Making a Poster

Part I. Style and Organization

1. Use a minimum of text with a big font. THIS IS NOT A TERM PAPER. Posters are for quick scanning, not intense reading. Also, emphasize important words and points with boldface, capitals or a different color of text.
2. Emphasize large, clear, simple graphs, figures and photos. It is far better to make a point with a straightforward graph or figure, accompanied by a short caption, than with a long stretch of text. Graphs are always better than tables. AVOID TABLES, unless they are extremely short and simple—even then, a graph is better.
3. TELL A STORY. We all follow and remember a story better than a collection of unrelated facts. Your panels should proceed logically from one to the next. If there is any doubt, number them or add arrows.
4. Emphasize your KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Anyone who wants detailed background information concerning your study, or needs to know about methodological subtleties, can ask you.
5. USE COLOR. Colorful photos and figures are always more eye-catching and easier to follow than black and white.
6. Include a PHOTO OF YOURSELF. Then people can easily find you if you are not next to your poster, as is often the case in poster sessions. A photo of your mentor is a good idea, too.
7. You should not need to cite a lot of literature. If you do cite some, put your literature cited section in much smaller font, using minimal space, toward the end of the poster.
8. Acknowledge your funding sources--including the UW-Whitewater Undergraduate Research Program! We also require all our students to include a UW-W logo on their posters, usually on the bottom right. You can download a suitable logo here.
9. REVISE, REVISE, REVISE! Just like any other formal communication, your poster will get better after other people critique it, provided you listen to them seriously and make a genuine effort at revising and dealing with any problems. To have time for revision, START EARLY!
10. Get the SIZE RIGHT: Our printer is run most easily if each poster is 40 inches wide and 40 inches high (although NCUR allows up to 46" in width). That is probably three columns of material .

Part II. Using Powerpoint to make your poster.

1. Create a new file using the Blank layout. Go to Page Set-up and choose Custom. Select a size of 40” by 40”. NCUR allows up to 46" width so if you really need to make your poster wider you can. However, this can make printing more complicated so don't make it wider if you don't need to. Here is a template file you can use if you wish.
2. You can choose a background now or later by going to Format … Background. You can choose a color or a pattern, either of which can be customized substantially. You can also insert a picture as your background. This can work nicely, especially if you “mute” the picture a little first in Photoshop, mainly by reducing contrast. This can make it less distracting and allow text to stand out more easily. If you use a picture, make sure it is appropriate for your poster and complements, rather than distracts from, the rest of your presentation. Also make sure your choice of font-color, together with your choice of picture, leaves your text easily readable. Try to avoid reds on greenish backgrounds (and vice versa) for the sake of color-blind individuals. DON'T USE the "Format Slide Design" option. For some reason we have occasionally had trouble printing when this is used.
3. Insert text boxes as needed then customize their formatting. Arial is a good choice for a font throughout. Text should generally be at least 28pt, over 64pt for your title. The title should go in the top, at the center. Other text boxes should follow a logical sequence and normally each should be accompanied by a figure of some sort. If you have used a picture or pattern as background, you may want to give your text box its own background, say light gray, and click on the box that makes it “semi-transparent.” To do this, click on the edge of your textbox then go to Format … Textbox. Click on fill and choose a color, then click on semi-transparent. This allows you to see the underlying pattern but enhances contrast with the text.
4. Insert individual figures by going to Insert … Picture … from File. JPEG’s work well. Use Photoshop or another image-editor to get your picture to about the right size and resolution before you insert it.
5. I usually insert data figures from Excel by just copying and pasting. It is best to get all the axes and their labels into near-final shape while still in Excel. Otherwise you may have to ungroup everything, which can make a mess.
6. You may occasionally have to group or ungroup or move items to the front (foreground, easy to see) or back (background, sometimes hidden). You do all this from the draw menu or by right clicking the object you want to move.
7. Everything is easier, and your poster is easier to visualize, if you have a big monitor (like the one in Undergraduate Research). At least try to check your poster out on a large monitor before you print it.
8. Remember, garbage in, garbage out. The work is the most important thing. This is all window-dressing (but important window-dressing). Get feedback and second opinions on your poster from people whose judgment you respect.

Final Tips for the Poster Session: At the poster session itself, don't be shy. If anyone looks at your poster, give them a guided tour of it--you should have a 5 minute account of your work practiced and ready. Be sure to make good use of your images and graphs during this!