Poster PresentationsJudith A. Vessey, PhD, MBA, FAAN

Objective To provide you with a basic understanding

of: What a poster is How to determine the content for the poster How to design a PowerPoint poster How to construct components for a free-

standing poster

What is a Poster?•A visual presentation of research or a

project that address one central question▫May be the whole or part of the project▫Communicates main concepts▫Leads participants to enter into a dialogue

with you•A good poster marries content and design•Try to show, not tell, what was done•Should provide an explicit take-home

message

When Do You Make A Poster? Research or Clinical Conference

presentations Posters that are ‘refereed’: an abstract has

been submitted, reviewed by experts, and accepted for presentation

Other displays (e.g., career fairs)

Building Your PosterStart with the abstractDetermine the timelineSelect key contentDesign the basic layoutAssemble the piecesConstruct the poster

A Real World Example

CSI Example:The Abstract

Abstract

Determine the Timeline•Estimate the amount of time and then

double it (and add a few hours)•Consult with the organization’s media

specialist•One week planning is the absolute

minimum (if constructing it yourself)

Determine Key Content• One essential concept to be conveyed

Should follow what is on the abstract!• Collect key information for each section• Construct separate files

▫ Text files▫ Photos and illustration files

Make sure you have necessary releases▫ Files of tables and figures

Make sure the necessary data are analyzed Create tables, figures, graphs File format

ppt files preferable With PDFs or other files, will need to use Snip-It or

similar editing tool to create picture files

CSI Example: Setting Up Files PowerPoint slides for each of the major

abstract sections Picture file

All photographs you want to use—edit ahead of time

High resolution is important Other files not needed for this poster but

could include: Picture files of pdfs, ppt tables or figures

CSI Example: Files•Create a ppt slides for each of the major abstract sections—keep in a separate file

CSI Example: Files PowerPoint slides for each of the major

abstract sections Picture file

All photographs you want to use—edit ahead of time

High resolution is important Other files not needed for this poster but

could include: Picture files of pdfs, ppt tables or figures

Editing a Picture

CSI Example: Files PowerPoint slides for each of the major

abstract sections Picture file

All photographs you want to use—edit ahead of time

High resolution is important Other files not needed for this poster but

could include: Picture files of pdfs or ppts or tables or

figures

Example: How to Change a ppt Table to a Picture file

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*Includes Facility Fees and Professional Fees for ER, Anesthesia, Radiology, and Orthopedics

High, Low, and Median Cast Change Charges by Year 2003-2009*

Sketch It Out!•Can use 4” x 6” cards for key content areas (or cut up PPT handouts/2 to a page)•Arrange the elements of the poster into

position▫The title goes across the top▫Brief introductions appears in upper left▫Conclusions and Implications appear in lower

right▫Methods and Results/Evaluation fit in

remaining space

CSI Example: Start with the Template for this Poster

Title Banner: Overview•Should be readable from 15-20 feet away• Includes:

▫Title▫Institutional logos▫Authors

Can include first names to facilitate conversation Institutional affiliations of authors Add city, state, and country names if appropriate

•Title may be centered or left-justified

Title Banner: Sizes•Title: 1½ - 2” high, 96 points

• (or 48 points enlarged by 200% when printed)

•Author names: 1-1½” high, 72 points•Affiliations: ½-3/4” high, 36-48 points

Add city, state, and country names if appropriate

Title Banner: Fonts

•Use a simple, easy to read font•San serif style works best

▫Examples: Arial, Helvetica, Arial•Fonts can also help tell the story: Comic

Sans•For Title banner:

▫Use boldface and ALL-CAPS for the title itself

▫Use boldface and mixed case for authors’ name

▫Use plain text, and mixed case for affiliations

CSI Example: Add Title and Logos

Body of Poster: Overview

•Present information in a sequence which is easy to follow▫Determine Section Headings—follow

abstract•Use photos, figures, and tables to tell the

study’s story•Present enough content so that a verbal

explanation is not necessary to link together the various components

Body of Poster: DetermineSequencingClinical Posters Clinical question Procedure Evaluation Clinical efficacy Quality indicators Cost-effectiveness Implementation Implications

Research PostersSpecific AimsBackgroundHypothesesMethods

Sample & settings

Instruments Procedure

ResultsImplications

CSI Example: Headings

Body of Poster: Text

•Readable from 6 feet away•Double-space, left-justification•Section headings: boldface, 36 point•Supporting text: 24 point•Narrative details: 18 point

Body of Poster: Inserting Text

▫Go to your ppt slide file of text Make sure that it exactly what you want to

say Use the font and font size you want

▫Cut and paste into the poster template Use grid lines

▫Can also add other subheadings, etc. to the poster directly on the template Use either the textbox or WordArt function Can do this at any time

CSI Example: Inserting Textcopy text from ppt slides in separate file, paste in poster template

Illustrations•Graphics should be self-explanatory•Tables and figures should have

explanatory captions•Photos should be self-explanatory•Text needs to support graphic elements•Layout:

▫20% text, 40% graphics, 40% empty space▫Delete all redundant references & filler phrases▫Remove material extraneous to the poster’s

core theme•Do not include the abstract

CSI Example: PicturesHINTS

Format --Choose an edge that doesn’t detract from the picture (see examples)Insert into templateInsert captions in text boxesWatch alignmentTo help with sizing

Enlarge template area Overlay one picture

on the other and match size

Editing

•Text needs to support graphic elements•Layout:

• 20% test, 40% graphics, 40% empty space• Delete all redundant references & filler phrases• Remove material extraneous to the poster’s

core theme•Use blank space between poster elements

to differentiate and accentuate them•Do not include the abstract

Final Result

Use of Color•Use color to unify your poster•Muted colors or shades of gray are best or

the background•Use more intense colors for borders,

content to be emphasized•Choose two or three colors that

complement the background for headings, etc.

•Avoid overuse of color

Use of Color•Use color to unify your poster•Muted colors or shades of gray are best or

the background•Use more intense colors for borders,

content to be emphasized•Choose two or three colors that

complement the background for headings, etc.

•Avoid overuse of color

Variations on a theme….Constructing individual piecesImporting presentation slides into a posterConstructing posters for presentations abroad

Constructing Individual Poster Pieces

•May be done:▫Due to cost▫Transportation difficulties ▫Last-minute preparation

•Develop each section of the poster▫Put each section on a separate piece of

paper▫Use 11 x 14” paper if appropriate

•Print out the text on high-quality paper•Mount text on board of contrasting color

Needed Construction Materials

•Materials▫Poster, Bristol, or mat board▫High-quality printer paper▫Glue, two-sided tape, or dry mount capabilities▫Razor knife▫Straight edge▫Band aids

•Access to high quality printer▫Print ppt slides in landscape

•Cutting surface

Posters for AbroadMost venues use a vertical format

Miscellaneous Thoughts

•Proof-read everything—TWICE!•Give credit where credit is due

▫Have an acknowledgements' section

The Poster PresentationTransporting your posterSetting up the posterThe poster session

Transporting/Setting Up the Poster

•Transporting your poster▫Remember that your poster now counts as

one carry-on when flying•Take materials to mount the poster

▫Double-sided Velcro▫Push pins▫Small hammer (or a sturdy shoe)

The Poster Session

•Be able to discuss the content of the poster

•Don’t wander away from the poster, be available

•Don’t spend the time visiting with friends•Remember, this is your professional

“calling card”

Living on the Edge

• If your poster gets delayed, lost, or destroyed:▫Remember, Kinkos is your friend

Ask the concierge for local business centers▫Be able to access key content

Take key content and/or poster PDF with you on a flash drive &/or email it to yourself

Leave key content on a server you can access remotely

Leave key content on a disk with someone at home you can contact