Developing a Poster Session Margy Ingram Instructional Graphics Coordinator Learning Technology Services University of Wisconsin-Stout 105A Millennium Hall for Research Day, Symposium, & Rotunda Presentations

Organize Information Create single sheet display All information positioned on single sheet Ease of set-up on site Professional appearance Need access to large format printer Laminating may be problematic Easiest to create in Microsoft PowerPoint

Create the Poster Maximum size of layout: Horizontal: 46” x 42” Vertical: 42” x 46” Minimum type size: 32 point Must include: UW-Stout Polytechnic Logo Minimum size: 4” Position up to designer “University of Wisconsin-Stout” in title

Change Layout Size Go to Page Setup (PP 207 select: Design tab > Page Setup group > Page Setup) Go to slides sized for: change to Custom Slides: Select Portrait or Landscape Width (Landscape): up to 46” Height (Landscape): up to 42” – our printer limit

Determine Content Poster is a summary of your research Concentrate on presenting: what is unique and exciting results Must be brief use key words and phrases avoid sentences or paragraphs visualize with pictures, charts and graphs “Chunk” information

Visualize Arrangement Use vertical columns so that participants read down each column, moving from left to right-not backtracking. Title “Chunks” of information

Using Microsoft PowerPoint Go to Page Setup to change the layout size Choose View - turn on gridlines and ruler Begin to add information using text boxes (Insert tab > text boxes) PowerPoint 2003 tutorials available at: PowerPoint 2007 tutorials available at:

Using Templates Select a template where the background does not detract from your information Usually a light background with dark type works best for poster session Do not use a light background with light type Be consistent in the use of the template, type styles, and sizes

Click Design tab > Themes group Move cursor over icons, click on down arrow to see more Watch presentation change as you glide over the icons Select one of the themes shown or browse for additional templates Look at the design/layout of the theme Disregard color/font properties Entire presentation will change Choose a Theme (template)

Using Type Select a readable type style Gothic or Roman (fonts such as Arial & Helvetica are Gothic; Times is Roman) Select medium or bold weight (seldom use extra bold or heavy) Avoid Script or Old English type (never use them as all CAPITIAL letters)

Determining Type Size Make lettering large enough to be read at a distance Minimum size should be 32 point Titles should be slightly larger - use capital letters only for titles Lower case letters are more easily read

Inserting Text Boxes Select text box icon then click on layout (Insert tab > Text Group > text box) Type information into the box Adjust size, font, color etc. Click on text box, then click on the border to make it a solid line Right click on border and select “Set as Default Text Box” Each text box will have those attributes

How Do I Fit It All On?? Select the most important highlights or unique information Use key words and phrases Use bullets (remember that you can customize them) Be concise – no sentences Leave “white space” Most people will not read paragraphs

Quick Tips Format Tab does not appear until an active area is selected on a slide. Drawing Tools tab appears over the Format tab whenever a text box is active Picture Tools tab appears over the Format tab whenever an image is active Sound Tools and Picture Tools tabs appear whenever a sound file is added Movie Tools and Picture Tools tabs appear whenever a video file is added

Moving Objects/Text Boxes Click on the object/text box to be moved Click on the border of the box so that a solid line appears Locate the 4 arrow keys in the lower right of your keyboard. Move selected box up, down, right or left using the arrow keys To make smaller moves, hold down ctrl key while using the arrow keys

Align Objects or Text Boxes Hold down the shift key and click on each area to be aligned Drawing Tools tab > Drawing group > Arrange icon > Position Objects > Align (PP 2007) Choose alignment type and click Repeat for each group you wish to align

Modify Line Spacing Improve readability - visual separation Click on Line spacing button and select “Line Spacing Options” (Home tab > Paragraph group > top right of four buttons) Change the Spacing by adjusting the Before, After and Line Spacing numbers

Using Charts and Graphs Can visually show complex data in an easily understood format Avoid tables - difficult to grasp in short time

Include Photographs Make photos large enough to be viewed at a distance

Crop unneeded areas (select image: Picture Tools tab > Size group > Crop icon) Compress images (select image: Picture Tools tab > Adjust group > Compress Pictures) Explore other options on Picture Tool Tab Manipulating Images

Transparent Color Use Set Transparent Color tool to make backgrounds of images clear (with image selected: Picture Tools tab > Adjust Group > recolor > Set Transparent Color) With image selected, click on Set Transparent Color icon then click on the image background Great for Logos and images that have a white or colored background that interfere with current layout

Screen Capture – PC Select screen to copy and press prt sc while holding down: alt on a desktop computer fn on a laptop computer Go to appropriate slide and click paste (Home tab > Clipboard group > paste) or Ctrl + V

Screen Capture - Mac Select entire screen to copy and press 3 while holding down the open apple and shift Select a portion of the screen and press 4 while holding down the open apple and shift Cross hairs will appear to allow you to select area desired by clicking and dragging Image file will automatically be placed on the desktop. Insert image into your slide

Finishing Touches Proof, Proof, Proof! Have a friend PROOF! Allow time for printing Stand at the end of your presentation to answer questions Distribute your address to those who would like an electronic copy of your results