Post on 11-Jan-2016
How to Prepare and Present a Computer Science Poster
John GreinerRice University
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Poster Session Challenges
• Audiences make decisions quickly
• Posters sometimes stand alone
• Audiences come and go as
presenters talk
• Poster must be accessible
– Show overall organization
– Show comparisons
• Poster must be comprehensible
• Speaker must attract others, adapt
to situation
Challenges Solutions
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Today’s Plan
• Textual
• Visual
• Oral
• Pragmatics
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Similar to a Technical Paper
Tell an interesting storyWhat’s your “news”?
• What problem are you solving?• What are your results/conclusions?• What sets your work apart?
– E.g., new algorithm or theoretical approach
• Why does your work matter? • How can your work be applied?
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Similar to a Technical Paper
Structure your story
• Say what you’re going to say Abstract• Say it Body & Results• Say what you said Conclusion
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Make “The News” Accessible
Using structure– Provide a “gist” somewhere (abstract, summary, overview)– Include problem statement or objective– Use specific headings
Using wording– Reduce jargon
Using visuals– Is it an image?– Is it a contrast? (old vs. new)– Is it a demonstration?
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Different From a Technical Paper
Space is at a premium
Interactivity is key
• Be concise – word choice, sentence fragments• Be precise – word choice• Pictures are often more effective than words• Omit unnecessary details
– MUST KNOW Use as your main focus– Good to know Add some– Nice to know Leave details for oral presentation
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If you design a poster that looks like this …
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Your audience will react like this
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The ideal anesthetic should quickly make the patient unconscious but allow a quick return to consciousness, have few side effects, and be safe to handle.
Ideal anesthetics:– Quick sedation– Quick recovery– Few side effects– Safe to handle
Complex Text to Clear TextComplex Text to Clear Text
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Complex Text to Clear Text
Next generation computer games cost approximately 20 to 30 million dollars, require one to three years of development, and may have a short life cycle in the market of only six weeks.
Next-gen game: Investment: $20M–$30M
Development cycle: 1–3 years
Life cycle: 6 weeks
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Think Visually
• Figures & Graphs
• Fonts
• Colors
• Layout
With lots of examples to discuss
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Figures Should Be Accessible & Self-Explanatory
Use tags and/or captions
Caption…
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Problems Producing Graphs & Pictures
• Size
• Resolution
• Colors
• Labels
• Units
• Chart junk
• Significant figures and error bars
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Before
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2.156 2.135
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2.679 2.642
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2.849
1.991
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Run
tim
e R
elat
ive
to U
nmod
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d C
lass
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Empty Loop Loop FieldOperation
Loop MethodInvocation
Microbenchmark
Microbenchmark Performance
Original ClassesModified ClassesModified Optimized
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After
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0.5
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1.5
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2.5
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Empty Loop Loop Field Operation Loop Method Invocation
Ru
nti
me
Rel
ativ
e to
Un
mo
dif
ied
Cla
sses
Original Classes
Modified Classes
Modified Optimized
Microbenchmark Performance
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Before
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1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
0.5 1.25 2.5 4Time (hr)
Cel
l Den
sity
(cel
l/cm
2 )
Untreated Cells TC Treated Cells FN Treated Cells
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After
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0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
Time (hr)
Cel
l Den
sity
(cel
l/cm
2)
Untreated Cells
TC Treated Cells
FN Treated Cells
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Textual Presentation Guides the Reader
• Scale expresses relative importance• Indenting shows subordination
– As in this example
• Color adds emphasis or coherence
• Meaningless font and color changeschanges are distracting
• Avoid low-contrast colors
• White space directs gaze
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Font Style and Size
• Title – about 6-8 words– 90 – 120 pt
• Headings – about 3 words– 36 – 48 pt
• Text– 30 – 36 pt
Sans serif fonts best in large scale – postersSerif fonts best on small scale – papers
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Left-to-Right in Columns
Like a paper, flows top to bottom, left to right
Title & Authors
Title & Authors
ResultsMethods
Goals
Problem Table 1
Conclusions
Fig 2
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Left-to-Right in Rows
Title & Authors
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
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Centered Image & Explanations
Title & Authors
Abstract
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Side-by-Side Compare & Contrast
Title & Authors
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Details Matter!
• Use consistent formatting
• Check grammar & spelling
• Include contact info
• Use a correct bibliography
• Give credit to others
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Connect with the Audience
Greet audience.
Why are they interested?
What are their backgrounds?
How will they benefit?
What are their questions?
Prepare 30 second, 2 minute, and 5 minute talks.• Different levels of interest• Different backgrounds• Be able to summarize key points in 2-3 sentences.• Be able to start from any section.
Reinforce key points.
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Communicate with Confidence
• Stand up straight• Integrate gestures• Don’t block view of
poster• Speak up
• Be enthusiastic• Maintain eye contact• Adjust pacing
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Corporate Affiliates Day Specifics (2009)
Deadlines• By Oct 1: Sign up online with abstract:
https://cohesion.rice.edu/Services/EventReg/?event=CSA9
• By Oct 8: Submit poster for printing• Oct 15: Corporate Affiliates day
Getting help from me• Feedback on draft posters• 1-on-1 presentation coaching session
– Your poster/demo should be done!
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Corporate Affiliates Day Specifics (2009)
• Any size, but mounted on 48”x48” board• Mounted with velcro (provided) or pins
• Posters judged on 3 main criteria:– Technical novelty– Poster design– Oral presentation
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Practicalities
Editing:– LaTeX, PowerPoint – many templates online, or use a friend’s
Printing:– Plotters in Earth Science: http://terra.rice.edu/videos/– Plotter in library: http://library.rice.edu/services/dmc/resources/peripherals/printers/
hp-5500ps-guidelines/– Plotters in Mudd Building: https://docs.rice.edu/confluence/display/ITTUT/Plotters
– University Copy Center in the RMC– One plot/student paid for Corp. Affiliates – email rxg@ for fund #
– FedEx (2455 Rice Blvd.): http://www.fedex.com/us/office/marketing/signsbanners/posters/packages.html
– Relatively expensive! (roughly $70 with white background)– Can print drafts in low resolution / matte (still fairly expensive).
– Takes time – plan ahead.
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Contact info
• John Greiner, greiner@
• More design information at– www.owlnet.rice.edu/~cainproj
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Better organizationBut distracting color contrasts