tips and guidelines for preparing conference posters

Tips and Guidelines for Preparing Conference Posters

Graphic Media DesignCenter for Instructional Support

Office of Faculty Development & Academic Support

Some General Considerations

General Considerations

Physical poster parameters (usually provided by conference coordinators)• “Wall” display or free standing?– If wall mounted, size of surface area available?• How mounted? Pins? Velcro? • What do you need to provide?

– If free standing, size of table top or easel?


Other considerations• Will poster be exposed to elements?– May want to consider lamination?

• Is there a time limit on putting up and taking down poster?– May want to consider a one-piece design?

• Does poster have to travel?– How portable does your poster have to be?


Other considerations• Costs– What’s in your budget?

• Time– How much time do you have to prepare and print your

poster?

Anatomy of the Poster


Most conference coordinators dictate/suggest what information is required for your poster• Title– Usually includes the author(s) and their affiliation;

sometimes addresses

• Abstract– Not always required– Should be set-off from the body of your poster


• Body– Separate your ideas into manageable, flowing sections• Purpose/Aims• Introduction/Background• Methodology• Analysis/Results• Conclusion/Implications


• Acknowledgements– Not always required although some grant funding

agencies require it– Should be set-off from the body of your poster

• Contact information– Not usually required but nice to have for networking

purposes and for questions from conference attendees– Should be set-off from the body of your poster

Editing Poster Content


Poster Title• Your title should be as concise as possible, yet

include enough information to grab the attention of the viewer

• Refrain the use of “Dr.” unless MD; use PhD, EdD, etc.

Editing Poster ContentQuantitative Measures of Genetically Modified

Organisms (GMOs) and their Effects on Hawaiian Agriculture and Implications for Future Studies

Dr. Ima Farmer, PhDCollege of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources

University of Hawai‘i

The Effects of GMOs in Hawai‘iIma Farmer, PhD

College of Tropical Agriculture and Human ResourcesUniversity of Hawai‘i


Body• Whenever possible, organize your thoughts into– Bullet points– Charts and graphs– Flow charts– Diagrams, etc.


FindingsNearly one-half of graphic designers (n=598, 49.8%) began losing their hair at age 20; over a quarter (n=322, 26.8%) lost their hair at age 30; and less than 7% (n=79, 6.5%) of the men lost their hair after the age of 50.

Hair Loss for Graphic Designers, by Age

.

FindingsHair Loss for Graphic Designers, by Age

Age N Percent

20 598 49.8

30 322 26.8

40 205 17.1

50 58 4.8

60 21 1.7

49.8%

17.1%26.8%

4.8% 1.7%0

100200300400500600700

20 yearsold

30 yearsold

40 yearsold

50 yearsold

60 yearsold

No. o

f Gra

phic

Artis

ts


FindingsNearly one-half of graphic designers (n=598, 49.8%) began losing their hair at age 20; over a quarter (n=322, 26.8%) lost their hair at age 30; and less than 7% (n=79, 6.5%) of the men lost their hair after the age of 50.

Hair Loss for Graphic Designers, by Age

.

FindingsHair Loss for Graphic Designers, by Age

Age No. Percent

20 598 49.8

30 322 26.8

40 205 17.1

50 58 4.8

60 21 1.7

49.8%17.1%

26.8%

4.8% 1.7%20 years old

30 years old

40 years old

50 years old

60 years old


ConclusionsThis project shows that men are more likely to choose blue as their favorite color than women; pigs are more likely to fly than other animals; children like broccoli more than any other vegetable; and graphic artists tend to have Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD) compared other professionals.

Conclusions§ Men like blue§ Pigs can fly§ Children like broccoli§ Graphic artists have OCD

Typography

Typography 101

Serif fonts• Serif fonts have little “feet” and “caps” on the tip and

base of each letter.• Nearly all books, newspapers, and magazines use

a serif font. • It’s believed that serif fonts are easier to read. The

idea being that the serifs make the letters flow together, and subsequently easier on the eyes.

Typography 101

Examples of Serif fonts• Times Roman AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345• Palatino AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345• Garamond AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345• Caslon AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345

Typography 101

Sans serif fonts• As the name suggests, “sans serif” fonts are fonts

without serifs.• Sans-serif fonts are often used as a headline font• Some believe that serif fonts are good for

“readability” while sans-serif fonts are good for “legibility.”

Typography 101

Examples of San serif fonts• Arial Narrow AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345• Helvetica AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345• Century Gothic AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345• Veranda AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345

Typography 101

Other font types• “Typewriter” or fixed-width fonts

Courier AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345Prestige Elite AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345

• Script or handwriting fontsBrush Script AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345Mistral AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345Chancery AaBbCcDdEeFfGg12345

Typography 101

Most script or handwriting fonts should not be formatted in full uppercase:

Brush Script UHWO CampusMistral UHWO CampusChancery UHWO CampusEdwardian script UHWO Campus

“Old English” UHWO Campus

Typography 101

Basic font attributes• “Roman,” or “medium” face Arial• “Bold” face Arial bold• “Italic” face Arial italic

Typography 101

Basic font attributes• “Roman,” or “medium” face Arial• “Bold” face Arial bold• “Italic” face Arial italic• “Condensed” or “narrow” face Arial narrow• “Black” or “extra-bold” face Arial black• Combinations thereof… e.g., Arial bold italic

Typography 101

Type size• Measured in points (pt)• 72 points = 1 inch (.9936)– The height (cap height) of different type fonts vary

slightly

• Use a type size that can be easily read 3–5 feet away from your poster

• Keep type size consistent

Typography 101

Generally acceptable use of fonts for emphasis• Underscored text (“old-school,” not used often)

Our findings show that blood is thicker than water.

• Full uppercase text* (“old school,” not used often except in headings)Our findings show that BLOOD IS THICKER than water.

*By modern standards, full uppercase text (e.g., in e-mail correspondence) is equivalent to someone shouting

Typography 101

Generally acceptable use of fonts for emphasis• Italicized text (most commonly used)

Our findings show that blood is thicker than water.

• Bold and italicized text (not commonly used; should not be used for titles of books and publications)Our findings show that blood is thicker than water.

• Do not bold, capitalize, italicize and underscoreOur findings show that BLOOD IS THICKER than water.

Typography 101Hawaiian diacritical marks• ‘Okina (glottal stop)– ‘ (do not use the “ ` ” key)• Open single quote (for Mac users: alt/option + end-bracket)*

• Kahakō (macron over vowels)– Ā ā, Ē ē, Ī ī, Ō ō, Ū ū• (for Mac users: alt/option + vowel if font base has macrons)*

*When using the Hawaiian keyboard or extended US keyboard

Typography 101

Resources

Typography 101

Resources on the web• www.wehewehe.org• www.lexilogos.com/keyboard/hawaiian/htm– Use online key board to typeset Hawaiian words• Copy/paste into document

Using Photographs and Illustrations

Photographs

• Common file formats: *.jpg, *.tif, *.gif, *.png• Makes sure images have enough enough resolution

at final print size– Ideally, at least 300 dpi/ppi at full print size– Generally, web-based images will not print well• Usually only 72 dpi and use for on-screen

Photographs

Illustrations

• Common file formats: *.eps, *.gif, *.dxf, *.pdf• Line drawings, if possible, should be vector-based,

i.e., created with a drawing application

IllustrationsVector-based Pixel-based

49.8%17.1%

26.8%

4.8% 1.7%

20 years old

30 years old

40 years old

50 years old

60 years old

Photos and Illustrations

Keep your photographs and illustrations in the correct proportions• Hold the “shift” key while resizing

UH Logos & Trademarks

• UH Communications Office(formerly Office of External Affairs & University Relations)– Graphic Standards Manual

(The “How to use” and “Do’s and Don’ts”)– Print Quality Official UH Logos and Seals

https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/communications/standards/graphics-standards/


Use for any material that reflects UH’s mission, including printed materials and presentations

Use for formal applications, e.g., diplomas, presidential letters


Old UHM Logo For use by UHM Athletics


• UH Communications Office discourages the use of individual college, school and department logos

• If you must use your college/school logo, always use in conjunction with the official UH logo

Using Color

Using Color

“Cool” colors• blues, greens tend to be “calmer”– green is popular since it is UHM’s color

“Warm” colors• reds, oranges tend to be “louder”– studies have shown words typeset is red tend to agitate

readersDo not use “Neon” colors

Using Color

Color contrast• The highest contrast for legibility is black text on

white background (and visa versa)• When coloring type, choose a color that has a high

contrast with the background and can be easily read– suggest that only headings, bullets, borders be colored;

main textual material should remain black

Using Color

• How well can you read this?• How well can you read this?• How well can you read this?• How well can you read this?• How well can you read this?• How well can you read this?

Using Color

Color sensitivity• Refrain from color combinations that may connote

something other than the topic of your poster– Orange and black = Halloween– Red and green = Christmas– Lavender and pink = Juvenile?

Using Color

Color backgrounds• Not recommended• But if you want/must…– Use a subtle light tint– Refrain from using busy patterns– If using a photograph, make sure it is light enough that it

does not interfere with the text

Using Color

Color backgrounds + Contrast + Color sensitivity• Most see this:

Christmas Around the World• Color blind people see this:

Christmas Around the World

Using Color

What computer software should I use?

What computer software should I use?

The software you know the best.

Computer ApplicationsAdobe Creative suite• Indesign• Illustrator• Photoshop

Microsoft suite• MS Word• Powerpoint• Excel

Computer ApplicationsAdobe Indesign• Layout program• Handles type well• Integrates files from other

applications well

Detractors:

• Extremely high learning curve

• Costs: requires monthly subscription (various pricing schedules: $20/month for 1 year or up to $600/year for the complete Adobe Suite).

Computer ApplicationsAdobe Illustrator• Vector-based drawing

program• Handles type “relatively”

well• Integrates files from other

applications well

Detractors:

• Extremely high learning curve

• Monthly subscription

Computer ApplicationsAdobe Photoshop• Photo manipulating

program

Detractors:

• Requires a high-level processing computer

• Extremely large file size• Extremely high learning

curve• Monthly subscription• Not recommended

Computer ApplicationsMS Word• Word processing program• Integrates files from other

applications

Detractors:

• Largest formatted page size is 22" x 22"

• Page format must be proportionately scaled

Computer ApplicationsPowerpoint• Presentation program• Integrates files from other

applications• Includes graphing and

charting applications• Probably the highest

recommended amongst Microsoft suite

Detractors:

• Handles type marginally• Most “auto” features need to

be turned off, e.g., “shrink to fit text”

• Difficult to align/scale objects• Too many “bells & whistles”• Largest formatted page size

is 56" x 56"

Computer ApplicationsExcel• Database program• Integrates files from other

applications• Includes graphing and

charting applications

Detractors:

• Handles type poorly• Most “auto” features need

to be turned off, e.g., “shrink to fit text”

Computer ApplicationsApple/Macintosh users:• Pages• Numbers• Keynote

• Free or low cost ($20) to Macintosh/Apple owners

Computer ApplicationsPages• Word processing program

similar to MS WordKeynote• Presentation program,

similar to MS PowerpointNumbers• Database program, similar

to MS Excel

Laying-out Your Poster

Using Paper as a Guide8.5”x11” Sheet (Letter size)• In portrait, the letter size

sheet gives a column of approximately 9.5" wide (with .5" margins)

• Length can be extended by using an 8.5"x14"(Legal size) sheet

• Or…extend by tiling

• In landscape, the letter size sheet gives a column of approximately 12" wide (with .5" margins)

• Length can be extended by using an 11"x17"(Tabloid size) sheet

• Or…extend by tiling

Table Top Posters

Dividing Your Poster

All-In-One Poster Printing

Call printing vendors in advance– Availability of finished print size– Production time– Costs– Acceptable file formats• Most recommend/require a pdf file• If the file needs to be enlarged, specify the percentage and

finished print size• Recommend a reduced size print accompany order

Printing Enlargement ScaleFinished Page Size in Enlargement

Poster Size Powerpoint & Word When Printing36" x 48" 36" x 48" 100%36" x 56" 36" x 56" 100%36" x 60" 18" x 30" 200%36" x 72" 18" x 36" 200%48" x 56" 48" x 56" 100%48" x 60" 24" x 30" 200%48" x 72" 24" x 36" 200%48" x 84" 24" x 42" 200%48" x 96" 24" x 48" 200%

Poster Printing Resources

Campus Center Marketing & Graphics• www.hawaii.edu/campuscenter/services/mg.html

CRDG Marketing & Publication Services (MaPS)• www.manoa.hawaii.edu/crdg/curriculum-

materials/maps/

Poster Printing Resources

FedEx/Kinko• www.fedex.com/us/office/sign-banner-printing.html

Electric Pencil / Honblue• www.ephawaii.com

Check the Yellow Pages or Google for more….

Suggested ReadingsBeamish, A.J., J. Ansell, J.J. Foster, K.A. Foster, and R.J. Egan. 2014. Poster

exhibitions at conferences: are we doing it properly? Journal of Surgical EducationDOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2014.08.011.

Bell, C., E.G. Buckley, P. Evans, and G. Lloyd-Jones. 2006. An evaluation of digital,split-site and traditional formats in conference poster sessions. Medical Teacher28(2):175-179.

Briggs, D.J. 2009. A practical guide to designing a poster for presentation. NursingStandard 23(34):35-39.

Campbell, R.S. 2004. How to present, summarize, and defend your poster at themeeting. Respiratory Care 49(10):1217-1221.

Day, R.A. and B. Gastel. 2011. How to write and publish a scientific paper. 7th ed.Greenwood, Santa Barbara, CA.

Suggested ReadingsDriskill, L.P. 2010. Optimize your conference poster's impact. Chemical Engineering

Progress 43-48.Ellerbee, S.M. 2006. Posters with an artistic flair. Nurse Educator 31(4):166-169.Hamilton, C.W. 2008. At a glance: a stepwise approach to successful poster

presentations. CHEST Journal 134(2):457-459.Hardicre, J., P. Devitt, and J. Coad. 2007. Ten steps to successful poster presentation.

British Journal of Nursing 16(7):398-401.Kaimal, S. and D.M. Thappa. 2010. The art and science of medical poster presentation.

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology 76(6):718-720.Kobayashi, K. D. and K. Perez. 2015. A scientific poster is not a scientific article.

2015 Hawaii International Conference on Education-ConferenceProceedings, p. 1520-1530.

Suggested ReadingsLarive, C.K. and E. Bulska. 2006. Tips for effective poster presentations. Analytical and

Bioanalytical Chemistry 385(8):1347-1349.Mitrany, D. 2005. Creating effective poster presentations: the editor's role. Science

Editor 28(4):114-116.Van Dalen, J., H. Gubbels, C. Engel, and K. Mfenyana. 2002. Effective poster design.

Education for Health 15(1):79-83.Whimster, W.F. 1989. Wanted: reader friendly posters. BMJ: British Medical Journal

298(6669):274.

When all else fails…

Call or email CISGraphic Media Design

956-8075

Mark [email protected]

Marween [email protected]

tips and guidelines for preparing conference posters

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