You're already using a theme in your document, even if you don't know it.
The default Office theme is where this color palette comes from... also your theme fonts...
and last but not least, shape styles.
So what exactly is a theme?
Well, basically, it's a set of design elements that can be applied to your document to give
it a consistent, professional look.
To get started, go to the Design tab...
Click the Themes command and then mouse over the options in the drop down menu for a preview.
As you can see, the theme elements I've used are changing, like the fonts and colors.
To apply a theme, all you have to do is click the thumbnail... and the change will take
effect immediately.
Themes are also extremely easy to change once you've applied one, so you can try different
styles and designs anytime you want.
If we go back to the Command, for example... and switch to a different theme... you can
see how easy it is to completely change the look of your document.
Let's try this one.
You can also quickly customize your current theme by using the Color and Font Commands
on the right.
Just click the Command...And pick one you like... or click Customize Colors to make
your own color scheme...
The same goes for Fonts, just click the Command to pick one...I think this feature is really
neat, because it lets you make changes, without giving up the overall look of the design.
Keep in mind, trying out different themes like this will only work if you take advantage
of what they have to offer.
That means sticking to the built-in theme elements whenever possible.
Let's take a look at what happens if I change my title text to a non-theme color, for instance.
We'll go with the dark red here at the bottom of the menu.
I'm also going to change this to a non-theme font.
At this point, if we go back to the Design tab, and choose a different theme... you'll
see that the text is going to keep the formatting I applied, no matter what—even if it doesn't
work well with the design.
Now, this doesn't mean you shouldn't use non-theme elements in your document.
It's just good to know how they work, so you can use them to your advantage.
Themes are a great option for creating consistent, professional-looking documents, even if you
don't have much experience as a designer.
They're easy to use and can be changed at any time, so don't be afraid to experiment!