Nadia Barclay, Brooke Everett
Information Technology Lab
School of Information
University of Texas at Austin

• A large, synchronous, visual presentation medium used to present research at conferences.
– large : meant to be viewed from a distance
– synchronous ( all at once ): this means your point needs to be made quickly and succinctly
– visual : use images whenever possible and pay attention to layout
• An opportunity for you to present your work in a close, interactive setting.

Here ’ s a poster session… and here ’ s another one.

• Content Requirements
– Objectives
– Methodology
– Outcomes
– Conclusions
– Advisor information
• Medium Requirements
– No larger than 20x30 inches
– May use a laptop, but it is not required. Poster is required.
− The iSchool provides foam core for use during the session.

• A few different ways to put your poster together:
• PowerPoint
• Adobe InDesign or Photoshop
• Visio / Omnigraffle

• When editing images in Photoshop or Illustrator, use CMYK settings, rather than RGB.
• Screen Captures
– Set the resolution high enough so that the image won ’ t degrade when it ’ s enlarged.
–
400dpi should be high enough
− You can make Screen Shots in PowerPoint (2010 version)!

• Graphics Software : Photoshop, Illustrator
• Desktop Publishing Software (used for layout):
InDesign, PowerPoint, Omnigraffle
•
The Plotter : located in the lab
• A great poster can be made with nothing more than
PowerPoint!

• You can find poster templates online by searching for “ poster templates PowerPoint.
” There are also some links at the end of the presentation.
• Resize your slide immediately after opening
PowerPoint (waiting until the end can create a formatting nightmare). Design

Page Setup
• You can also change your slide ’ s orientation through the same menu path

• Remember color blindness . Don ’ t use color combos that people might not be able to see
• Use a light background with dark text

• Make sure the title and text are large enough to read from a distance.
− title ~ 25ft
– text ~ 5ft (24 point font should be smallest)
• Use lists rather than text blocks
• Don ’ t underline, instead use italics

• Don ’ t overfill your poster with content
• Really. Take everything out that you don ’ t need, and then one more thing.
• Use images instead of words wherever possible.
• Don ’ t forget grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Proofread your poster before you print it out.

• Charts
• Graphs
• Diagrams
• Maps
• Timelines
• Textual visualizations

• http://hermeneuti.ca/voyeur/tools#Bubblelines

• A nice way to illustrate place or compare places.
• Make your own maps with http://www.targetmap.com/.

• http://text2mindmap.com

• You can use a QR code to link to a website for your project at http://www.qrstuff.com/
• Your QR code can be plain… or customized to match your theme!

• Make an appointment.
• Be prepared to spend 10-30 minutes.
• Arrive with your file on a flash drive, CD, or on UT
WebSpace.
• Try to save in PowerPoint or as a pdf.
• Usually costs between $2.00 - $4.00. Bring $1 bills or quarters. No change available.

• Consider bringing handouts, business cards, or some other sort of takeaway .
• Memorize a couple of spiels that you can bring out depending on your viewers level of interest:
– Have an “ elevator pitch ”
– plus a more detailed explanation
• Don’t block your poster!

• The School of Information
IT Lab equipment, software and tutorials to help with your poster design needs.
• iSchool Capstone Poster Session Guidelines http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/programs/capstone/poster_session.php
• ALA Poster Tips http://www.lib.jmu.edu/org/ala/tips.aspx
• Poster Templates http://www.makesigns.com/SciPosters_Templates.aspx
http://www.templateswise.com/ http://www.free-power-point-templates.com/
•
QR Codes http://qrcode.kaywa.com/ http://mashable.com/2011/04/18/qr-code-design-tips/