Presenting your research in a large poster format is normal in the sciences especially at big conferences. However, posters are becoming more common as a form of assignment in all subjects as they combine oral, visual, and written communication skills.
Our top tips
Not an essay on a board
Too much text will overwhelm your audience. Think of a main message or aspect of your research that you want to convey. This handout gives a quick summary of key things to consider when designing a poster:
Plan your poster
Think in terms of blocks of information arranged in columns (like a comic or newspaper). Sketch out your layout on paper before creating it. See this guide for a good introduction to basic block layouts:
Think visually
Use graphs, diagrams, and pictures where relevant to communicate your message more powerfully than words. This video shows the technical aspects to consider when doing visual design:
Use Powerpoint
A simple way to create your poster is using a single slide in Powerpoint. See this video on using Powerpoint to design a poster:
Printing
For a high-quality, colour poster in a large size format, use a professional print service like Brookes Print. Check any size, file and printing requirements before you commit to a certain design.
Presenting
The principles of good oral presentations apply, such as not reading it directly, or standing in front so your audience can’t see. But a poster presentation can be more informal and like a conversation with multiple people. See this short overview of what to consider, and the longer video with more developed presentation tips: