Things to Consider When Making a Poster: Effectively Communicating Your Message David Greene, MLIS Liason Librarian, Humanities and Social Sciences Library

 Abstract  Introduction/Background  Study Purpose/Objectives  Methodology/Study Design  Results/Data Analysis (Charts, Graphs, Quotes, etc…)  Key Findings  Final Thoughts/Conclusions  References/Bibliography  Acknowledgements Possible Sections to Include

Preparing Your Material Your material will dictate the design of your poster.

Reduce your text to a few salient points. Have a clear outline of where you are going.

#1 MISTAKE is making your poster too long

Keep it simple

QuarkXPress Indesign (formerly PageMaker) Illustrator PowerPoint Software CorelDraw Freehand OmniGraffle LaTeX Inkscape OR: Try

PowerPoint Templates

Common Issues and Layout

TITLE IN BASIC FONT HEADING TEXT

TITLE IN BASIC FONT HEADING TEXT TITLE IN BASIC FONT HEADING TEXT

Highlight important items

Judicious use of illustrations adds appeal and interest.

Grouping or overlappin g items can add dimension

Leave some white space if your logos need a white background.

HEADING pt TEXT pt TITLE pt HEADING TEXT HEADING TEXT HEADING TEXT LOGO AUTHORS pt AFILIATIONS 9-10 pt Acknowledgements References or Contact info 5 pt

Paper Paper with lamination Cloth Print Out Options

Other things to think about… If it can be avoided, go no larger than 42 – 45” in height. Eight feet long is difficult to follow across. It is not necessary to use all the space allotted. Better to make the poster a comfortable proportion. Before output, make a pdf and enlarge it on your screen to 400%. Consider preparing handouts, and having business cards on hand when presenting your poster.

Places to have posters produced professionally Allow 2 days for output McGill Printing Services MP Photo Reproductions 210 de la Gauchetière O Any size Manomax 1117 Sainte-Catherine St. West, (corner Peel) Suite 312 Montreal (Qc) H3B 1H9 Tel Max size is 36” x infinite For cloth output only Allow 1 week for output Contact image 185, rue du Séminaire Dave Topolinsky

Questions Thank you!