This document is a comprehensive guide on designing effective conference posters, emphasizing the importance of creative presentation in public speaking. It outlines key elements such as content clarity, layout, typography, and the use of illustrative materials while providing practical tips and resources for poster design. Additionally, it highlights various themes relevant to library services and encourages collaboration and inclusiveness in the design process.

1. Posters that get noticed…
...a how to guide

2. Why design a
poster for a
conference?

3. Hands up
who
ENJOYS
public
speaking?
https://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/public-speaking-tips-from-the-ceo-of-deloitte/

4. Still not convinced?
• Public speaking nervousness – allows you to engage on
a one-to-one basis
• Allows you to personally interact with people who are
interested in your topic
• Visible and accessible e.g. Slideshare, Twitter
• Reach more people
• Can be viewed any time at a conference

5. Show
your
creative
side
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lisa_g_pics/362781834/in/photolist-y4mpd-a

6. Everything starts with an idea...
Project New Service Innovative
Workflow
Look at the
conference
themes for
inspiration
Emerging
Roles & Skill
Set
Collaboration

7. Poster Submissions
LAI/CILIP 2019
• Library design for all
• Inclusive digital library services
• Developing Library services and space
for all (e.g. students/users with a
disability, international students,
users from different socio-economic
and cultural backgrounds)
• Outreach activities in Libraries (e.g.
mobile libraries, working with schools
and communities)
• Research or studies exploring
inclusiveness in Libraries
• Open Access, Open Science, Open
Research and Open Data
• The role of Libraries in society
Academic and Special Libraries 2019
• Space as experienced by
users/customers/patrons – how does
space enhance or suppress emotions,
creativity, learning?
• Space for those who work in a
cultural/information environment on a
daily basis – how does space affect their
work?
• How do the ideas, concepts and thoughts
of architects, designers and planners
impact on space and its use – for better or
worse?
• How do we ascertain and incorporate the
needs of our known (and unknown) users
and employees?
• Space as a state of mind – how does the
physical and virtual environment we work
and live in enhance our wellbeing

8. Where to start?
• Browse online for inspiration
• Draft, draft and draft again
• Content, words, flow, clarity, font size and
type, spelling, layout, illustrative material,
photographs
• Follow the guidelines
• Quick impact and attract immediate interest

9. The Design Process
• Formulate and
articulate your idea
• Know your target
audience
• What do you want to
achieve with the
poster?
• Be brave!

10. What do I want to say?
• Rough draft of what you
want to say
• What is your idea?
Point? Process?
• Back to paper if you
prefer
• Sketch or brainstorm
your idea

11. Content and Words
• Your message
• First time viewers
• Be concise
• Title
• Ability to stand alone
• Use a logical pathway
• Not too much text
• Tell a story
• Author, affiliations and
contact details

12. Layout and Colour
• Try to create a ‘visual
sequence’
• No need to fill every
inch – white space is
good
• Two/three main colours
• Be consistent e.g. Use
one colour for all
headings

13. Typeface
1. This is a big one. You have to develop a
hierarchy in your design’s typography. Use a
hierarchy that makes sense. The headline should
always be the biggest, boldest text. The sub-
headline should be differentiated somehow. It
doesn’t have to be bold, but it should be larger
than the other headline sections, if you have
different body paragraphs. The body copy
should be smaller, while still being legible. Any
footnotes should be the smallest and placed at
the bottom of the page, below the text. Also
any asides should be made to stand out
differently as well. You could use a different
colour, or you could italicize the text
2. This is a big one. You have to develop a hierarchy in your design’s typography.
Use a hierarchy that makes sense. The headline should always be the biggest,

14. Typeface
• Use one typeface, max. two – will distract
otherwise
• Be consistent
• Use ample spacing between lines
• Keep in mind spacing between subject areas
• Be concise – keep sentence length short
• Use ‘special effects’ sparingly e.g. Italic, bold
• Avoid acronyms

15. Illustrative Material
• Photographs
• Charts and Graphs
• Quotes
• Icons
• Good resolution
• Logos
• Reference any images
you use

16. Feedback
• Look for an honest
opinion
• Listen to the
constructive feedback
• Try out the suggested
changes...
• ...or get a second
opinion

17. What makes a good poster?
• Interesting and well thought out content
• Flow and clarity
• Easy to read typeface and size
• Correct spelling and nice layout
• Use of illustrative material to catch the eye

18. Some Examples

20. The Impact of
Colour & Layout
Some winning
examples...

25. “Making the Modern Academic
Librarian”
Claire Sewell
Office of Scholarly
Communication
University of Cambridge

26. “Stages of the Self-Guided Library
Tours Project”
University of Derby Library

27. “Support Academic Research by
Improving Interlibrary Loan
Services”
Colleen Tierney, Queen’s
University Library

28. “User Experience (UX) in
Maynooth University Library” by
Laura Connaughton
Joint Winner of Best Poster at
CONUL Annual Conference 2016

29. “The Liam O’Leary
Archive: Ireland’s
Film on Paper” by
Joanne Carroll
Joint Winner of Best
Poster at CONUL
Annual Conference
2016

30. Picture Perfect Presentations
by Niamh O’Sullivan (IBTS)
Winner of Best Poster A & SL 2016

31. In Conclusion
• Try it out
• Promotional tool for your services
• Follow the poster guidelines
– Size
– Orientation
– Professionally printed
• Ask for opinions – accept them graciously 

33. Useful Sources
• LAI CDG Blog
https://laicdg.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/designing-an-academic-poster/
• Scientific Poster Tutorials
http://www.makesigns.com/tutorials/poster-design-layout.aspx
• Graphic Design Tips
http://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/
• Designing conference posters
http://colinpurrington.com/tips/poster-design
• Example of poor poster design
http://colinpurrington.com/2012/example-of-bad-scientific-poster/

34. Guidelines and Tips
Poster Design: Guidelines & Tips by Helen Fallon and Brian Dempsey
http://eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/4625/1/HF_poster_guidelines.pdf
LAI Career Development Blog – Designing an Academic Poster
https://laicdg.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/designing-an-academic-poster
Designing Conference Posters
http://colinpurrington.com/2012/example-of-bad-scientific-poster/

35. Free Software for Poster Design
• Piktochart – Infographic Creator
http://piktochart.com/
• Poster My Wall
http://postermywall.com
• Canva
http://canva.com
• Nerdgraph Infographics
http://www.nerdgraph.com/
• Visual.ly
http://visual.ly/
• Infogram
https://infogr.am/
MS Powerpoint

36. Free Images
• https://medium.com/@dustin/stock-photos-
that-dont-suck-62ae4bcbe01b#.5zk92cz3w
• www.pixabay.com
• Google Images
• Remember to reference all images you use!

37. Thank You
Laura.Connaughton@nuim.ie / 01 708 3429
@lozconn

38. References
• https://laicdg.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/designing-an-academic-poster/
• http://eprints.maynoothuniversity.ie/
• http://education.byu.edu/identity/academic_posters.html
• http://colinpurrington.com/2012/example-of-bad-scientific-poster/
• CONUL Conference Posters on Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/conulconference
• Connaughton, Laura and Payne, Val (2015) The Summon Discovery Tool: Its Implementation and
Impact on Usage Statistics in Maynooth University. In: CONUL Annual Conference, 3rd/ 4th June,
2015, Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. (Unpublished)
• Cullen, Christine (2015) Self-Service in UCD Library. In: CONUL Annual Conference, 3rd/ 4th June,
2015, Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. (Unpublished)

39. Reference for Images Used
• Backhanded Compliment
http://www.chicagonow.com/lipstick-lollipops/files/2014/06/backhanded-compliment.png
• Standing out from the crowd (slide 1, tulips)
http://www.beautybyyourdesign.com/uncategorized/stand-out-from-the-crowd-three-key-steps
• Lightbulb, slide 2 (Fer Gregory)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/freg/4898274127/sizes/l
• The Design Process, slide 5
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/2007/03/designers_are_t.html
• What to show picture (Austin Kelon)
https://medium.com/show-your-work/10-ways-to-share-your-creativity-and-get-discovered-7fb5fdfbc068
• Toast (Brittany Wright)
http://wrightkitchen.com/
• Good Typography, slide 8
http://www.creativebeacon.com/good-typography-essential-guide/
• Apples in order (Brittany Wright)
http://wrightkitchen.com/y2nw75k59pu5xp0rms8tuc6vjdsu90
• Good, Bad Scale
http://marketingtobridesonline.com/what-do-i-think-of-your-website-2-2/360-good-bad-scale/
• Poster Presentation PGCD WPP
http://www.glogster.com/nmp2012/wwp-academic-poster/g-6ljcd66c8dpumm1k4nkc1a0
• Professional Template
http://www.slideserve.com/nevan/professional-template-for-a-48x36-poster-presentation
Danger don’t spread disease
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/366339750921959061/
Please keep the library tidy
http://paperzip.co.uk/classroom/banners-posters/keep-the-library-tidy