This document provides guidance on creating an effective academic poster. It recommends including the title, author(s) contact details, introduction, methods, results, conclusions, and references. For layout, it suggests using headings in 50-60 pt font, body text in 24 pt font, and line spacing of 1.0. Photos should be at least 150 dpi for print. Charts and tables should be kept simple with enlarged text and thickened lines. The poster should have a limited color scheme, be proofread thoroughly, and explained to audiences to promote discussion of the research.

1. How to create an academic poster

2. What is an academic poster?
• Introduction to you and your research
• Presentation of what you’ve found out
• To promote discussion

3. Using PowerPoint
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqgjgwIXadA

4. Plan your content
• Purpose?
• Audience?
• Detailed information/brief summary?
• Displayed where?
• Any set guidelines?

5. Include…
• Title, author(s) and contact details
• Introduction
• Methods
• Results
• Conclusions
• Literature cited
• Acknowledgments
• Further information

6. Layout

7. Text Formatting
• Headings and sub-headings
• Font – serif/ sans-serif?
• No more than two fonts

8. Font size
Title = 80 pt.
Sub-headings = 50 – 60 pt.
Normal (body) text = 24 pt.

9. Line spacing
Blocks of text in a small font can be made easier to read by
increasing the line spacing. It is recommended to use line
spacing = 1.0 as illustrated here with 24 pt. font
Title text needs decreased line-spacing, such as 0.9, otherwise it
looks a bit weird!

10. Text alignment
Left, right, centre or justified?
Left aligned text is easiest to read.
Avoid using justified – although it looks neater it
creates strange gaps in the text making it
difficult to read.

11. Case
• UPPER CASE CAN BE DIFFICULT TO READ AND IS
ALSO PERCEIVED TO BE SHOUTING!!!
• Underlined text can also be difficult to read.
Online it usually indicates a link
• Use italics instead, but sparingly
• Bold is good if you want to draw attention to
something in the main text

12. Pictures
Screen resolution = 72 pixels/dots per inch (dpi)
Print resolution = 150 – 300 dpi

13. Charts and tables
• Keep simple
• Enlarge text
• Thicken lines
• Avoid 3D

14. Copyright
• Use own or those you have permission to use
• Creative commons
• pexels.com or pixabay.com
• See FoBIT site
search.creativecommons.org

15. University logo
The University Logo can be downloaded
from https://staff.plymouth.ac.uk/dpc/intranet.htm
(log-in required)
DO NOT ALTER IT!

16. Colour scheme
• 2 or 3 colours plus black, which is always best
for the smallest text.
• Choosing colours from charts and images in
your poster will give a smart, uniform feel.
• Good combinations:-

17. Proof-read and print
Check your poster thorughly for speling mitakes
and grammaticl errors before you send it to
prnt.
NB – to print, save your poster as a PDF (Print)

18. Present
• Explain your poster and answer questions
• Print A4 versions?
• Allow people to photograph?
• Take business cards

19. Further help & support
• See our Moodle site!
• Visit us in CKY 020
• Email flea.palmer@plymouth.ac.uk