Poster Design

Context Where is the poster going to be? Who is going to see it? What will they be doing while they look at it? What do they want?

Purpose What do you want to convey TO your viewers? What do you want FROM your viewers?

Color Bold contrasts Texture Other-than-white background IF the context is right

Dominant Visuals 1 Dominant Image Close-up crops of faces or elements Sharp focal points

Space Negative space is your friend! Don’t clutter it. Leave space Around margins Around the most important elements in the design Between images and text Between lines of text Between individual letters

Typography is also graphic design Type that is readable Type that conveys an appropriate mood for the event Bigger type than you imagine Play with direction Play with the interaction with image Do NOT use multiple fonts—be consistent

Balance, not Centering Resist the temptation to center everything (especially text) Remember that “diagonal” is a direction, too

Simplicity is in Allow us to focus on what you’re trying to convey—makes it easier to decipher “the message” & participate in filling in the gaps

Academic Posters Draw their attention Give them what they need to know Give them needed details Put everything where they expect to see it