Poster Guidelines 
 

General Information

A poster presentation consists of a visual display of research highlights on a fiberboard background combined with an interpersonal question and answer period.  The content of an effective poster presentation should be direct, focused, and concise.  Investigators are requested to be available for a specified period of two hours to discuss methods and results with interested visitors and colleagues. 

The conference final program (which will be included on the conference Web site and distributed at the conference) and will include the dates for all poster sessions, an individual poster assignment number for each poster, and specific time for each session. 

Suggestions on Design, Materials and Production

A poster is basically an artistic expression of scientific data.  Posters usually have eye-catching -- yet simple -- drawings, diagrams, graphs, and/or photographs with clean and attractive layouts. 

Listed below are suggestions that you may find helpful in developing your poster presentation. 

A. Sources for design and production

       1. Art department - your institution

       2. Commercial art schools

       3. Commercial - artists

       4. Graphic designers

       5. Advertising agencies 

B. Materials

       1. Background materials

a. Color sheets and film overlays

b. Matte and glossy surfaces, most self-sticking brands - Pantone color paper, Pantone, color/tint overlays, chartpak

c. Hot press illustration board - very smooth, less absorbent surface than regular grade 

C. For printing and drawing

       1. Color keys

       2. Computer systems that are capable of generating large, readable type

       3. Professionally set type

       4. Press type (rub on)

              - Geotype, Letraset, Chartpak, Format

              - Border tapes (rub on) Same brands as above 

D. Readability of posters

  Poster sessions for presenting medical/scientific papers are viewed by a large audience.  To accommodate a group at a single poster presentation, the size of the lettering (type) must be large enough to be legible at a distance of approximately six feet. 

  The six best color combinations to use in preparing art work are listed below.  Remember the key is contrast, so in choosing your colors and shades, keep this in mind.  Simple use of color can add emphasis effectively.

       1. Black on white

       2. Red on white

       3. Green on white

       4. Blue on white

       5. White on blue (no diazo)

       6. White on black 

  If the presentation is typeset, choose a typeface (design of the type) that is particularly simple and clear (Helvetica, for example).  The weight of the type chosen (the thickness of each letter) should be medium or bold. 

  The actual size of the type is measured in "Points.”  To be legible at a distance of eight feet, the minimum type size used should be 30 points.  Below are suggestions of type for viewing at various distances. 

  To be legible at: Use: 

  8 feet 30 pt. M 

  10 feet 48 pt. M 

  14 feet 72 pt. M 

Instructions for Poster Presentation

Your presentation should contain succinct headings that organize and logically display the information.  Graphics should be explicit and brief.  Elaboration is best done verbally -- just as if it were an oral presentation using slides.  A short legible "Introduction" and a "Summary of Conclusions" are essential. 

The poster display should focus on:

       - Hypothesis or Objectives

       - Methods

       - Results or Outcomes