Poster Presentations:
Design and Delivery
Joanne Lax
Graduate Technical
Communications & Professional
Development Specialist
1
“It takes intelligence, even brilliance, to condense and focus
information into a clear, simple presentation that will be read and
remembered. Ignorance and arrogance are shown in a crowded,
complicated, hard-to-read poster.”
Mary Helen Briscoe, quoted in R. Day, How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper, 5
th
ed., 1998.
Don’t reuse
the same
poster!
2
What are Poster Presentations?
• Alternative to paper presentation
• Allow much more research to be
presented
3
Poster Purpose
• To communicate your research
• To get feedback before submitting a
manuscript for publication*
• To network with others in the field
• To promote your work/you before entering the
job market
*may have already done this
Adapted from S. Plunkett, “Tips on Poster Presentations at Professional Conferences”
4
Poster Presentation Pros & Cons
5
• No captive audience
• Limited space for message
• Awkward to transport
Cons
• More relaxed
• Attractive medium
• More personal
Pros
Posters ≠ PowerPoint Slides
6
The Engineering Communication Manual,
pp. 447-449
Posters ≠ Written Reports
7
Unprofessional Poster Design
8
Effective Poster Design
9
Poster Planning Steps
Title
Main
points
Know
format
Pick
images
Pick
template
Select
info.
Plan
flow
Limit
detail
24
pt.
font
10
Poster Negatives
• Too much text & too small font size
• Poor organization
• Too crowded
• Poorly reproduced/enlarged images
• Interference from color/background
• No ‘take-away’ message
11
Think Visually
• Avoid large blocks of continuous text
• Use bullet points
• Create a logical flow of information with
boxes and headings
• Include relevant, colorful, clearly labeled,
and legible images
• Remember that white space is good
12
Poster Presentation Design
Background/
Introduction
Results (1)
Objectives
Methods (1)
Methods (2)
Results (2)
Future Refs.
Conclusions
Results (4)
Results (3)
Common TAIMRAD headings
13
Bad Line Graph
14
Layout for Equal Content
15
Radial Layout for Single Main
Visual Display
16
Staggered Layout for Steps
17
The Engineering Communication
Manual, pp. 447-449
Poster Templates
18
MSE
frequently
uses this
portrait
template
Poster Design Principles
• Proximity
• Related elements
• Alignment
• Left or center justify
• Repetition
• Design elements
• Contrast
• Different fonts
• Contrasting colors
or ones with meaning
19
Poster Font Advice
• ≥ 18 pt. (can be read from 6’-9’ away)
• 24 pt. for text, bigger for headings
• Sans serif font for titles/headings
• Arial or Helvetica
• Serif font for text
• Palatino or Times New Roman
Be consistent in font style & size for
same place in hierarchy
20
Ethical Considerations
• Only actual authors’ names belong
• Don’t list ‘ghost’ authors
• Use citations (in conference-appropriate
style) for
• Summarizing, paraphrasing
• Use of visuals created by others
21
Proofreading is Necessary
22
Poster Guidelines & Resources
• Vary according to the conference
• Check poster specs!
• Google for guidelines for creating a
poster using PowerPoint 2007, 2010,
2013
• Check out YouTube for numerous
instructional videos
23
Audience Considerations
24
• Who are they?
• How do you find out?
• What is the impact of audience awareness on
the poster?
Next Session
• Learn about delivering a poster presentation
• Review several authentic conference posters
25
Winning undergraduate
poster from the 2017
ASEE Zone II
Conference in San Juan,
Puerto Rico.
Poster Transportation/Set-up
• Use a rigid cardboard poster tube or borrow one
• Keep it with you during travel
• Know the logistics for displaying posters
• Bring necessary mounting supplies
• Bring it back or trash it?
26
Environmental Logistics
• Standing for
hour+
• Wear
comfortable
shoes
• Lighting,
temperature,
noise variations
28
ASEE ’16 Poster Session
29
“Postcard” Talk Poster Session
(ASEE 2016)
30
Features:
• Fewer slides
• Shorter talk
• Poster session
follows
During the PosterPresentation
• The visual appeal of the poster draws people in; you
keep them there with your oral message
31
Poster Presentation
Expectations
Presenters stand by poster
• Answer questions
• May present short talk every
few minutes
Table may be provided for
objects, demos, handouts
32
Short Talk Components
• Concise, well organized
• Stress motivation/objectives,
method(s), key results, impact
• Be conversational in tone
• Adjust technical content to
audience
33
Know your main points!
Good Communication is
Crucial
Oral and
nonverbal
• Eye contact
• Gestures
• Posture
• Attire
34
Special Challenges
Presenters interact
with a changing,
diverse audience
35
Listeners come and go &
spend varying amounts of
time
• Expect interruptions
• Be flexible
Professional Behavior Tips
Wear a
nameta
g
Be early,
stay the
whole time
Offer
business
cards,
handouts
Greet
viewers
with smile,
“hello”
Don’t talk with
one person,
ignore others
Remove
poster
at the
end
37
Bring a
notebook
