Designing a Research Poster

Before Starting, Check Out These Links

• To Save the Science Poster, Researchers Want to Kill It and Start Over (NPR)
• How to create a better research poster in less time (with templates)

Keep It Simple!

• arrange your material in a logical progression
• arrange materials in columns
• don't try to cram too much onto the poster

Selecting Colors and Fonts

• Use only two or three colors in the poster: too many colors can be distracting
• Select font colors and background colors to maximize contrast: A dark font on a light background is more easily read than vice versa
• Choose a font size and style that can be read easily from several feet away
• Choose a sans serif font (i.e. Arial, Verdana, Calibri, as opposed to Times New Roman), as this is more accessible to readers.
• To emphasize a point, use bold or italics rather than underlining as underlined words can be more difficult to read

Text

• To add text, click on "insert" on the menu bar and choose "text box." Then click where you want the text box to be, and start typing.
• Text boxes can be resized by clicking on a corner and dragging.
• Avoid large blocks of text and limit or eliminate jargon and technical terms
• Organize and reduce text by using subheadings, keywords, bullet points
• A figure or graph often convey information more efficiently than paragraphs of text

Pictures and Photos

• Pictures and photos can be added with copy and paste commands or by importing.
  • To import: select Insert on the menu bar, then choose "Picture" or "Photo" (depending on your version of PowerPoint). Select the option that includes the phrase "from file" and then select the file from wherever it is stored on your computer.
  • Images should be at least 100dpi and the same size they will be on the poster.  A resolution of 150dpi is ideal (smaller resolution will result in a pixelated image, and larger resolution will result in excessive file size).
  • Save the image as a "JPG" as this format is easier to insert into PowerPoint.
• Pictures and photos can be edited using the picture tools. Access to the picture tools varies by PowerPoint version; use the help menu if you are having difficulty finding the picture tools. 
  • Resizing: click on the corner of the picture/photo and slide the mouse to resize
  • Cropping: choose the crop tool and crop from any side
  • Framing: click on the picture to select it, then choose "colors and lines" or "border" (depending on which version of PowerPoint you are using).

Graphs

• Graphs can be added with copy and paste commands or by importing (same as pictures)
• Keep graphs simple. 
  • Avoid "chart junk": 3-d, shadowing, multiple grid lines, labeling every tick mark
  • With multiple graphs, combine information (e.g. share axis labels, titles, legends)

Canva is a graphic design platform that is used to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, documents and other visual content. The app includes a wide range of templates, many of which are free to users with a basic, free account. To use Canva, you will need to create an account, but you should not feel obligated to purchase a Canva Pro plan.

• Open the Canva homepage.
• Select ""Create New Design" in the upper right corner.
• In the drop down, select the "Custom Size" button.
• Make sure that you have selected inches and not pixels. Set the width to 48" and the height to 36". Hit the "Create Design" button.
• In the lefthand margin, go to the "Templates" button. Here you will be able to search through hundreds of templates, many of which are free. A search for "research poster" will yield a number of selections that would be appropriate templates for your design. You can change the templates easily as you browse.
• Start modifying your template using the tools in the lefthand column. To upload graphics, you will need to use the "Uploads" tool.
• All changes will be saved automatically, so you can always log in and pick up where you left off!
• When you are satisfied with your poster, select the "Download" button in the upper right corner. For file type, select "PDF Print."
• Save the poster to your computer or shared drive.

The Library's STEM Research and Learning Librarian Jentry Campbell and Lilly Linden have offered two Zoom tutorial sessions for making a poster on April 26 from 12:15-1:15PM and April 28th from 1:10-2:10PM. Zoom links to follow.

Additionally, they will offer hybrid drop-in hours for anyone with questions on May 3 from 12:15-1:15PM and May 6 from 1:10-2:10PM. More information to follow.