Poster PresentationsJudith A. Vessey, PhD, MBA, FAAN
Objective
To provide you with a basic understanding of: What a poster is How to determine the content for the poster How to design a PowerPoint poster How to construct components for a free-
standing poster
What is a Poster?
•A visual presentation of research or a project that address one central question▫May be the whole or part of the project▫Communicates main concepts▫Leads participants to enter into a dialogue
with you•A good poster marries content and design•Try to show, not tell, what was done•Should provide an explicit take-home
message
When Do You Make A Poster?
Research or Clinical Conference presentations Posters that are ‘refereed’: an abstract has
been submitted, reviewed by experts, and accepted for presentation
Other displays (e.g., career fairs)
Building Your PosterStart with the abstractDetermine the timelineSelect key contentDesign the basic layoutAssemble the piecesConstruct the poster
A Real World Example
CSI Example:The Abstract
Abstract
Determine the Timeline
•Estimate the amount of time and then double it (and add a few hours)
•Consult with the organization’s media specialist
•One week planning is the absolute minimum (if constructing it yourself)
Determine Key Content• One essential concept to be conveyed
Should follow what is on the abstract!• Collect key information for each section• Construct separate files
▫ Text files▫ Photos and illustration files
Make sure you have necessary releases▫ Files of tables and figures
Make sure the necessary data are analyzed Create tables, figures, graphs File format
ppt files preferable With PDFs or other files, will need to use Snip-It or
similar editing tool to create picture files
CSI Example: Setting Up Files
PowerPoint slides for each of the major abstract sections
Picture file All photographs you want to use—edit
ahead of time High resolution is important
Other files not needed for this poster but could include: Picture files of pdfs, ppt tables or figures
CSI Example: Files•Create a ppt slides for each of the major abstract sections—keep in a separate file
CSI Example: Files
PowerPoint slides for each of the major abstract sections
Picture file All photographs you want to use—edit
ahead of time High resolution is important
Other files not needed for this poster but could include: Picture files of pdfs, ppt tables or figures
Editing a Picture
CSI Example: Files
PowerPoint slides for each of the major abstract sections
Picture file All photographs you want to use—edit
ahead of time High resolution is important
Other files not needed for this poster but could include: Picture files of pdfs or ppts or tables or
figures
Example: How to Change a ppt Table to a Picture file
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2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
*Includes Facility Fees and Professional Fees for ER, Anesthesia, Radiology, and Orthopedics
High, Low, and Median Cast Change Charges by Year 2003-2009*
Sketch It Out!
•Can use 4” x 6” cards for key content areas
(or cut up PPT handouts/2 to a page)
•Arrange the elements of the poster into position▫The title goes across the top▫Brief introductions appears in upper left▫Conclusions and Implications appear in
lower right▫Methods and Results/Evaluation fit in
remaining space
CSI Example: Start with the Template for this Poster
Title Banner: Overview
•Should be readable from 15-20 feet away• Includes:
▫Title▫Institutional logos▫Authors
Can include first names to facilitate conversation Institutional affiliations of authors Add city, state, and country names if appropriate
•Title may be centered or left-justified
Title Banner: Sizes
•Title: 1½ - 2” high, 96 points• (or 48 points enlarged by 200% when
printed)•Author names: 1-1½” high, 72 points•Affiliations: ½-3/4” high, 36-48 points
Add city, state, and country names if appropriate
Title Banner: Fonts
•Use a simple, easy to read font•San serif style works best
▫Examples: Arial, Helvetica, Arial•Fonts can also help tell the story: Comic
Sans•For Title banner:
▫Use boldface and ALL-CAPS for the title itself
▫Use boldface and mixed case for authors’ name
▫Use plain text, and mixed case for affiliations
CSI Example: Add Title and Logos
Body of Poster: Overview
•Present information in a sequence which is easy to follow▫Determine Section Headings—follow
abstract•Use photos, figures, and tables to tell the
study’s story•Present enough content so that a verbal
explanation is not necessary to link together the various components
Body of Poster: DetermineSequencing
Clinical Posters Clinical question Procedure Evaluation Clinical efficacy Quality indicators Cost-effectiveness Implementation Implications
Research PostersSpecific AimsBackgroundHypothesesMethods
Sample & settings
Instruments Procedure
ResultsImplications
CSI Example: Headings
Body of Poster: Text
•Readable from 6 feet away•Double-space, left-justification•Section headings: boldface, 36 point•Supporting text: 24 point•Narrative details: 18 point
Body of Poster: Inserting Text
▫Go to your ppt slide file of text Make sure that it exactly what you want to
say Use the font and font size you want
▫Cut and paste into the poster template Use grid lines
▫Can also add other subheadings, etc. to the poster directly on the template Use either the textbox or WordArt function Can do this at any time
CSI Example: Inserting Textcopy text from ppt slides in separate file, paste in poster template
Illustrations
•Graphics should be self-explanatory•Tables and figures should have
explanatory captions•Photos should be self-explanatory•Text needs to support graphic elements•Layout:
▫20% text, 40% graphics, 40% empty space▫Delete all redundant references & filler phrases▫Remove material extraneous to the poster’s
core theme•Do not include the abstract
CSI Example: PicturesHINTS
Format --Choose an edge that doesn’t detract from the picture (see examples)Insert into templateInsert captions in text boxesWatch alignmentTo help with sizing
Enlarge template area Overlay one picture
on the other and match size
Editing
•Text needs to support graphic elements•Layout:
• 20% test, 40% graphics, 40% empty space• Delete all redundant references & filler phrases• Remove material extraneous to the poster’s
core theme•Use blank space between poster elements
to differentiate and accentuate them•Do not include the abstract
Final Result
Use of Color
•Use color to unify your poster•Muted colors or shades of gray are best or
the background•Use more intense colors for borders,
content to be emphasized•Choose two or three colors that
complement the background for headings, etc.
•Avoid overuse of color
Use of Color
•Use color to unify your poster•Muted colors or shades of gray are best or
the background•Use more intense colors for borders,
content to be emphasized•Choose two or three colors that
complement the background for headings, etc.
•Avoid overuse of color
Variations on a theme….Constructing individual piecesImporting presentation slides into a posterConstructing posters for presentations abroad
Constructing Individual Poster Pieces
•May be done:▫Due to cost▫Transportation difficulties ▫Last-minute preparation
•Develop each section of the poster▫Put each section on a separate piece of
paper▫Use 11 x 14” paper if appropriate
•Print out the text on high-quality paper•Mount text on board of contrasting color
Needed Construction Materials
•Materials▫Poster, Bristol, or mat board▫High-quality printer paper▫Glue, two-sided tape, or dry mount capabilities▫Razor knife▫Straight edge▫Band aids
•Access to high quality printer▫Print ppt slides in landscape
•Cutting surface
Posters for Abroad
Most venues use a vertical format
Miscellaneous Thoughts
•Proof-read everything—TWICE!•Give credit where credit is due
▫Have an acknowledgements' section
The Poster PresentationTransporting your posterSetting up the posterThe poster session
Transporting/Setting Up the Poster
•Transporting your poster▫Remember that your poster now counts as
one carry-on when flying•Take materials to mount the poster
▫Double-sided Velcro▫Push pins▫Small hammer (or a sturdy shoe)
The Poster Session
•Be able to discuss the content of the poster
•Don’t wander away from the poster, be available
•Don’t spend the time visiting with friends•Remember, this is your professional
“calling card”
Living on the Edge
• If your poster gets delayed, lost, or destroyed:▫Remember, Kinkos is your friend
Ask the concierge for local business centers▫Be able to access key content
Take key content and/or poster PDF with you on a flash drive &/or email it to yourself
Leave key content on a server you can access remotely
Leave key content on a disk with someone at home you can contact
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