Creating Posters of Intrigue and Knowledge Transfer Lynn Shaw July 2010 Sharing the delight of poster creation and use

Shaw Principle One: Consider the target audience Who is going to read this poster at the conference and beyond? (academics, consumers, students) What do you want to tell them? What is your 30 second message? What do you want them to remember? Why do you want to attract them to stay at your poster? Is this a poster defense? Is this an interactive poster, if not, why not? How do or will you deliver the message to the audience beyond what is written and illustrated? ( keep in mind the poster serves for those who read it but also for what and how you want to share your message in person)

Shaw Principle: Consider the conference guidelines for use re logos etc, contests and themes This denotes size of poster and anchors you in terms of poster layout Conference guidelines helps you decide the quality of the poster, black or white, colour, lamination is it worth it? Conference themes helps you build creativity into your poster as you consider the message…

Shaw Principle: Sizing the poster Size denotes the basics for font sizes, headers, visual images – today I will share some of mine To attract attention – NEVER USE times roman on a poster – GO For interest, friendly, easy to read accessible fonts, what is pleasing to you – your most preferred font is probably your best bet. Even if the conference is a technical and highly traditional re posters, the font can make a difference in the effectiveness in getting your message or the knowledge you intend to transfer.

Shaw Principle: Size -Start with a template The font sizes for readability is not really scientific – I am sure you can find guidelines – I go by experience – so lets take a look at some of the examples. Generally you need to have fonts that attract the reader to scan your poster for main points within about seconds or they go onto the next one and will not read your.

Shaw Principle: Size -Start with a template Decide on the software – I use ppt with some image development in photo shop. I will use examples that I have. Newer versions of ppt and Mac applications will lend to you developing posters beyond my imagination. Set the grid in ppt to the size of poster you are going to use….work in the actual size you will print poster. Group all of the items on the poster before you take it to the print shop. I will take on stick or CD. I take my posters to the print shop but you can them to some places. Check with your local print shop and make sure ahead of time they can do this size.

Shaw Principle: Colour- Remember the Crayola Colour is everything!!!! Contrast is important Dark and light – make it easy to read. (consider if you will make black and white copies for handouts) Colour leads the eye – shading is important – drawing into centre or drawing the eye top to bottom and vise versa or on an angle. Colour is and must be thematic on the poster it must have meaning and be consistent with the message. – Lets be creative …. Stick with complimentary colours, use a theme of colours, do not use too many 2-3 max.

Shaw Principle: Be conceptual – Consider rainbows and brainstorms If you could draw or illustrate your key messages from your work what would it look like? What picture comes to mind as a way to tell your story or the most salient findings? How consistent is the illustration with the concepts or key take home messages from the poster? Talk with others about what makes sense! Be bold and brainstorm with others!

Shaw Principle: Attend to the basics – frugal yet salient is best Include all of the basic components the conference requires Draft out words and phrases for each section first Use bullets, short sentences, - if you were going to spend the time to read information on a poster what would you want to know. How many sentences are you willing to read while staring at a poster – not many!!!