Design and Layout

Deciding between “arts and crafts” and software-generated posters

You can attempt to build a poster by cutting and pasting content onto panels of colored matte board, the default method for the most of the last century.  Such “arts and crafts” posters, when properly executed, are often superior to anything that you could make with a poster printer, but to do them well is a challenge for the busy and artistically challenged.

Using a template

Template files for scientific posters can be found on the internet by conducting a search in Google for “poster template” and then adding the application name (e.g., PowerPoint).  The PowerPoint template shown below is designed for a 91 x 142 cm (36 x 56”) poster, but it can be easily modified for other sizes.  Be sure to check the maximum size allowed (which varies from conference to conference because the display boards available differ) and do not exceed it.   In this template, page dimensions, column number, column width, and font size are all preformatted to produce a poster that is readable from 2 meter away.  This template is designed to have a good amount of blank space, which is critical for a readable poster.  Try to resist the temptation to use this blank space to cram in more background information; a good rule of thumb is 35% blank space.

Try to keep your word count as low as possible to maximize the chance that viewers will actually read your poster: shoot for well under 500 words.  This will be painfully difficult if you are attempting to fully document everything you have done, but posters with too many words will cause viewers to just read your figures or, more likely, to avoid your poster altogether.

What sections to include and what to put in them

Title:  This should convey the "issue," the approach, and the system.  It needs to be catchy in order to "reel in" passersby.  [Maximum length: 1-2 lines.]

Abstract:  Do not include an abstract on a poster!  If you are presenting your poster at a meeting, you will probably be asked to submit an abstract; this abstract is for inclusion in the "meeting catalog," not for on your poster.  It is often advisable to distribute a single sheet of paper that includes your abstract and contact information on one side, and a reduced version of the poster on the other side.

Introduction: Get your viewer interested about the issue or question while using the absolute minimum of background information and definitions. Quickly place your issue in the context of a conservation issue and provide a description of your approach.  It is good to use a photograph in this section if it can get your viewers oriented to your study question quickly.  [Maximum length:  approximately 100 words.]

Materials and methods:  Briefly describe your methods, perhaps using a figure to illustrate your design and a flow chart (text or drawings within boxes connected by arrows) to summarize key steps.  List statistical analyses that were used.  [Maximum length: approximately 100 words.]

Results:  Present succinct statements of your key findings linked to figures and tables.  For example:  “Fish population densities increased after reserves were established (Fig. 1)”  Including 3-5 key figures and tables may make this your longest section but the text (apart from legends) can probably be less then 100 words.

Discussion/Conclusions:  A few concise statements to convey your take home messages with a particular emphasis on conservation implications.    [Maximum length: approximately 200 words.]

The next two sections may be expected by protocol but will seldom be read so a small font for the contents is appropriate.

Literature cited:  Follow standard biology format exactly.  [Length: 0-5 citations.]

Acknowledgments:  List funding sources and individuals who helped with the project.  [Maximum length:  approximately 40 words.]

Further information:  Provide your e-mail address and perhaps a URL where they can download a PDF version of the poster or any relevant articles you have written.  [Maximum length:  approximately 20 words.

Note for the lazy

If you are well funded, you can simply e-mail your text and graphics (as attachments) to a company that will arrange, format, and print your poster to your specifications.  They will then mail it (with pushpins if you need them!) to you or directly to your meeting location.  Search “scientific posters powerpoint site” (or something like that) on Google to get the names of some of these companies.