creating effective poster presentations using powerpoint helene hoffman, phd assistant dean for...
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Creating Effective Poster Presentations Using PowerPoint
Creating Effective Poster Presentations Using PowerPoint
Helene Hoffman, PhD
Assistant Dean for Educational Computing
Adjunct Professor of Medicine
UCSD School of Medicine
Helene Hoffman, PhD
Assistant Dean for Educational Computing
Adjunct Professor of Medicine
UCSD School of Medicine
Goals of An Effective Poster Goals of An Effective Poster
Communicates visually Serves as an illustrated abstract Aesthetically pleasing
Attracts & holds attention Makes it easy for readers Initiates discussion
Is concise & organized Focuses on a single clear message Successfully presents scientific / technical information Is not a journal article
Stands alone if /when you’re not there
Know Poster Session RulesKnow Poster Session Rules
Size of poster: 3 x 5 (light weight paper, no mounting)
Display environment: Assigned board; tape poster onto boards
Length of poster session: 2 hours (6-8 PM on November 15)
When is set-up time? 3:30- 5:45 PM (Buffet opens 5:15 PM)
Need for author to stay with poster: YES
Other AV materials or computer allowed : YES
‘Old Fashioned’ Approach Multiple Pages Mounted on Single Poster Board
‘Old Fashioned’ Approach Multiple Pages Mounted on Single Poster Board
Pages mounted on poster board
Page matted with contrasting color, then mounted on poster board
‘Modern’ Approach Single Panel in PowerPoint‘Modern’ Approach Single Panel in PowerPoint
ConstructionConstruction
Plan Page Set-Up Title, Author & Institutional Affiliation Body Text & Graphic Elements Rough Layout Refinement Color Scheme
3’ x 5’
Plan Before you BeginPlan Before you Begin
Draft /edit text portions in word processing program Use plain language Pare down blocks of text 10 sentences
Create subheadings Use phrases & bulleted lists
Save text ~ font for poster (e.g., Arial 14)
Collect images, graphs, etc.
Create a storyboard Think in terms of columns Organize elements
top bottom left right
Title
Intro
Conclusions
Set-Up Single PPT SlideSet-Up Single PPT Slide
PowerPoint limitations Custom page sizes up to 56” x 56” Posters > 56” x 56” must be constructed at 50% of final size
To create a poster 5’ x 3’ (60” x 36”) Open File > New Presentation Open File > Page Set Up
Slide Sized for: Custom Width 30” and Height 18” Orientation (Slide) Landscape Click OK
Format > Slide Layout > Title only
Note: You may get message “current page exceeds printable area of paper in printer”. Say OK & ignore warning. You will not be printing full size on your desktop printer
Title, Author & AffiliationTitle, Author & Affiliation
Title Click in Title Placeholder & type (or cut / paste) Title Title font size ~40-50 pts (80-100 @ full scale)
Practice Poster Title = Arial Black size 46
Author / Affiliation Click in Title Placeholder Type (or cut & paste) authors / institutional affiliation Select text & change font smaller than Title
Practice Poster Authors = Arial size 28 bold Practice Poster Institution = Arial size 21 bold
Note: You can usually expand the width of the Title text box if you are not going to add a logo.
Insert > Text BoxesInsert > Text Boxes
Create text box Insert menu -> select “text box” Use text box icon (I-bar)
Add text Either cut/paste text from document Or type text directly into Text Box
Position & edit text View one text box only
Use 100% magnification in the Zoom Tool View entire poster
Use the “fit” option in the Zoom Tool
Select text & change font Practice Poster text = Arial size 14
Ensure Text is ReadableEnsure Text is Readable
Try a typeface familye.g., Arial Black, Arial, Arial Narrow
For emphasis Use bold, italics, or color Take care with underline, it now denotes a link Avoid script fonts & ALL CAPS
Suggestions Title Authors Institution Text Body
Finished height 1.5 - 2” 1 - 1.5” .5 - .75” .2 -.3”
Readable from 25’ 15’ 10’ 4 - 8’
Font size (@100%)
80 - 100 pt. 70 - 84 pt. 36 - 48 pt. 20 - 30 pt.
Add picture Insert menu -> select “picture” -> select “from file” Browse to find picture and click “insert”
Use PowerPoint image manipulation tools Reposition Resize Rotate Crop
Use images 300 dpi Be careful with images from internet or captured from screen
If needed, add a grey or black border (matting)
Insert > ImagesInsert > Images
Be Visual & Maintain BalanceBe Visual & Maintain Balance
Keep text neat & uncluttered Limit text to ~ 1000 words; text boxes ~ 11-15 words wide Left justify to make it easier to read Use line spacing & paragraph spacing to balance text
Consider proportions ~ 40 - 50 % text 30 - 40 % graphics 20 % white space
Balance margins & white space Sides & top margins ~ 1.5 - 2” Bottom margin slightly bigger > good visual base Avoid crowding content
Refine Text & LayoutRefine Text & Layout
Edit text & pare down large text blocks
Justify text
Standardize column width
Create section headers (& subheaders)
Align borders of the elements in one column
Group column elements
Distribute columns across page
Add logo & footer (if necessary)
If it doesn’t help tell the story, don’t use it!
Add ColorAdd Color
Format > Slide Background Select color
Keep contrast high between text & background Complement poster content & images
Light backgrounds work well with dark photos & graphic Dark backgrounds for light photos & graphics
Create section headers Insert > Text Box Format AutoShape > Colors & Lines
Try a semi-transparent layer under text Add AutoShape & change color /transparency using Format AutoShape Move shape behind Text using Draw > Order > Send to Back
Color SchemeColor Scheme
Stick to a theme of 2-3 colors, no more
Avoid stark white background
Intense colors are only good as borders or emphasis
Fluorescent lighting may intensify / alter bright colors
If you select an image as background Use subtle image or text won’t be readable
Add semi-transparent layer between image & text See method on previous slide
Wrap UpWrap Up
Quality control
Printing
Ensure Quality ControlEnsure Quality Control
Print a small version for feedback Use the Scale to Fit option in your printing dialog box If you can’t read on 8.5 x 11 page, the text is probably too small
Have a colleague proof all aspects of poster Make corrections or additions Redo areas that are unclear
Edit ruthlessly Typically too much text on posters Sentences > phrases or lists If it is not relevant to your message, remove it!
Save & back-up your work
PrintingPrinting
Use professional large format printing service UCSD IMPRINTS (x 4-3020) or KINKOS (858-459- 3043) Expect ~ 48 hr turnaround Ask if print “proof” is possible
Specify final dimensions of poster For example, size = 60” x 36” If working 1/2 scale, reiterate the poster to be printed at 2x the page size
Price depends on options Paper stock Size Lamination MountingNote: A Color print (not laminated) $5.75 - $9.75 / ft2
QuestionsQuestions
Helene Hoffman
Office of Educational Computing
265 Medical Teaching Facility
858.534.5506