How to Prepare and Present a Technical PosterTracy Volztmvolz@rice.eduCain ProjectRice University

Posters Present a ChallengePosters must be lean and cleanPosters must stand aloneAudiences come and go

Todays PlanReview and apply design principles Promote your News

Whats The News?

Whats YOUR News?What problem are you solving?What are your results/conclusions?What sets your work apart? New theoretical approach / methods / interpretation of dataWhy does your work matter? How can your work be applied?

Connect with the AudienceWhy are they interested?What are their backgrounds?How will they benefit?What are their questions?

Support for The NewsRank info: MUST / Good / niceInclude the MUST Add some GoodSave nice details for discussion

Make The News AccessibleInclude problem stmt/obj or abstractUse specific headingsReduce jargon

Visualize The News

VISUALIZE The NewsIs it problem / solution?Is it an image?Is it a contrast? (old vs. new)Is it a demonstration?

Relate News to LayoutMatch visualization to layoutLeft-to-right flow in vertical columnsLeft-to-right flow in horizontal rowsCentered image with explanationsTwo fields in contrast

L-to-R Flow in Vertical ColumnsFlows top to bottom, left to rightTitle & Authors

Title & AuthorsResultsMethodsGoalsProblem

Table 1ConclusionsFig 2

L-to-R Flow in RowsTitle & AuthorsPart 1Part 2Part 3

Centered Image & ExplanationsTitle & AuthorsAbstract

Two Fields in ContrastTitle & Authors

Guide the ReaderScale expresses relative importanceIndenting shows subordinationAs in this exampleWhite space directs gazeColor adds emphasis or coherence

Font Style and SizeTitle (6 8 words)Sans Serif90 - 120 ptHeadings (3 words)Sans Serif 36 - 48 ptTextSans serif 30 - 36 pt.

Principles of ExplanationIntroduce figure beforehandDiscuss figure afterwardTag images with explanations

If you design a poster that looks like this . . .

your audience will react like this

Fat Text - - to - - Lean Text 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 anestheticsQuick sedationQuick recoveryFew side effectsSafe to handle

Details Matter!Check for consistent formatting Check grammar & spellingUse a correct bibliographyGive credit to others Include contact info

Problems Producing VisualsSizeColorsLabelsUnitsChart junkSignificant figures and error bars

Graph -- draft

Graph -- final

Occupancy Rates 2003

No Overall Change in Occupancy Rates 2003West towerEast towerNorth tower

Present The News

SHOW What You Know!Prepare 1, 2, and 5 minute talksBegin by summarizing NewsReinforce key findingsCatch up newcomers quicklyAsk audience questions

Communicate with ConfidenceTalk to audienceStand up straightIntegrate gestures

Use voice to convey enthusiasmAdjust pacing