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Creating a Poster Presentation

Julie MitchellJulie.Mitchell@ubc.ca Managing LibrarianChapman Learning CommonsOverviewPurpose & elements of effective postersCommon mistakesPlanning poster content and designDelivering contentCreating it in PowerPoint

Poster PurposeSuccinct summary of workVisual representation of projectStarting point for discussionInformation source

- It gets your main points to as many people as possible

Effective PostersDelivers a clear messageHighly visualEasily read from 1-2 metres awayStand alone20% text, 40% graphics, 20% empty space

Common MistakesToo much textSmall textPoor graphicsLack of organizationObjective/main point hard to find5Common MistakesIncorrect use of colourVischeckArts & crafts postersCreating the poster in multiple platforms

8% of males and 0.5% of females have some degree of color-vision deficiency.Unless you are extremely artistic and have loads of time, avoid making the cut and paste elementary school poster, circa last century.Avoid switching between Mac and PC. It causes problems down the road, such as loss of images, formatting issues, etc.6Planning: ContentDetermine Essential conceptsLogical sequence of topicsOrganize material into sectionsConsider audience

One guideline: Keep word count below 800 words. Are the audience experts in the subject area or is it a multidisciplinary audience? Planning: ContentTypical sections:IntroductionTitleMethods/materialsResults/dataImplications/conclusionsLiterature citedAcknowledgements

DO NOT include an abstract. This is usually submitted prior to the conference/session. An abstract is the textual summary of your workthis is the visual summary.Acknowledgements, you include contributors and funding organizationsPlanning: ContentUse active voiceOmit needless words & edit ruthlesslyRemove anything extraneous to focus pointFind ways to represent text visuallyGraphsSchematic drawingsArrows

Avoid paragraphs more than 10 sentences.9Planning: DesignConfirm poster guidelines with organizerSize and format (36 x 48)Use columns: 3-4 typicalUse consistent fontsAvoid ALL CAPS or underliningUse high quality graphics

If guidelines not provided, ask. 3 x 4 for MURCbut every venue is different

Planning: DesignFont size guidelines*Title: 72-120 pointSubtitles (author names, school): 48-80 pointSection headings: 36-72 pointBody text: 24-28 point Acknowledgements: 14-18 point*Note: If you will be doubling your poster size when coverting from Powerpoint to .pdf, cutthese font sizes in half

Body text font size about 50% smaller than section headings

Planning DesignCovert feet to inches3 x 4 = 36 x 48Powerpoint allows 56 inches max (4.6 feet)May need to create it at half size Convert pdf to correct sizeInsure items are lined up (on left)Poster size usually given in inchesDelivering ContentShow up earlyMake eye contact and acknowledge people walking byHave a 3-5 minute presentation prepared Stay near your posterGive people space to read and be prepared to answer questions

Creating in Powerpoint Poster Template SitesPoster templates are a quick and easy method for starting your presentation:PosterPresentations.comMakeSigns.comCreating a Poster from ScratchIf your computer is in metric, here are some conversions:48 inches = 121.92 centimeters36 inches = 91.44 centimeters48 inches = 1219.2 millimeters36 inches = 914.4 millimeters

PowerPoint Instructionsfor MacsInsert columns using text boxes17Mac Instructions

Press play to view a video tutorial on creating a poster slide in PowerPoint on a Mac. PowerPoint Instructions for PC

Insert columns using text boxes20Closing thoughtsHang poster square and neatPlan ahead and allow ample timeHave fun showing your work!Final poster is due by March 19, 2012Each poster will be judged by 3 graduate student adjudicatorsCheck out posters of last years winners for inspiration

The Graduate Students will be using a rubric to score the posters, which will be posted on the website by March 1921