Effective Effective Posters and Posters and

Poster Poster PresentationsPresentations

E. KraemerE. KraemerCSCI 6950 - “Lunch & Learn”CSCI 6950 - “Lunch & Learn”

October 26October 26thth, 2009, 2009

Poster SessionsPoster Sessions

Opportunity to present your work in an Opportunity to present your work in an informal and interactive setting.informal and interactive setting.

Promote in-depth, one-on-one dialogue Promote in-depth, one-on-one dialogue

Strong visual impact will attract Strong visual impact will attract participants to look at your poster and hear participants to look at your poster and hear about your work.about your work.

Poster sessions at conferences.Poster sessions at conferences.

Research Day in CS Department.Research Day in CS Department.

Issues to consider ..Issues to consider ..

What will the participants know or be able to do What will the participants know or be able to do as a result of viewing you poster?as a result of viewing you poster?

What is your key message?What is your key message?

Logical sequence of info?Logical sequence of info?

Who is your audience, what do they know Who is your audience, what do they know already?already?

How will your poster be displayed and how How will your poster be displayed and how much space will you have?much space will you have?

How will you get your poster to the venue?How will you get your poster to the venue?

Focus on key idea …Focus on key idea …

Turn your idea into a succinct message that is Turn your idea into a succinct message that is self-explanatory, eye catching, and self-explanatory, eye catching, and communicates to the audience quickly. communicates to the audience quickly.

Support it with a combination of images and Support it with a combination of images and short blocks of text.short blocks of text.

Know your messageKnow your message What is the ONE thing you want your audience to What is the ONE thing you want your audience to

learn?learn? Focus on that message throughout the poster.Focus on that message throughout the poster. Edit out anything that doesn’t reinforce your Edit out anything that doesn’t reinforce your

message.message.

Know your audienceKnow your audience

Determines tone, shapes contentDetermines tone, shapes content

SpecialistsSpecialists Can assume a high level of knowledge, use Can assume a high level of knowledge, use

jargon, take other presentation shortcuts.jargon, take other presentation shortcuts.

Wide-ranging discipline. Wide-ranging discipline. Can assume familiarity with the topic in Can assume familiarity with the topic in

general, but avoid jargon and simplify languagegeneral, but avoid jargon and simplify language

Very general audience. Very general audience. Explain everything in the most basic terms.Explain everything in the most basic terms.

Abstract/SummaryAbstract/Summary

A succinct description of your work in which you:A succinct description of your work in which you:

1.1. Explain why your information is important - set Explain why your information is important - set the contextthe context

2.2. Describe the learning objectives for your poster. Describe the learning objectives for your poster. What will the attendee know or be able to do as a What will the attendee know or be able to do as a result of viewing your poster session.result of viewing your poster session.

3.3. Concisely state main points, conclusions, and Concisely state main points, conclusions, and recommendations. This is what most people want recommendations. This is what most people want to know. Be specific and tell them what they need to know. Be specific and tell them what they need to know and what you recommend!to know and what you recommend!

Creating an effective Creating an effective posterposter

Headings highlight key sections –objectives, summary, Headings highlight key sections –objectives, summary, main points, recommendations, etcmain points, recommendations, etc

Balance the placement of text and graphicBalance the placement of text and graphic

Use white space creatively to define flow of information.Use white space creatively to define flow of information.

Don't fight "reader gravity" that pulls eye from top to Don't fight "reader gravity" that pulls eye from top to bottom, left to right.bottom, left to right.

Column format makes a poster easier to read in a crowd.Column format makes a poster easier to read in a crowd.

Prioritize your information. Decide what the most Prioritize your information. Decide what the most important element of your poster is and provide this first important element of your poster is and provide this first or makeit stand out.or makeit stand out.

Effective posterEffective poster

Consider what information your audience Consider what information your audience needs before they read each section of your needs before they read each section of your presentationpresentation Begin your presentation by summarizing the Begin your presentation by summarizing the

aim of your poster and then provide a brief aim of your poster and then provide a brief background.background.

The layout of your poster should reinforce The layout of your poster should reinforce the order in which your information is the order in which your information is structured. structured.

GraphicsGraphics

Communicate relationships quickly.Communicate relationships quickly.

Graphs should be simple and clean.Graphs should be simple and clean.

Stick to simple 2-D line graphs, bar charts, and (if Stick to simple 2-D line graphs, bar charts, and (if you must) pie charts.you must) pie charts.

Avoid 3-D graphs unless you're displaying 3-D data.Avoid 3-D graphs unless you're displaying 3-D data.

Be sure to follow text guidelines (below) for graphs.Be sure to follow text guidelines (below) for graphs.

Use photos that help deliver your message.Use photos that help deliver your message.

Use art - but not too much - to attract attention. Use art - but not too much - to attract attention. Focus on your data!Focus on your data!

TextText

Minimize text - use images and graphs instead! Minimize text - use images and graphs instead!

Keep text elements to 50 words or less.Keep text elements to 50 words or less.

Use phrases rather than full sentences.Use phrases rather than full sentences.

Use Active voice.Use Active voice.

Avoid jargon (depends somewhat on audience).Avoid jargon (depends somewhat on audience).

Clearly and prominently display the title and Clearly and prominently display the title and authors(s). (Be sure not to claim sole credit if authors(s). (Be sure not to claim sole credit if not solo project.)not solo project.)

TextText

Use a Sans-serif font (e.g., Arial, Tahoma, Use a Sans-serif font (e.g., Arial, Tahoma, and Helvetica). Easier to read.and Helvetica). Easier to read.

Text should be large - at least 36 point for Text should be large - at least 36 point for title panels; 24 point for text.title panels; 24 point for text.

Text in figures should also be large.Text in figures should also be large.

Title should be at least one - two inches Title should be at least one - two inches tall.tall.

ColorColor

Use a light color background and dark Use a light color background and dark letters for contrast.letters for contrast.

Stick to a theme of 3-4 colors, no more.Stick to a theme of 3-4 colors, no more.

Overly bright colors will attract attention, Overly bright colors will attract attention, but wear out readers' eyes.but wear out readers' eyes.

Consider people who have problems Consider people who have problems differentiating colors.differentiating colors.

Software ToolsSoftware Tools

A variety of software tools:A variety of software tools: Microsoft Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, etc.Microsoft Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, etc.

Microsoft PowerPoint is a good, relatively easy-Microsoft PowerPoint is a good, relatively easy-to-use tool for creating posters. to-use tool for creating posters.

Adobe Illustrator and InDesign work well, but are Adobe Illustrator and InDesign work well, but are more complex and expensive.more complex and expensive.

Microsoft Excel can create and export graphics Microsoft Excel can create and export graphics for PowerPoint - but you'll need to clean them up.for PowerPoint - but you'll need to clean them up.

Adobe Photoshop is great for manipulating Adobe Photoshop is great for manipulating images.images.

Edit & EvaluateEdit & Evaluate

Edit! Edit! Edit! to reduce text.Edit! Edit! Edit! to reduce text.

If it's not relevant to your message, remove it!If it's not relevant to your message, remove it!

Have colleagues comment on drafts. Print a Have colleagues comment on drafts. Print a small version and circulate it for comment, or small version and circulate it for comment, or hang a full-size draft with pens and invite hang a full-size draft with pens and invite people to critique it.people to critique it.

Evaluate your workEvaluate your work Are your objectives and main message obvious? Are your objectives and main message obvious? Will readers be able to contact you?Will readers be able to contact you?

Presenting Your Poster Presenting Your Poster EffectivelyEffectively

Prepare handouts to facilitate interaction, Prepare handouts to facilitate interaction, offer additional detail, and/or provide offer additional detail, and/or provide reference material.reference material.

Bring business cards and copies of your Bring business cards and copies of your paper(s).paper(s).

On poster day…On poster day…

Arrive early at the display site and bring a poster Arrive early at the display site and bring a poster hanging kit with you.hanging kit with you.

1.1. Push-Pins. These work most of the time. Good for cork Push-Pins. These work most of the time. Good for cork boards, some fuzzy walls, and even some woods, ifyou boards, some fuzzy walls, and even some woods, ifyou have heavy-duty pins. Bring some heavy-duty pins for have heavy-duty pins. Bring some heavy-duty pins for thick or hard surfaces and light-duty pins for thin or thick or hard surfaces and light-duty pins for thin or soft surfaces.soft surfaces.

2.2. UHU Holdit. This is a removable putty adhesive. Good UHU Holdit. This is a removable putty adhesive. Good for glass, block, wood, metal, and most other nonfabric for glass, block, wood, metal, and most other nonfabric surfaces. You pull off a little piece, stick it to the back surfaces. You pull off a little piece, stick it to the back corners of your poster and push your poster against corners of your poster and push your poster against the mounting surface.the mounting surface.

… … on poster dayon poster day

3.3. Velcro Tape. This has Velcro on one side and Velcro Tape. This has Velcro on one side and a sticky adhesive on the other. Use for fuzzy a sticky adhesive on the other. Use for fuzzy fabric surfaces. If you carry Velcro tape, you fabric surfaces. If you carry Velcro tape, you should also have scissors to cut it.should also have scissors to cut it.

4.4. Masking Tape. Bring single or double sided. Masking Tape. Bring single or double sided. Good for non-fabric surfaces. Will even work Good for non-fabric surfaces. Will even work on some fabrics forshort periods of time.on some fabrics forshort periods of time.

Hang your poster squarely and neatly.Hang your poster squarely and neatly.

On poster dayOn poster day

Bring copies of a handout for your readers. It should include Bring copies of a handout for your readers. It should include a miniature version of your poster and more detaileda miniature version of your poster and more detailed

information about your work, in an illustrated narrative information about your work, in an illustrated narrative form.form.

Consider doing this on an 11x17-inch sheet of paper, folded Consider doing this on an 11x17-inch sheet of paper, folded in half. This allows three pages of information, in addition in half. This allows three pages of information, in addition to the miniature of your poster. You want people to to the miniature of your poster. You want people to remember you and your work!remember you and your work!

Put handouts, business cards, reprints nearby - on a table Put handouts, business cards, reprints nearby - on a table or in an envelope hung with the poster.or in an envelope hung with the poster.

Consider leaving a pen and pad inviting comments from Consider leaving a pen and pad inviting comments from viewers.viewers.

During the session …During the session …

Be at your poster during your assigned Be at your poster during your assigned presentation slot.presentation slot.

Have a 3-5 minute presentation prepared Have a 3-5 minute presentation prepared for people who ask you to walk them for people who ask you to walk them through the poster.through the poster.

Don't read the poster. Instead, give the big Don't read the poster. Instead, give the big picture, explain why the problem is picture, explain why the problem is important, and use the graphics to illustrate important, and use the graphics to illustrate and support your key points.and support your key points.

Poster EvaluationPoster Evaluation

Use this evaluation to quickly evaluate the Use this evaluation to quickly evaluate the appearance and organization of your poster. appearance and organization of your poster. This evaluation does not address the quality This evaluation does not address the quality of the information.of the information.

Overall AppearanceOverall Appearance

0 - Cluttered or sloppy appearance. Gives the 0 - Cluttered or sloppy appearance. Gives the impression of a solid mass of text and impression of a solid mass of text and graphics, or pieces are scattered and graphics, or pieces are scattered and disconnected. Little white space.disconnected. Little white space.

1 - Pleasant to look at. Pleasing use of colors, 1 - Pleasant to look at. Pleasing use of colors, text, and graphics.text, and graphics.

2 - Very pleasing to look at. Particularly nice 2 - Very pleasing to look at. Particularly nice colors and graphics.colors and graphics.

White SpaceWhite Space

0 - Very little. Gives the impression of a solid 0 - Very little. Gives the impression of a solid mass of text and graphics.mass of text and graphics.

1 - OK. Sections of the poster are separated 1 - OK. Sections of the poster are separated from one another.from one another.

2 - Lots. Plenty of room to rest the eyes. Lots 2 - Lots. Plenty of room to rest the eyes. Lots of separation.of separation.

Text / Graphics BalanceText / Graphics Balance

0 - Too much text. The poster gives an 0 - Too much text. The poster gives an overwhelming impression of text only, OR overwhelming impression of text only, OR not enough text. Cannot understand what not enough text. Cannot understand what the graphics are supposed to relate.the graphics are supposed to relate.

1 - Balanced. Text and graphics are evenly 1 - Balanced. Text and graphics are evenly dispersed in the poster. There seems to be dispersed in the poster. There seems to be enough text to explain the graphics.enough text to explain the graphics.

Text SizeText Size

0 - Too small to view comfortably from a 0 - Too small to view comfortably from a distance of 1-1.5 meters.distance of 1-1.5 meters.

½ - Main text OK, but text in figures too ½ - Main text OK, but text in figures too small.small.

1 - Easy to read from 1-1.5 meters.1 - Easy to read from 1-1.5 meters.

2 - Very easy to read.2 - Very easy to read.

Organization and FlowOrganization and Flow

0 - Cannot figure out how to move through 0 - Cannot figure out how to move through poster.poster.

1 - Implicit. Headings (Introduction, Methods, 1 - Implicit. Headings (Introduction, Methods, etc.) or other device implies organization etc.) or other device implies organization and flow.and flow.

2 - Explicit numbering, column bars, row 2 - Explicit numbering, column bars, row bars, etc.bars, etc.

Author IdentificationAuthor Identification

0 - None.0 - None.

1 - Partial. Not enough information to contact 1 - Partial. Not enough information to contact author without further research. author without further research.

2 - Complete. Enough information to contact 2 - Complete. Enough information to contact author by mail, phone, or e-mail without author by mail, phone, or e-mail without further research.further research.

ObjectivesObjectives

0 - Can't find.0 - Can't find.

1 - Present, but not explicit. Buried at end of 1 - Present, but not explicit. Buried at end of "Introduction", "Background", etc."Introduction", "Background", etc.

2 - Explicit. This includes headings of 2 - Explicit. This includes headings of “Objectives", "Aims", "Goals", etc.“Objectives", "Aims", "Goals", etc.

Main PointsMain Points

0 - Can't find.0 - Can't find.

1 - Present, but not obvious. May be 1 - Present, but not obvious. May be imbedded in monolithic blocks of text.imbedded in monolithic blocks of text.

2 - Explicitly labeled (e.g., "Main Points", 2 - Explicitly labeled (e.g., "Main Points", "Conclusions", "Results")."Conclusions", "Results").

SummarySummary

0 - Absent.0 - Absent.

1 - "Summary", "Results", or "Conclusions" 1 - "Summary", "Results", or "Conclusions" section present.section present.

Good ResourcesGood Resources

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

http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/NewSite/

http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/posterpres.htmlposterpres.html