Poster Training Workshop
March 2016
Research Career Development
Institute of Educational Technology (IET)
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
www.open.ac.uk
Poster Design and Layout
What makes a good poster?
• Clear navigation
- Effective layout
- Headings
- Colour coordination
• Limited but effective design
palette
- Colour scheme
- Fonts
- Typographic hierarchy
• Professionally produced
- Good colour reproduction
- High resolution images
- Quality paper
Poster layout
• Content well structured
• Consistent, simple and
legible design
Poster layout grid
• Grid forms the basis of the
page foundation
• Defines areas of content
• Directs attention
• Boundaries remain
consistent
Using OU Typography
• Use Arial/Apex or Times
• http://www.open.ac.uk/about/brand/print/typographyprinciples/type-faces
• Use the different weights to
emphasise headings
• Use columns to break up
large areas of text
Basic usage
• Always align type to the left
to ensure even spacing and
legibility
• Standard sentence case
should always be used
Leading (line spacing)
• Should be carefully
considered to achieve a
clean and readable look
Basic formatting
• Consistent use of space
between headers, body
copy and bullets
• Information is grouped to
ensure readability
Using a colour palette
• Use the OU Colour Palette
to bring contrast and
emphasis to your
applications
• Ten expressive colours
arranged chromatically as a
‘wheel’ to help with colour
selection
• White is also an essential
design element valued both
as a colour and spacial
component
Using complementary
colours – a guideline
• Use a maximum of three
expressive colours
• Neighbouring colours on the
‘wheel’ are good harmonious
combinations
• Any of the neutral grey shades
and black can be used
alongside the expressive
colours
Using colour with photography
• Choose colours that
complement photographs
as well as themselves
Using images at the correct
resolution
• It is important to use
images that are of a high
resolution when printing
• 300dpi (dots per inch) is the
recommended resolution
for print
Some examples of posters
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Final thoughts
• Posters should be
- Informative and not overwhelming
- Eye catching, clear and concise
- Easily interpretable as a stand-alone piece
• Include contact details
- Name, address, email/phone number
- A4 handouts of poster
• Display and presentation
- Check mounting arrangements and materials
- Have a brief talk planned for interested visitors
Software
• Use whatever application you feel most
comfortable with to get the job done
• Recommended software for layout
PowerPoint
Adobe InDesign
• Recommended software for illustration and image
management
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
GIMP
Practical information
• A1 paper size: 594 x 841 mm
Useful links
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Help choosing colour palettes: kuler.adobe.com
Tag clouds: www.tagxedo.com, www.wordle.net
Textures: www.cgtextures.com
Silhouettes: all-silhouettes.com
Printing your poster
2 options available on campus
• Central Print Services
• MCT Faculty
• Check with your Faculty/Unit
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Central Print Services
• http://intranet6.open.ac.uk/it/main/printing-services
• F Block, Room 36
• 01908 (6) 53014
• IT-Central-Printing-Services@open.ac.uk
Cost:
Matt paper – 90 gsm | Departmental – £4.00, Private – £10.32
Glossy paper – 190 gsm | Departmental – £10, Private – £20.40
(These are 2015 costs – check for 2016)
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MCT Faculty
• mcs-a0-print-request@open.ac.uk
• Jennie Lee Building
Cost: Free – please check.
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Final Date
Final date for sending poster to central print services is
Monday 30th May
Give yourself plenty of time. Don’t leave it to the last
minute.
Central Print Services sell cardboard tubes – perfect for
storing your poster until you need to display it. Check cost!
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Final file
Supply PDF files only!
PDF ensures special symbols such as greek and
mathematics are formatted correctly
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Good luck!
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