A Guide toPutting TogetherEducational Posters

Ken Costello

John Weide

They teach something in the least amount of time and without a teacher.

They are more convenient than any other presentation format, especially for multiple presentations.

They are more convenient than using transparencies…

Slide projector replacement?

…or slide projectors…

…or computer projection systems.

One poster is equivalent to about15 pages from a textbook or 30 PowerPoint slides

They can show the general flow of a topic and details at the same time.

• The audience is usually walking by, so the poster must be able to grab and hold their attention. This is like reaching viewers who are flipping through TV channels or surfing through Web sites. You have little time to catch their attention.

Disadvantage:

1) First Impression Stage: 3 seconds

2) Easy to See Stage: 3x4=12 seconds

3) Easy to Navigate Stage: 3x4x5=60 sec

4) Sense of Enlightenment Stage: 3 min

The 3x4x5 rule To Catch and Hold Attention

1) First Impression Stage:

• You have 3 seconds to grab the viewer’s attention.

• Getting attention the first 3 seconds depends mostly on the visual appeal of the poster.

• Colors, drawings, shapes, and overall design are quick to notice.

• A catchy title is also useful.

Catchy Title: Phrases that have double meanings are useful in making a more interesting title.

For example, Pesticides Last (meaning either pesticides do not decompose, or pesticides should be used last)

A common technique used by magazines is word matching. For example, Global Warming: The Debate Heats Up.

A use of contrasting ideas is also catchy. For example, Healthy Chemicals Kill or Fluorocarbons Up Ozone Down.

• If successful, they will give you 4 times that time (3 x 4=12 seconds). Otherwise, they will walk on to the next poster.

This poster had a good first impression because of the unusual surface texture. However, on readability and navigation it was poor.

This poster had a good first impression because of the unusual surface texture. However, on readability and navigation it was poor.

This poster had a good first impression because of the bright colors and shape. However, the text was too small and handwriting was sloppy. Their mascot might be a bit in bad taste.

This poster had a good first impression because of the bright colors and shape. However, the text was too small and handwriting was sloppy. Their mascot might be a bit in bad taste.

This poster had a good first impression because of the 3-D nature of the decorations and the bright colors.

This poster had a good first impression because of the 3-D nature of the decorations and the bright colors.

This had an attention-getting title.This had an attention-getting title.

• The next 12 seconds depends on the poster being readable and recognizable.

• You have gotten the viewers’ interest but now they want to easily read and interpret the text and images (from 5 feet). If using technical terms, be sure to quickly define them.

• Viewers do not want to put much effort in getting your message. If they have to strain to see it or understand it, they move on to the next poster.

• If they are satisfied with these two things for 12 seconds, you will get their attention for 1 minute (3 x 4 x 5 seconds).

2) Easy to See Stage:

Even though the text seems small in this photo of the poster, they were easy to read on the poster itself.Even though the text seems small in this photo of the poster, they were easy to read on the poster itself.

Do you think text was

readable?

Do you think text was

readable?

Do you think text was

readable?

Do you think text was

readable?

• The viewers will now want to follow the flow of the poster.

• During this minute, it should be easy for them to know where to begin and where to go next.

• If navigation is good and they stay interested for 1 minute, the 3x4x5 rule starts over. They will stay for 3 more minutes (3 x 1 min), which should be enough to complete the poster.

3) Easy to Navigate Stage:

Numbers and arrows provide clear navigation.Numbers and arrows provide clear navigation.

Do these arrows help?Do these arrows help?

How’s the navigation?How’s the

navigation?

• Conclusion: The poster should lead to a conclusion, climax, or solution. The viewers will hopefully agree with this conclusion and want to learn more.

• Tell them what to do: Most posters are trying to solve problems that require many people to participate. If this is your type of poster, be sure to tell them what to do that will help.

• Follow-up: The poster should also have information on how to find out more about the topic. In other words, give a contact person, a Web site, or organization name.

4) Sense of Enlightenment Stage:

For follow-up this poster provides a pocket with brochures that contain more information.

For follow-up this poster provides a pocket with brochures that contain more information.

The 3-4-5 rule

1) First Impression Stage: 3 seconds

2) Easy to See Stage: 3x4=12 seconds

3) Easy to Navigate Stage: 3x4x5=60 sec

4) Sense of Enlightenment Stage: 3 min

The 3x4x5 rule To Catch and Hold Attention

Ideas for Enhancing Educational Posters

• Color / Shapes/ Textures

• Construction tips

• Attention gettersAttention getters

Because our sun produces more yellow light than any other color, our eyes have evolved to be more sensitive to yellow.

LOOK HERE LOOK HERELOOK HERE

Fluorescent colors capture some of the ultraviolet light and convert it to visible light, making the colors brighter than

Psychology of Colors

Danger

Caution

Safe

Warm ColorsCheery, Feminine, Creative

Cool ColorsSerious, Calm

Earth tones: Natural, simple, friendlyDanger, important

Contrast with Complimentary ColorRed

TurquoiseTurquoiseBlue

Yellow PurplePurple

GreenGreen

Contrast with Dark BackgroundRed

TurquoiseTurquoiseBlue

Yellow PurplePurple

GreenGreen

Contrast with Light BackgroundRed

TurquoiseTurquoiseBlue

Yellow PurplePurple

GreenGreen

Analogous Colors

The fluorescent colors stand out much more than regular colors.

The fluorescent colors stand out much more than regular colors.

Avoid rectanglesThey look like typing paper

Even the shape of the edges can be made more interesting

The shape of this poster reinforced the topic of the poster, which was pollution from nuclear power.

The shape of this poster reinforced the topic of the poster, which was pollution from nuclear power.

Contact paper

Gift wrap

Specialty paper

Do’s and Don'ts•Use professional looking lettering

•Computer printing•Stick-on letters•Stencils

•For color use color paper, color printing, or spray paint•Plan the layout•Use paper cutter•Use thick paper or backing

•Foam core

•Don’t use handwriting

•Computer Handwriting

• Don’t use crayons for coloring.

•Don’t cut without guides

•Don’t draw without guides unless you are an artist

Use Drawing tools in Word or PowerPoint to print arrows and other shapes that you want to use

ENERGYENERGY

Amoeba

• Items that project from the surface of the poster

• Foam rubber cut-outs• Styrofoam• Plaster cloth

This poster used a 3-d greenhouse.

This poster used a 3-d greenhouse.

This “poster” about pesticides is in the shape of an insecticide spray can.

This “poster” about pesticides is in the shape of an insecticide spray can.

Students were creative in making this police-style outline of a person who succumbed to nuclear radiation. Here the 3-D went beyond the poster.

Students were creative in making this police-style outline of a person who succumbed to nuclear radiation. Here the 3-D went beyond the poster.

A 3-D winter scene was part of this poster that talked about the ozone holes near Earth’s poles.

A 3-D winter scene was part of this poster that talked about the ozone holes near Earth’s poles.

This poster was about 10 feet wide and used many 3-d elements.This poster was about 10 feet wide and used many 3-d elements.

A SouthPark character had a real fishing pole and a real fishing lure attached.

A SouthPark character had a real fishing pole and a real fishing lure attached.

• Clock mechanism

• LED lights

Ideas for Enhancing Educational Posters

• Color / Shapes/ Textures• Construction tips• Attention gettersAttention getters

– 3D3D– MovementMovement– Smell?Smell?

1) First Impression Stage: 3 seconds

2) Easy to See Stage: 3x4=12 seconds

3) Easy to Navigate Stage: 3x4x5=60 sec

4) Sense of Enlightenment Stage: 3 min

The 3x4x5 rule To Catch and Hold Attention

A Guide toPutting TogetherEducational Posters

Ken Costello

John Weide

Evaluating the ability of a poster to grab and hold viewers’ attention.

Criteria First Impression Readability Navigation Enlightenment Overall

Poster Titles

3 sec: Shape, color, 3-D, texture, catchy title, symmetry, spacing, neatness.

12 sec: Font size, contrast, computer printed vs. handwritten, terminology. Good images.

60 sec: Clear beginning, middle, and end. Navigation aids: numbers, arrows, position, etc.

3 min: Do you feel you learned something? Time for learning near 3 to 4 minutes? Encouragement to learn more?

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For slideshow of tips on making educational posters, visit: http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~costello/posters/