Flip chart presentations are sluggish versions of the comic flip books you may have created in school, but the idea is the same: successive images. Each flip chart page should stand alone, but what follows and precedes is equally important. One strategy for border design is to add subtle changes as your presentation advances. For instance, if your presentation concerns the marketability of a new product, you can place a pie chart in the margins that shows how market share may increase over time. For children, a simpler approach may suffice; a presentation on creativity may include a solid border that morphs into squiggly lines, a thought bubble or light bulb.
Not all presentations demand consistency. For instance, a presentation on the "dos" and don'ts" of fire safety may employ borders that are straight-edged -- for following the rules -- and jagged, when illustrating things to avoid. Contrast does not imply opposition, but can incorporate any number of shapes and designs, so long as the borders match the theme of your presentation. For instance, a presentation on finding the area of circles, squares and triangles could employ those very shapes for borders.
Borders can sometimes distract viewers from your message. A busy border may draw more attention than the words, charts or diagrams on your flip chart. Think of a presentation regarding corporate downsizing and mass layoffs. For such a serious subject, it may be inappropriate to use shifting, contrasting or unusual borders. This does not imply a square, drab border. For instance, a rounded square or soft curve in your border may soothe the tension of a hard subject.
Black borders are a great way to emphasize line, but they lack the ability to set the mood for your presentation. For instance, a serious presentation on declining sales can be softened with cool, soothing colors like blue, aquamarine or sea-foam green. Warm colors, such as reds, oranges or intense violets, can help express excitement or emphasize danger. Shift the chroma, or color intensity, to build your presentation to a climax. Likewise, a variety of colors can emphasize the diversity of your topic, such as a presentation on different religions from around the world.