Effective Poster Effective Poster PresentationsPresentations

Address questions related to a Address questions related to a specific topic: specific topic: What is it about?What is it about?Why is this topic important?Why is this topic important?Why are this topic unique?Why are this topic unique?How does this relate to other How does this relate to other

topics?topics?What comes next?What comes next?

Goals of a poster presentationGoals of a poster presentation Stimulate interest and discussionStimulate interest and discussion Receive feedback on researchReceive feedback on research

OverallOverall Consider having handoutsConsider having handouts

miniatures of posterminiatures of poster additional details not included in posteradditional details not included in poster

Keep it short and simpleKeep it short and simple Remove all non-essential informationRemove all non-essential information Attract visual attention: use graphicsAttract visual attention: use graphics Aim for:Aim for:

40% text40% text60% graphics60% graphics20% empty space20% empty space

Plan the PosterPlan the PosterMake it easy to understandMake it easy to understandMake it easy to readMake it easy to readPoster should stand alonePoster should stand alone

verbal explanations should supply verbal explanations should supply details, not essentialsdetails, not essentials

Decide on one concept or questionDecide on one concept or question Determine poster sizeDetermine poster size Choose poster orientationChoose poster orientation

portraitportrait landscapelandscape

Poster LayoutPoster LayoutDetermine logical sequence for Determine logical sequence for

materialmaterialOrganize material into sectionsOrganize material into sectionsNumber sections to make flow obviousNumber sections to make flow obviousTypically, use 3 to 5 columnsTypically, use 3 to 5 columnsArrange material vertically from top Arrange material vertically from top

left corner to bottom right cornerleft corner to bottom right cornerThis makes it easier for people to read, This makes it easier for people to read,

without having to move back and forthwithout having to move back and forth

http://groups.ucanr.org/posters/Templates_for_Posters/http://www.dmst.aueb.gr/dds/rese/poster/indexw.htm/http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/examples/

Consider the Layout

Poster LayoutPoster Layout Sketch your layout and flow early in the processSketch your layout and flow early in the process

Title

Intro

Conclusion

Content should Content should include:include:

TitleTitle Authors and Affiliations (and contact Authors and Affiliations (and contact

information)information) Include full nameInclude full name

IntroductionIntroduction MethodsMethods Data and ResultsData and Results Conclusions and Future WorkConclusions and Future Work Reference and AcknowledgementsReference and Acknowledgements

(Not every poster needs to include ALL of these (Not every poster needs to include ALL of these items, but should include MOST of them!items, but should include MOST of them!

Poster TitlePoster Title

Make it interesting!Make it interesting!You want to lure people from a You want to lure people from a

distancedistanceShould be easy to read from 15 feetShould be easy to read from 15 feet If title is too long, shorten itIf title is too long, shorten it

Don’t reduce the font sizeDon’t reduce the font size

Poster TextPoster TextLeft align textLeft align textDouble spaceDouble spacePick one font and stick to itPick one font and stick to itAvoid italicsAvoid italicsUse larger/colored font for emphasisUse larger/colored font for emphasisUse bulleted points rather than Use bulleted points rather than

paragraphsparagraphs

Suggested Font SizesSuggested Font SizesTitle: Title: 96 pt96 ptAuthors:Authors: 72 pt72 ptAffiliations:Affiliations: 36-48 pt36-48 ptSection headings:Section headings: 36 pt36 ptText:Text: 24 pt24 ptAcknowledgements:Acknowledgements: 18 pt18 pt

ColorColorOne background color to unify posterOne background color to unify posterStick to muted colorsStick to muted colorsAvoid red/green combinationsAvoid red/green combinations

red/green color blindness is commonred/green color blindness is commonAvoid overusing or under-using colorAvoid overusing or under-using colorBe consistentBe consistent

GraphicsGraphics

Make large enough for Make large enough for viewing from at least 3 feet viewing from at least 3 feet awayaway

Text should support graphics, Text should support graphics, not vice versanot vice versa

Use heavier lines in tables Use heavier lines in tables and graphs for easier viewingand graphs for easier viewing