How to design a research poster

What do you notice about this photo?

Anatomy of a research poster

• Title: concise, clear & attention-grabbing

• Background/Introduction: answers “why” (what is your thesis?)

• Methodology: answers “how” (where did you get your information; how did you analyze it?)

• Results: answers “what” (what did you learn based on that information?)

• Conclusions: answers “so what?” and “what next?” (how do your conclusions advance your thesis & knowledge of the topic for your audience?)

But a poster is not a mini-paper! It’s a VISUAL form!

Other possible structures for a poster:

Telling a story:

• Who?

• What?

• Where?

• When?

• Why?

• How?

Reflecting on an experience:

• Experience

• What?

• So what?

• Now what?

How posters are evaluated• Visual appeal • Does it draw the audience in to learn more?• is there an appropriate amount of information? • Is it well organized? • Are images/visuals used effectively? • What visual impression does the poster create?

• Content • Is the thesis clearly defined? Well argued? • Are the take-home messages clear?

• Presentation• Is the poster/presentation appropriate for its intended audience?• Is it accessible (e.g. jargon defined?) • Presenter – ability to answer questions, appropriate tone, pace,

etc.

Why I can’t just give you a template for a “good” poster.

• Your design should be driven by your message & audience, not by a pre-fab template.

• Not all templates are examples of “good” posters – and our judgement is often subjective.

• How the poster is presented is just as important as how a poster looks.

• Rule of thumb: start with a template, but let your key messages guide how you use it.

Example posters

• http://www.slideshare.net/ResearchMethodsUCM/peers-poster-examples-from-research-methods-2

• https://www.facebook.com/UofAArts/photos/pb.110181333764.-2207520000.1422574070./10153357866483765/?type=3&theater

• https://www.facebook.com/UofAArts/photos/pb.110181333764.-2207520000.1422574070./10153357866278765/?type=3&theater

• https://www.facebook.com/UofAArts/photos/pb.110181333764.-2207520000.1422574070./10153357865803765/?type=3&theater

• https://aresty.rutgers.edu/about-aresty/spotlight/2014-best-poster-winners

• https://ugs.utexas.edu/our/poster/samples (has feedback)• https://undergradresearch.wustl.edu/symposium/making-poster/sampl

es-posters• https://www.eposters.net/posters/ (large, open archive of STEM

posters)• https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/posters/ExamplePosters.html (has

feedback)

Identify your key messages

• Ideally, not more than 3 take-home points

• What can you convey in ~3 min. presentation?

• Remember: it’s not what you say, it’s what the audience remembers.

Build around your visuals

• Let your visuals tell the story – how does your poster design help your presentation?

• Create a visual hierarchy

• Choose graphics that advance your key messages

• What can your audience conclude at a glance?

Templates/Software

• Use the software you’re most comfortable with:• PowerPoint (most common)• Keynote (Apple users; most PowerPoint

templates will work)• Google Slides (double check page size settings)• Adobe Illustrator (more advanced)

• Template is a single slide in the size & orientation required

• 36” x 48” is a common size

Download a template

• print.ualberta.ca/

• Log in with CCID & password

• Template Category

• Choose a 36” x 48” template (in any orientation)

• Click “Purchase” (cost is $0.00)

• Download & open the file

Choosing or modifying a template

• Most templates have too much text (don’t just fill in the text boxes!)

• Solid color backgrounds are more expensive to print (requires heavier photo-quality paper)

• Note font sizes:• Title: At least 60pt bold• Headings: at least 36pt bold (often 40-50pt)• Main text: 28-32pt • References/captions: 24-28pt

Choosing a font

• Sans serif (e.g. Arial, Calibri) is good for headings and short blocks of text (e.g. bullets)

• Serif (e.g. Times New Roman, Georgia) is good for longer paragraphs

• Avoid script fonts (e.g. Blackadder ITC, BrushScript)

• Keep it professional (no Comic Sans!)• Note to PC & Apple collaborators –

non-standard fonts may not cross platforms.

Choosing colours

• Avoid stacking primary colours

More is not better

● Be consistent

● Think about what works with your other visuals.

● Note: colours on screen may not translate exactly in print

Avoid gradients

Avoid transparencies

Choosing visuals

• Copyright – can I use this image?

• Ualberta Copyright Office

• https://www.ualberta.ca/copyright

• Quality – is it large enough for my poster?

• Use highest quality images possible

Get feedback!

• Supervisor

• Colleagues/classmates within your discipline

• Colleagues/classmates outside your discipline (if you are communicating with an multi-disciplinary audience)

• URI

Before you print

• Preview at full size

• Proofread

• Save as a PDF

• Double check the page size (36”x48”)

• Proofread

• Send for printing

Poster presentation tips – attracting an audience

• Stand to one side of your poster – don’t block the audience’s view

• Make eye contact

• Open, approachable body posture

• Put your devices away (unless they are part of your presentation!)

Poster presentation tips – presenting

• Project your voice!

• Questions are good icebreakers – find out what your audience knows about the topic, gauge their understanding

• Keep your presentation to ~3-4 minutes

• Use your poster as a visual aid:– do not read directly from your poster

– do not expect the audience to read your poster – guide them through it

Poster presentation tips – answering questions

• Be sure to invite your audience to ask questions

• Listen carefully – be sure you are answering their question; ask for clarification if necessary

• If you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to say so – sometimes this can open up more interesting conversations (and new research ideas!)

Poster presentation tips – what if? • Someone joins halfway through your

presentation?

• Someone wants to have a longer conversation and it is preventing you from engaging others?

• People are crowding your physical space?

Poster presentation tips – your comfort & convenience

• Prepare well in advance

• Bring water

• Wear comfortable clothing/shoes

• Bring tacks (if not provided by the organizer), elastic or poster tube to roll/store your poster afterward

• Make a handout of your poster to distribute (if desired)

• Post your contact information & presentation time on your poster board (if desired)

Where to get more help

• Handout

• URI

• U of A Library (Undergraduate Research LibGuide)

• Academic Success Centre