1	"Tom Lang MA" Tom Lang MA Tom Lang Communications
2	Poster Formats • A single laminated sheet, 36 x 48 up to 48 x 96 inches • A series of separate panels • A “tri-fold” stand-alone Foamcore display
3	Poster Placements • Tacked to bulletin boards in a conference hall • Placed on tables in meeting rooms • Mounted in hallways and laboratory walls
4	Posters as Communication Posters allow you to speak at length with colleagues Posters can attract readers not usually involved with your topic Posters can be viewed for hours or days during a conference
5	Posters as Communication • Articles are limited by length • Slide presentations are limited by time • Posters are limited by area
6	Functions of Posters To disseminate scientific information by highlighting a research study Journal articles document research studies; posters announce them
7	Functions of Posters To summarize a scientific study Details should be presented in a handout or in conversation
8	Functions of Posters To promote the investigators and their institution The quality of the poster reflects on you, your research, and your institution
9	Human Factors in Poster Viewing • Within 3 seconds readers decide whether to read the poster • Within 30 seconds they either grasp the message or move on • After 90 seconds most have moved on
10	Human Factors in Poster Viewing • Most posters are read from about 4 feet away • Text is most easily read between waist-level and 1 foot above eye level • The title should be legible from at least 15 feet
11	Initial Activities The conference sponsor: • Issues a request for abstracts • Reviews and accepts abstracts • Issues Instructions for Presenters
12	Planning Activities • Start with the date you leave for the conference and work backward • Plan time for: writing, reviewing, revising, illustrating, designing, proofing, revising, and printing (Printers charge extra for rush work!)
13	Instructions for Presenters • Dates and times of poster setup, takedown, and viewing • Poster size and format • ID number and location of poster • Style features (type size; headings)
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15	General Considerations • Start early! Most errors are from last-minute efforts • The quality of your poster is determined by YOU, not by a journal (Can’t blame mistakes on editors!)
16	General Considerations Posters are viewed, not read: • Think billboard, not printed page • Prefer figures to words • Think structured abstract, not journal article
17	Writing the Text • Give major points and few details • Everything on a poster must be LARGE— except the number of words!
18	Titles • Most important part of the poster: often the only part read • Shorter is better! • Consider having fun with it—but use good judgment
19	Credits • Researchers’ names, highest degree, and institutional affiliations • Criteria for authorship used by journals apply to posters • Funding source, if applicable
20	Common Headings Background or Problem Methods Results Conclusions Subheadings as needed
21	Possible Additional Headings Acknowledgments Disclosures References Contact information Websites
22	Writing the Text è An abstract is unnecessary; the poster is an abstract, but . . . è A discussion section is often unnecessary; readers won’t read it è A reference list is rarely necessary; readers won’t remember the details
23	Writing the Text Other Considerations • Put details of a discussion or references in a handout • Include an abstract and contact information in the handout
24	Most posters have too much text! Too much text can: • Scare potential readers away • Make reading tedious • Overload readers with details
25	Most posters have too much text! Try for 8 to 12 words per line 4 to 6 lines per paragraph • 15 to 20 paragraphs; about 1000 ( words or 3 double-spaced manuscript ( pages
26	Text and Type Prefer bullet points to full sentences Separate paragraphs with spaces Use ragged-right columns Avoid using all capital letters
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29	Text and Type Use a sans serif font (Arial) not a serif font (Times New Roman) X X
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31	Guide to Type Sizes 72 points = 1 inch; type size is the height of the font's lower-case “x:” Xyxf
32	Guide to Type Sizes • Title: use at least 72-point type (1-inch high letters); 120 is better • Headings: use at least 48-point type; 96 is better • Body copy: use 36-point type (1/2-inch high letters) if possible
33	"120 Titles" 120 Titles 96 Authors 72 Headings
34	"60-Point" 60-Point Subheadings 48-Point Subheadings 32-Point Body Copy
35	"24-Point" 24-Point Labels and maybe body copy, but . . . 18-Point Not even if you’re really, really desperate 14-point Don’t even think about it 12-point You’ve got to be kidding 10-Point You have lost all touch with reality
36	Designing the Layout Illustrations • Have charts, graphs, illustrations, and photographs prepared by a professional • Make labels large enough to read
37	Designing the Layout Illustrations • Use at least one image! • Use dramatic or appealing images to attract attention . . .
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39	Designing the Layout Illustrations • If your research does not lend itself to illustration . . . . . . tie an image to your topic with a creative caption . . .
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45	Designing the Layout • The smallest image should be visible from 4 feet away • Captions should allow figures to be understood independently of the text • Avoid “horse captions” . . .
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47	Designing the Layout Other Considerations • If the poster must be numbered, leave space in the designated area • The progression from section to section should be clear
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54	"www.PhDposters.com" www.PhDposters.com Examples of posters and viewers’ reactions to them
55	Writing the Text Proof read, proo fread, prufr eed, or it will be wrong with YUOR NAME on it!
56	Creating the Poster • Only a few colors are usually needed • Use the same color for elements in the same class • Choose compatible background and text colors
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59	Designing the Layout Options • A rack for your handouts or business cards? • A sheet for visitor’s names and addresses? • An envelope to collect visitor’s business cards?
60	Transporting the Poster • Laminated sheets can be carried rolled in a tube • Foamcore panels, carried in a suitcase or portfolio case • NEVER post typed manuscript pages!
61	Setting up the Poster • Low risk-takers may want to take: masking tape, Scotch tape rubber cement, scissors matt knife, art gum eraser white mailing labels, black felt pen white correcting fluid
62	Setting up the Poster • Tacks or pushpins (long ones); take lots if the poster has been rolled up for a long time • Extra copies of vulnerable segments (handouts, photographs)
63	Presenting the Poster • Wear your nametag • Stand beside—not in front of—your poster • Be prepared to answer questions • Attend to interested readers, not to friends or other presenters
64	Presenting the Poster Prepare 3 presentations of your work: • A 10-second announcement • A 1- to 2-minute summary • A longer, detailed explanation
65	Presenting the Poster • It’s ok to stand quietly while people read and move on without comment • Ask questions to encourage discussion • Avoid arguing
66	Presenting the Poster • Remove your poster promptly after the meeting • Leave no trace of your presence; someone will remember (!)
67	The Secret to A Good Poster Don't show unto others what you don't want shown unto you! Gerald E. Jones