The document provides guidance on creating an effective research poster for presenting academic work. It discusses that a research poster should concisely summarize key information through a mixture of text, graphics, diagrams and other visual elements. The poster's content and design should be tailored based on the intended audience, from students to professional conferences. Guidance is given on outlining the poster, choosing an engaging visual style and format, and printing the finalized poster professionally.

1. An Informational Session For the
Summer Undergraduate
Research Scholars Program
at the
Qualcomm Institute,
the University of California, San Diego branch of the
California Institute of Telecommunications and Information
Technology
Ashley M. Richter
Center of Interdisciplinary Science
for Art, Architecture, and
Archaeology

2. •Whatis a Research Poster?
•Planninga Research Poster
•Buildinga Research Poster
•Printinga Research Poster
•EXAMPLES OF RESEARCH POSTERS
•Presentinga Research Poster

4. A research poster is a mixture of abstract text
briefs mixed with tables, graphs, pictures, maps and
other data presentation formats.
Title
Abstract
Flow
Charts
Visual Context/Map
Road Map of
Project
Development
Diagrams
Names & Organizations
Brief Text Blurbs

5. Research posters are presented by the
researcher(s) standing by their poster display
while other participants come by and interact
brieflywith the author

6. Research posters summarize information or
research concisely and attractively to help
publicize it and generate discussion;

7. Research posters are widely used throughout ALL
branchesof the academic and scientific community and
are a common vehicle for rapid research dissemination at
ALL tiers of work: from student presentations through to
professional conferences

8. It’s not about “dumbing it down”
It’s about being able to break it down.
Be Engagingand THEN be erudite
If you can explainyour technical
details and particular breed of
Scienceand make it sound easy
you are winningDon’t get caught up in the
ivory tower- you’ll starve

9. The Public at large
(and remember: the mainstream is
starting to love science)
The Middle Ground/The Dilettantes
(possible funders & backing entities)
Interdisciplinary Professionals
(your collaborators)
The Professional in your Field
(your colleagues)
Your Posters & Presentations
should reflect tiers of
dissemination:

10. YOUR
*Formatting
*Color Choices &
* Graphics Choices
MATTER!

12. *Who is your audience? (which tiers)
*When is the presentation?
*How big should the poster be?
*Are there any specific technical
instructions that should be followed?
*But more important that anything else:
when is the poster printing due date?

13. OUTLINE #1:
Title
Author name(s), affiliation(s)
Introduction
Related work (discussion, not citations)
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
OUTLINE #2:
Title
Author name(s), affiliation(s)
Background
Definition of problem
Possible solutions
Rationale for choice of one solution
Implementation
Evaluation
Pretend you are writing a paper:
Except you also get to decorate it..

14. What kind of information can I
convey during my talk that will
complement my poster?
What is the most
important/interesting/astound
ing finding from my research
project?
How can I visually share my research
with conference attendees? Should I
use charts, graphs, photos, images?
ASK YOURSELF:

15. Determine a clear entry point for
readers, and a logical visual
flow for other graphics.
Once you’ve identified key
points, consider: What will
communicate your key points
most clearly
Find a focal point in your story
that will help draw your viewers
in: a key flowchart or diagram,
or simply a clear main title.

18. Use a VECTOR GRAPHICS tool
Examples:
*Microsoft Powerpoint,
*Adobe Illustrator,
*OpenOffice Impress
Pixel based graphics tools do NOT scale well to poster size (eg, Photoshop, Gimp)

20. * Group related information.
*Use numbering or arrows if
linked content should be read in a
particular order.
*Avoid either oversimplifying (too
little useful information) or
overcomplicating (too much
information).
*Make sure important
graphics or information
stand out clearlyin
your design.
*Use margins to give
your content room to
breathe

21. Be Professional but be Alluring

22. Before sending to printer, save poster as PDF (eg, CutePDF) and
verify poster size and resolution of text and images.
As you place your text and media
content: keep zooming in & out to
evaluate their visual impact and
any crowding issues
It’s much easier to build if you have
everything ready so you only have
to build a collage of text & images
Don’t forget your logos!

24. *Need to be printed
professionally
*Can be expensive
*Must be sure of your
document before you
send it to the printer

34. It’s not about “dumbing it down”
It’s about being able to break it down.
Be Engagingand THEN be erudite
If you can explainyour technical
details and particular breed of
Scienceand make it sound easy
you are winningDon’t get caught up in the
ivory tower- you’ll starve

35. The Public at large
(and remember: the mainstream is
starting to love science)
The Middle Ground/The Dilettantes
(possible funders & backing entities)
Interdisciplinary Professionals
(your collaborators)
The Professional in your Field
(your colleagues)
Your Posters & Presentations
should reflect tiers of
dissemination:

37. 37