This post provides information on how to put together an effective research poster. You’ll find tips on poster design, structure, audience consideration, messaging, and writing with materials originally authored by Nancy Ami and Kaveh Tagharobi from the University of Victoria’s Centre for Academic Communication.
Your audience and message
Before you begin designing your post, consider the following questions, who will be viewing your poster?; What are you trying to communicate?; What is the most fascinating finding from your research? You will also want to consider the context of your presentation and how to make your poster accessible.
Tips on drafting your text
Grammar and style
Here are few reminders when it comes to grammar and stylistic aspects of your poster design:
- End your introductory sentence with a colon, if it is a complete sentence
- You do not need punctuation for incomplete sentences
- Use numbers only if the items should happen in a specific linear order
- End the bullets with a punctuation if they are complete sentences. Otherwise, you do not need an ending punctuation
Font and sizing
- Use 72 to 150-point font
- All other text should be 36-point font
- Use Helvetica, Arial, or Verdana
- Use font colours that contrast with the background
- Use 1.2 to 2.0 line-spacing
Minimize your poster text
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Only include the main findings, assertions or conclusions of your paper in the form of text
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If needed, use other forms (graphs, pictures, tables) to demonstrate the details, examples, and extra information
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Avoid copying big chunks of texts from a written article or paper
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Boil down paragraphs to main ideas. If there is a topic sentence you might be able ot use that
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If possible, use point form over paragraphs
Tips on layout and visual composition
Less is more
- Make navigation easy
- Arrange content from left to right
- Use columns
- Use clear visuals
- Align and create space between text boxes
- Use dark font on a light background
- Use font that is easily visible from 1.5 metres
- Create “breathing room” around text
- Commit to two font styles
- Choose coordinated colours
Include a QR code
- Link to a full study, abstract, presenter contact details, or even your data set
- Link to a Google Doc (with sharing set to view-only)
- Your QR code should be 5×5 inches
Images and graphics
- Includes captions
- Do not place text over images
- Image resolution should be 300 dots per inch
- Avoid images below 250kb
See these design principles in action!
and build relationships.
To learn more about this topic and to get help
Book a free in-person or online appointment with a Centre for Academic Communication academic coach!