Can You See My Mouse?

 

Not easily!

 

The standard Mac and Windows mouse cursors are too small and too insubstantial for effective demos. Both display a thin black outline and white body which are fine for your own work. After all, you (generally) know where your mouse is and where it is going!

 

However, that thin outline and white body can be tough to see as a demo audience member. 

 

Solution? 

 

Increase its size and fill it in to make it stand out clearly. I’d recommend increasing the size 2x and use black for the fill. Here are instructions for the current versions of Windows and iOS (thanks, Google!):

 

Windows 11: “You can change the mouse cursor in Windows 11 through Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse > Additional mouse settings, or by going to Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch. The first method lets you change entire pointer schemes or customize individual cursors by browsing for .cur or .ani files. The accessibility option allows you to quickly adjust the pointer's size and color.”

 

Macintosh: “To change the cursor on a Mac, go to System Settings > Accessibility > Display > Pointer to adjust its size and color.”

 

Do it now!

 

Next, share your screen with a colleague (over the web) or grab a colleague (in office) and ask for feedback: How easy is it to see the mouse? Too large, too small? Adjust and refine!

 

Want more tips on mousing and related? See Chapter 15 “Style” in Great Demo!