Guidelines for Preparing Effective Posters

Authors will be assigned a presentation time during one of the three 2-hour poster sessions. Authors are expected to stand at their posters throughout the assigned session.

Each poster author will be assigned to share a poster board. Each author will have a net useable space measuring 3'10" (116.8 cm) wide x 3'8" (111.8 cm) high.

Design of effective posters requires careful thought and advance preparation. It is not sufficient to enlarge an abstract and add a few figures. When planning a poster, the first task is to identify the one, two, or three principal messages you have to convey. Then work out the most effective presentation and choose a headline to help highlight each point.

Poster presentations should be designed to summarize current research in graphic forms: charts, tables, graphs, pictures, etc. Your poster should be self-explanatory so that you are free to supplement and discuss particular points raised in inquiry. The following suggestions will help in preparing effective posters.

Mounting and Arranging Materials

• Prepare a heading at the top of your poster indicating the abstract title, authors, and affiliations.
• Lettering should be at least 1" (2.54 cm) high.
• Materials should be mounted on thin, colored poster paper or cardboard and mounted on the poster board with push pins that will be provided.
• Arrange materials in columns.

Illustrations

• Remember that your presentation must be readable from distances of at least 3' (91.44 cm). Keep visual materials simple and clear.
• Detailed information should be provided in smaller type below the heading. Details of methodology should be brief and should be placed at the end of the legend.
• Simple use of color can add effective emphasis.
• Audiovisual equipment is not permitted in the poster board area.
• Do not write or paint directly on the poster boards.

Computer/Video-Enhanced Poster Presentations

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