yet powerful way to make your presentations drive more impact. With the vast collection of free icons and diverse stock photos available at Noun Project, you can easily find and incorporate beautiful images to make your slides more engaging. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to creating professional, polished presentations that effectively communicate your message.Ready to make your presentations look stellar? Explore our collection of millions of icons and photos and start creating stunning slides!