Before you rush to your computer and start designing your poster, there are a couple of things you need to do first.

You should begin by analysing the following constraints…… POSTER WHO IS YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE WHAT IS THE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR AUDIENCE WHY WILL THEY READ? HOW W ILL THEY READ? WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE POSTER?

Taking decision No 1: What format to choose? By columnBy row

Your drawing might look something like this:

Taking decision No 2: What information to include? Information included Information excluded

Title (the audience will view this first); Introduction Problem statement Method Results Recommendations Conclusion You may want to include information such as….

Eliminate any poster “noise” Remember the three second rule Poster noise happens when you add irrelevant or unnecessary information to your poster.

Attention grabbers Quick impact Catchy statement Photographs Colour Layout Graphics

Layout Plan your layout carefully Layout includes Headings and subheadings. Organising the information into sections.

There should be balance and simplicity Deciding where you want to add graphics, photographs, graphs, etc. Do not try to present too much detail. Less is more

Leaving enough white space - don't clutter the poster, it should have a clean and simple layout. Provide your name and contact details for people that might want to discuss it with you. Layout

Information should flow (viewing sequence) by column or by row, as in the following examples Hint: A numbering system in your poster will help your audience to follow the flow of the information easily

Hint: Cut all your sections out in real size and place them on a table This will help you to move and rearrange sections until you are happy with the final product.

Colour Choose colours that complement each other. Certain colours, like certain yellows, etc., are difficult to see and read Text and background colours should complement each other Make sure your foreground colour (text) is clear and soft on the eyes when combined with the background colour. Don't use too much colour on your poster - it will look busy and cluttered. Remember "less is more"

Text size & font type Visibility Ease of reading / glancing Colour contrast Foreground and background Capital letters and small letters e.g. COMMUNICATION STYLES vs Communication styles

Main title 100 point At least 4 cm high. Subheadings: 50 points between 1,5 - 2 cm high. Body text: 25 point between cm high Font size

Visuals More appealing Easy to get message across Photographs – real examples Creates interest Quality of the visual Relevant to the topic at hand Clear

Tips for displays What is a display? A display is to show or make something visible. (The Collins English Dictionary, London: Collins) Displays are used in many contexts to communicate information and draw the attention of clients.

Some practical tips: Eye catching: The most important aspect of a display is that it should be eye-catching. You have only a few seconds to get people interested in the display. Make use of colour, visuals (graphics, photographs, etc.) and a good layout (design).

Position The position or location of the display is also extremely important It should be at a place where you will receive maximum "user traffic". It is also important to move displays around and not always have them in the same spot. This will make users aware that there is a new display.

Resources used in displays You can use many different types of resources to make your display interesting and eye- catching, such as posters, pamphlets, books, periodicals, newspaper clippings, sound, computer screens with interesting visuals, etc. The type of resources you use will depend on your target audience, the purpose of the display and what you are trying to achieve. In a Library it is not possible to use sound, as it can disturb other users.