Making Posters for Conferences and Events: Getting to the Point

Why doing poster presentation? An advertisement of your hard work Impress others Sell your ideas Persuade others Land yourself a job …

It’s just an illustrated abstract Explain why your work is important. Describe the objectives of your work. Briefly explain the methods or approaches. Succinctly state results and conclusions.

It’s just an illustrated abstract

How do I get months and years of research onto my poster? Your poster is a short story. Describe a few major points. Arouse the reader’s interest to read on. Limit it to 250 words.

Who’s my audience? Provide context for your work. Explain the big picture and why the problem is important. Use plain language to present your work. Avoid jargon and acronyms unless you're really positive that yours will be a specialist-only audience. Interpret your findings

Less is the best Your goal is to convey a clear message and support it with a compelling combination of images and short blocks of text. What is the one thing you want your audience to learn? If it doesn't reinforce your message, leave it out!! Make the strongest statements your data will support.

Keep it simple Ask yourself which details are absolutely essential Focus on one message. Omit anything that is not essential. Edit text carefully - simplify verbiage, reduce sentence complexity.

Layout

I could actually read this

Visual gravity

Easy for the eye to follow Supply cues to help viewers follow your presentation. Visual attractiveness.

Easy for the eye to follow

Your poster title: "Think Big! Really BIG! Your biggest impact!

Push your idea to its extreme No one will remember your work and idea when you try to stay in the middle. This is another poster doing X. Push your idea to the limit. Leave a deep and lasting impression.

Heading Note how headings convey the message - viewers in a hurry need not read further.

Conclusions first! Put the most important part first! Short and to the point! Upper left hand corner.

Can anyone read “ your body text?

Text sizes: Title: 85 point Authors: 56pt Sub-headings: 36pt Body text: 24pt Captions: 18pt

Images and graphs say much more than words

Keep posters visual!

Creative data visualization

Surprise people. Give unique insights. Make complex data simple to understand (not the other way). Don’t confuse people.

Using color to engage your readers 2-3 colors, no more! Dark type on light color background.

Whoa! Where’s my sunglasses?

Be aware of busy backgrounds

Your contact info!!! Without it you’ll become “ya know, those guys with the awesome poster” Include all contact info: Mail address Phone

Edit, Edit, Edit and "Evaluate! Edit all text to simplify verbiage, to reduce sentence complexity, and to delete details. If it's not relevant to your message, remove it!

You’re not done yet… " Prepare a short 60s introduction. Prepare a 3-5 minute verbal explanation.

Enthusiasm You should be excited about your research. If not, talk with your advisor. Show your enthusiasm. Others can tell you are proud of what you have accomplished. Your eye should sparkle.

Acknowledgement