1. Designing Academic Posters
Gareth Johns
IT Skills Development Advisor

2. Objectives By the end of this session you should be able to:
Explain the purpose and characteristics of good academic posters.
Design academic posters that use:
Layout
Text
Images
Charts and Diagrams
to communicate your message effectively.
Know which training course to attend to fully develop AND certify your PowerPoint skills!

3. Purpose of academic posters?
Present an idea or research details
Promote discussion.
Academic convention, used to conferences to introduce you and your research
Purpose of academic posters?

4. Features of academic posters
Visual
Clear
Concise
Self-explanatory
Evidenced
Visual – your poster should attract potential readers. Graphics (charts and images) are a great ‘hook’ to draw-in your audience
Clear – text should be easy to read and grouped under appropriate headings. The layout of the poster should create a natural flow that sequences the content logically.
Concise – typically academic posters are between 300 – 800 words. Charts and tables can be used to summarise numerical data.
Self-explanatory – a poster cannot comprehensively explain your research, but it should include enough information that your audience understands the gist of your work.
Evidenced – details of any original research undertaken should be given, as should references to additional sources cited in the poster.
Features of academic posters

5. Planning Analyse Task Research Plan Content Plan Design
What message are you trying to convey? – What’s the purpose of the poster? Who is your target audience – specialist, related or general audience?
Research the content, make notes, find sources.
What’s the purpose of the poster? What are the key points you want to make. How will you structure your content? E.g. findings might be structured as so:
Title
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Could also be structured by topic headings, or key concepts (or themes)
What images/charts will you use?
4. How will sections be laid out on the page? (Sketch). What colour scheme will you use? Additional design elements (e.g. logos)?

6. Doing Write content Create graphics Finalise Design Quality Control
Write the text. Remember: clear and concise, use bullet points if you want, but they should be full sentences. Remember to use evidence and cite references where used. Might want to do this in Word, then copy into PowerPoint.
Charts: Use clear and unambiguous charts, avoid “chart junk”. Images: high resolution images that clear copyright. Not a problem if you take your own pictures.
Create your layout, remember to leave an appropriate amount of white space. Align neatly. Add design elements that enhance your poster. Choose a colour scheme.
Quality control – proofread, proofread again. Check layout, print a smaller version of your poster.

7. Task 1: Setting up your poster
Download the poster template from study.cardiffmet.ac.uk/Help/Training
Add your own title, author and headings.
Resize and move placeholders to fit your intended layout.
Choose a text alignment, font and font size.

8. Task 2: Finding and using images
Use a Google image search to find a suitable image. It should be
High quality (good resolution)
Free to use legally
Insert the image onto your poster.
Resize, crop and position appropriately.
Use adjustment tools (brightness, contrast etc.) and picture styles to enhance your image.
Extension Idea

9. Task 3: Working with Charts
Insert a chart onto your poster.
Add data.
Choose a chart layout and design.
Size and position appropriately.
Copy the chart from the “Trends in supply….” spreadsheet. Link the presentation and spreadsheet together, instead of embedding.
Extension Idea

10. Recap You should now be able to:
Explain the purpose and characteristics of good academic posters.
Design academic posters that use:
Layout
Text
Charts
Images
to communicate your message effectively.

11. Microsoft Office Specialist
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a globally renowned qualification programme that certifies expertise in Office software.
Microsoft qualification, developed by them in partnership with Certiport. Offered in 141 countries.
There are 7 exams, at three different levels covering the main Office products:
Excel
Word
PowerPoint
Outlook
Access
Microsoft qualification that allows you to prove you have the Office skills you claim

12. 85%
supervisors say certified employees are more productive because of MOS
Why MOS?
Several reasons:
Boosts productivity - more efficient, more effective

13. 99% 1% MOS participants who substantially increased Office know-how
Did not substantially increase Office know-how 1%
Increases knowledge and skills

14. 82% certified employees said MOS gave them more confidence
Boosts confidence
certified employees said MOS gave them more confidence

15. hiring managers indicate IT certifications are high or medium priority
86%
hiring managers indicate IT certifications are high or medium priority

16. MOS PowerPoint proves skills
On passing the exam:
Become a Microsoft Office Specialist in PowerPoint 2016
Hard copy of the certificate (free)
Digital certificate
Digital badge - integrates with LinkedIn
HEAR validated activity
Evidence for PDP/CPD

17. MOS PowerPoint – Course Aim
“Learn the design principles and technical skills that are required to create great looking slides that complement your presentations”

18. Learn. Practice. Certify
Comprehensive e-learning course – 6 “CMet Lessons”
MOS PowerPoint Moodle Module - tinyurl.com/MOS-PP-Moodle
Two “Key Concept” sessions – explore key concepts and get help from course team
Induction and Designing Effective Slides
Purposeful Animation

19. Learn. Practice. Certify
CMet PowerPoint Projects – included in e-learning and
CMet PowerPoint “Final” Projects – one per lesson, peer assessed and feedback given
GMetrix practice software – excellent simulation of the MOS exam.
Support:
Key Concept sessions
Yammer Group - –
In Person – Tech Support Desk in Learning Centres
Final projects are assessed by other learners and you will assess theirs – helps you learn.

20. Learn. Practice. Certify
Exam: PowerPoint 2016: Core Presentation Design and Delivery Skills; Exam
Exam sessions in November and December
50 minutes, computer assessed exam. Need to complete several PowerPoint “projects”.
Free. Other universities charge up to £75 for the exam alone. We are offering the training, resources and exam for free

21. Contact Us training@cardiffmet.ac.uk 029 2041 7000 7000
Live Chat available on Help Centre.
Visit the IT Advisors in the Learning Centres.
Visit an IT Advisor in the Learning Centres