Poster Design 101

AECGSA

October 28, 2009

Getting Started

Research Poster:• Introduction/need for research• Conceptual or Theoretical Framework (Literature

Review)• Methodology• Results/findings• Conclusion• Implications/ recommendations/impact on profession• References

Innovative Idea Poster:• Introduction/need for innovation or idea• How it works/ methodology/program phases/steps• Results to date/implications• Future plans/Advice to others• Costs/resources needed• References

Design Guidelines

• 36” tall x 48” long (1.5” margins all around)• Use PowerPoint or InDesign• Make the title the largest font on the poster • Name(s) and affiliation(s) in next largest font• 28 pt smallest font (18-20 pt for references)• Avoid “specialty/decorative” fonts• Keep background design simple

– Dark text on light background is best; Photo bg can look bad/ameteurish if not done right

Design Guidelines

• Keep words to a minimum, use bullets– Writing style should be consistent!

• Watch alignment. Left-align for text that is meant to be read.– Center is OK for titles and subheads

• Consistency in…– Use of color– Bolding– Italics– Underlining (avoid)– Font sizes and types/faces

• Don’t overuse bolding or italics and never combine multiple text styles (yes, like this, don’t do this)

Design Guidelines

• Include images, tables, conceptual models• Images from the Web (Google Images)

are copyrighted and too low of quality/resolution for print

• Free high quality photos and images– http://sxc.hu– Microsoft clipart collection photos– UF/IFAS photo database: http://ics.ifas.ufl.edu/pictures/– UF/IFAS logo:

http://identity.ufl.edu/signatureSystem/secondarySignatures– AEC logo: http://aec.ifas.ufl.edu/aec_logo.tif

AEE 6767 Poster Winner, Fall 2005 designed in PowerPoint

Winner - 2006 SAERC Outstanding Innovative Poster designed in Photoshop

2009 SAAS Ag Comm innovative poster winner designed in InDesign

2008 SAAS Ag Comm research poster winner designed in InDesign

Printing options

• CIRCA lab $3 no lamination– Lab technicians there can walk you through it– Good for test-printing– http://print.at.ufl.edu/printingquestions.shtml

• ICS printing (FedEx Kinkos) ~$60 with lamination– Preferred for conferences, but not required– Advisor may have funds

Advice

• Do an excellent job on the poster narrative.• Pick out the most important bullet points.• Don’t wait until the last minute to get started.

– Problems with printing, backed up• Have several people look at the design.• Make it easy to read.• Invest in a plastic poster tube or buy a cardboard one for

traveling– Label it well with your name and contact (carry it on the plane)

How-To Help

• PowerPoint (for beginners)– http://library.dickinson.edu/technology/Trainin

g/Tutorials/ms2007/pp/pp_poster.pdf• InDesign (for advance users)

– http://www.hsl.unc.edu/services/tutorials/poster_design/InDesign_pages/Indesign1getstarted.htm