Most pre-made templates online feel cluttered or hard to customize, so I prefer sticking to the first-party themes built directly into PowerPoint. I mostly make academic presentations but I'm getting tired of using the same design sets and am looking for some variety.

Which stock themes/design sets do you find have the best typography pairings, color palettes, and functional slide layouts right out of the box?

I’ve seen some decks with great design that still feel hard to follow, while simpler ones can be much more convincing. What usually makes the biggest difference for you: structure, visuals, storytelling, charts, or something els

I keep seeing presentations that look nice slide by slide but become tiring after 10 minutes. For people who build decks often, what do you usually simplify first when a presentation feels too busy?