Need to create a poster for a class assignment? Presenting at a poster session? Follow this presentation to learn how!

1. STCC Library Tech Talk
Creating an Effective Poster
Anna Bognolo, STCC Library
22 March 2016

2. Why a Poster?
● Posters are a visual communication tool that offer quality information in a
different medium from the oral presentation or written paper
● Posters offer a “snapshot” of your work and serve as
○ A source of information
○ A conversation starter
○ A summary of your work
○ An advertisement of your work

3. Where do you use a Poster?
● Conferences of all sizes (often called “Poster Sessions”)
● Your school/College (secondary schools to Higher Ed), where often creating a
poster is a required component of a research assignment

4. What do Posters look like?

5. An “effective” Poster will?
● Engage colleagues/professionals/classmates in conversation about your work
● Encourage the viewer to want to learn more about your project
● Get feedback (and ideas) on your research from those who stop to speak with
you

6. Elements of an “effective” Poster?
● A catchy title
● Visually appealing--
○ Good and balanced use of graphics/images, text and color
○ Uses headings to help viewers find what they are looking for: objectives, results, conclusions
● Informative -- expresses succinctly what it is that you are doing/done
● A prepared 3-5 minute “elevator speech”
○ Be ready to talk about/explain your research/project. Don’t read your poster!
● A summary handout
○ Provides a written record that will help your visitors remember you and your project. Include
your contact information on it! It can be bullet points or a copy of the poster
● Your contact information

7. A Poster should not have...
● Lots of text -- it is NOT your research paper stuck to a board!
● Clutter
● Too many bright colors or patterns

8. How to create a Poster
There are two methods for creating a
poster:
1. Print out text and graphics and glue
to a trifold

9. How to create a Poster
2. Use presentation software or online poster
templates to help you create a poster
● Presentation software include
○ Google Slides (available through your email in
Google Drive)
○ Microsoft Word document
○ Microsoft PowerPoint document
● Use a web-based print service, or take
your poster file on a USB to your local
copy center (Staples, Kinko) for printing

10. Step-by-step Creating a Poster in Google Drive
1. Log in to your gmail account and go to Drive
2. Select “New” then select “Slides”
3. Title the new document

11. Step-by-step Creating a Poster in Google Drive
4. Resize the document for a poster:
a. Go to “File” and select “Page Setup
b. In the dropdown box select “Custom” and
type in the size of the poster you want
(Standard sizes include 11 x 17 inches or
24 x 36 inches. For a poster with short-
side down (portrait) you would type 24 x
36 inches, for a poster wide-side down
(landscape) you would type 36 x 24
inches)

12. Step-by-step Creating a Poster in Google Drive
5. Now is time to be creative! Use the toolbar for layout and decorative elements
6. Remember to include:
● Title
● Logo (if you have one)
● Labelled sections (if necessary)
● Your contact information
● Lots of images/graphics and FEWER words!
7. Make sure that your
● Font is legible from a distance
● The document isn’t cluttered

13. Step-by-step Creating a Poster in Google Drive
8. When you have finished creating your document, you may
● Share it via email
● Download it into a Microsoft compatible format (PowerPoint) or PDF and then
load onto a USB or email to printing company
● You can also print a smaller version to be handed out at the poster session

14. At the Poster Session
● You are expected to stand by your poster for the duration of the session
○ Make sure to eat and drink (or have food nearby) and use the bathroom before the poster
session starts!
● Talk to people! You may have to grab their attention, so bring “swag” such as
candy or chocolates! This makes people stop and come close to you so that
you can then start a conversation!
● Have your elevator speech and handouts ready to share!
● Enjoy yourself!