STCC Library Tech TalkCreating an Effective Poster

Anna Bognolo, STCC Library23 March 2016

Why a Poster?

● Posters are a visual communication tool that offer quality information in a different medium from the oral presentation or written paper

● Posters offer a “snapshot” of your work and serve as ○ A source of information○ A conversation starter○ A summary of your work○ An advertisement of your work

Where do you use a Poster?

● Conferences of all sizes (often called “Poster Sessions”)

● Your school/College (secondary schools to Higher Ed), where often creating a poster is a required component of a research assignment

What do Posters look like?

An “effective” Poster will?

● Engage colleagues/professionals/classmates in conversation about your work

● Encourage the viewer to want to learn more about your project

● Get feedback (and ideas) on your research from those who stop to speak with you

Elements of an “effective” Poster?

● A catchy title

● Visually appealing-- ○ Good and balanced use of graphics/images, text and color○ Uses headings to help viewers find what they are looking for: objectives, results, conclusions

● Informative -- expresses succinctly what it is that you are doing/done

● A prepared 3-5 minute “elevator speech”○ Be ready to talk about/explain your research/project. Don’t read your poster!

● A summary handout○ Provides a written record that will help your visitors remember you and your project. Include

your contact information on it! It can be bullet points or a copy of the poster

● Your contact information

A Poster should not have...

● Lots of text -- it is NOT your research paper stuck to a board!

● Clutter

● Too many bright colors or patterns

How to create a Poster

There are two methods for creating a poster:

1. Print out text and graphics and glue to a trifold

How to create a Poster

2. Use presentation software or online poster templates to help you create a poster

● Presentation software include○ Google Slides (available through your email in

Google Drive)○ Microsoft Word document○ Microsoft PowerPoint document

● Use a web-based print service, or take your poster file on a USB to your local copy center (Staples, Kinko) for printing

Step-by-step Creating a Poster in Google Drive

1. Log in to your gmail account and go to Drive

2. Select “New” then select “Slides”

3. Title the new document

Step-by-step Creating a Poster in Google Drive

4. Resize the document for a poster:

a. Go to “File” and select “Page Setupb. In the dropdown box select “Custom” and

type in the size of the poster you want (Standard sizes include 11 x 17 inches or 24 x 36 inches. For a poster with short-side down (portrait) you would type 24 x 36 inches, for a poster wide-side down (landscape) you would type 36 x 24 inches)

Step-by-step Creating a Poster in Google Drive

5. Now is time to be creative! Use the toolbar for layout and decorative elements

6. Remember to include:

● Title● Logo (if you have one)● Labelled sections (if necessary)● Your contact information● Lots of images/graphics and FEWER words!

7. Make sure that your ● Font is legible from a distance● The document isn’t cluttered

Step-by-step Creating a Poster in Google Drive

8. When you have finished creating your document, you may

● Share it via email

● Download it into a Microsoft compatible format (PowerPoint) or PDF and then load onto a USB or email to printing company

● You can also print a smaller version to be handed out at the poster session

At the Poster Session

● You are expected to stand by your poster for the duration of the session○ Make sure to eat and drink (or have food nearby) and use the bathroom before the poster

session starts!

● Talk to people! You may have to grab their attention, so bring “swag” such as candy or chocolates! This makes people stop and come close to you so that you can then start a conversation!

● Have your elevator speech and handouts ready to share!

● Enjoy yourself!