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Presenting tomorrow at the UNLV Science Camp for select high school students on creating scientific posters.
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Creating Scientific Posters
Ed NagelhoutProfessor of Rhetoric and Writing
Science Camp
Rhetorical Triangle
Basic Visual Design
Understanding basic visual design helps to present "clean" documents and communicate more effectively.
Four Basic Principles:1. Contrast2. Repetition3. Alignment4. Proximity
Contrast
Use the principle of contrast to create strong dynamic differences among elements that are different.
If it is different, make it very different.
Contrast
Describe Contrast in this Photo
http://unbounce.com/photos/color-and-contrast-for-cta.jpg
Repetition
Use the principle of repetition to repeat selected elements throughout your poster.
This can help give your poster unity and organization.
Repetition
http://whatculture.com
/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/w
hat_ever_happened_to_baby_jane.jpg
Describe Repetition in this Movie Poster
Alignment
Use the principle of alignment to connect elements visually (through invisible lines) on your poster.
Grids are very useful for achieving good alignment.
This will give your poster a clean, well-organized look.
AlignmentDescribe Alignment in this Poster
http://qph.is.quoracdn.net/main-qim
g-c11ab4a7656bed3f57877d634b63ba97?convert_to_webp=true
Science Camp
Use the principle of proximity to ensure that related items are grouped together.
People will tend to interpret items together or near to each other as belonging to the same group.
Science Camp
Describe Proximity in this Concert Poster
http://ww
w.jlibby.com
/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/lolla_3.jpg
Basic Reading Patterns
Simple Quadrant Test
Vertical Lines Test
Scientific Poster Tips
Keep it Simple!• Make ONE clear, major point• Follow basic visual design
principles• Place important information,
like conclusions, in visually effective places
• Make your findings obvious on multiple levels
Scientific Poster Tips
Colors and Fonts• Limit colors to 2 or 3• Limit fonts to 2 (Headers and Text)• Maximize Contrast of fonts/colors/background • Use highlighting selectively• Making reading (and seeing) easy • BIGGER IS BETTER!
Scientific Poster Tips
Text Thinking• Text should not be TEXT
• Always left justify• Include Methods &
Include Findings, but simplify descriptions
• Short text lines are easier to read
• Make use of headings, highlighted key words, and bullet points
Scientific Poster Tips
Pictures and Photos• Pictures can add detail• Pictures can help tell
the story• Pictures can provide
clarification• Pictures should not
stand alone• Pictures can be sized
and adjusted
Scientific Poster Tips
Figures and Graphs• Keep figures and
graphs simple• Avoid “chart junk”• Create titles with a
message• Make clear
connections to findings and other elements in the poster
Science Camp
Reading Posters
which they the will view the poster.
Different distances require different sized text. Your primary message should be clear at a range of distances.
Effective scientific poster design must consider not only the ways that viewers “read” the poster, but also the range of distances from
Poster Reading Patterns
Effective poster design must not only account for key visual components, but also the ways that key terms and phrases catch the reader’s attention, especially at a distance.
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Science Camp
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For More Information:
Designing conference posters: http://colinpurrington.com/tips/academic/posterdesign
Scientific Posters Tutorials http://www.makesigns.com/tutorials/
Dartmouth Guide to Designing & Printing a Research Posterhttp://www.dartmouth.edu/~ugar/undergrad/posterinstructions.html
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