1. Creating Effective Conference Posters using PowerPoint
Adam Warren Learning and Teaching Enhancement Unit

2. Write for your audience
non-specialists
clear language, avoid or explain jargon
no more than 3 minutes reading?
what ‘news’ are you offering them?
how will this interest them?
what questions will they be asking?
answer them!

3. Information at a glance
use a big title that catches the eye
use photos to attract attention
use headings to ‘chunk’ information
use bullets to summarise text
use diagrams to summarise ideas
use charts to summarise data
include your name and contact details

4. serif – sans-serif - cursive
Make text legible
make text easy to read from 1m+
large text sizes ( pt) for ‘body text’
avoid CAPITALS
high contrast between text and background
simple but stylish typefaces
avoid long line lengths (max 50 characters)
use columns or text boxes
have someone else check your spelling
serif – sans-serif - cursive

5. Design essentials does the design assist understanding?
lead the eye across / down the text
leave plenty of “white space”
create a clean and consistent look
fonts and sizes, colours and shapes
align design elements – or separate
use colour purposefully
borrow ideas from posters you like

6. Standard poster layouts

7. Creative poster layouts
don’t feel trapped by the guidelines!
use your creativity and imagination
is the structure clear?
is the text legible?
is the design coherent?

8. Layout grids

9. Don’t…
make assumptions about the display arrangements at the conference
try to squeeze too much on to the poster
use fancy fonts and textures
expect print to match screen colour
leave things until the last minute!

10. Poster production Start with the content
text, images and graphics
Decide on overall colour scheme
Create first draft using PowerPoint
get feedback from colleagues
Update and proof-read
Print on large ink-jet

11. How big is A1? European paper standard sizes: A4 21x30 A3 30x42 A2

12. Printing costs Print Centre print it yourself (60p)x
full-colour print and encapsulate:
A2 (42x60) £15 colour inkjet
A1 (60x84) £24 colour inkjet
A0 (84x120) £43 colour inkjet
print it yourself (60p)