Case Study: Designing Your Poster

Designing Your Poster

How to design your poster for large format printing

Academic posters are used for a variety of purposes:

• To advertise your department, university, research group or yourself
• To help start a conversation and raise an interest in your work
• To inform of an issue or persuade
• To make new contacts for collaboration and jobs

A poster is a visual method of presentation and requires a different approach to writing a report or giving a presentation. It allows you to discuss your research and get feedback.

Things to consider before designing your poster

1. Objective

To grab attention and inspire interest. It is important to make it look interesting (if you want it to be read).

There should be a strong central message with your research displayed concisely using well laid out clear text and colourful graphics to attract attention.

Things to consider before designing your poster

2. Audience

Who is your audience?

• Specialist
• Students
• General public

How much existing knowledge does your audience have of your research project, methods and terminology? Design your poster accordingly.