How to Prepare a Poster

Liping Liu

Introduction

The purpose of a research poster is to present information on current research that often is not totally complete or to present information on methods of observations that are the result of ongoing research.

To accomplish this task, common sense and a few visual considerations will take precedence.

Organization and Visualization

Type size: A good rule of thumb is to use a 16 to 18 point type for the text.

Photos and Drawings: 4" x 5" photos are a good size; Drawings are best if at least 8" x 10".

Quantitative results need to be placed in the format of a figure or a table to show relationships.

Qualitative results can be presented in different formats, the most striking being clear images of results.

Poster layout

Include the following sections (in this order): – Abstract– Objectives– Materials and Methods– Results– Summary– References– Acknowledgments

Construction of the Poster

Use Microsoft PowerPoint. You will basically be making a single huge slide, sections in columns (3).

Know the capabilities of your poster printer. Most print in landscape format with a width of 48 inches and a height of 36 inches.

Add text boxes and manipulate them to make your different sections, add images and figures (don't forget figure legends!).

Notice they are all small as the slide is so big.

Make the Poster Attractive

Add visually appealing elements to your poster.

Increase the border width and color around figures and boxes.

Add a background image that is both pertinent and attractive (electron micrograph, aerial photograph, etc.).

Spell Check!

There's nothing worse than seeing a mis-spelled word or mis-placed figure in an otherwise great looking poster. Before printing the poster make sure everything is in place and correct.

Print

Find out how to use your poster printer. Make sure that in the printer computer there

is nothing changed in your poster. Stand at the printer while it's printing to make

sure the paper unrolls correctly. Make sure to transport it in a roll tube as

bending the corners makes the poster look less professional.

Further Reading

Google search “student research poster how to prepare”

http://library.buffalo.edu/asl/guides/bio/posters.html

http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/cpurrin1/posteradvice.htm

Google search for template “poster template ppt”

Samples

http://www.flickr.com/groups/368476@N21/pool/