Poster CompositionPoster Composition(Aesthetics, techniques and layout)(Aesthetics, techniques and layout)

• Combining text and images• Introducing colour• Overall composition

K. Davis, School of Ocean and Earth Science, NOCSSOES2007

Three Most Important PointsThree Most Important Points

Simplicity

Structure

Flow

Combining text and imagesCombining text and images

• Area constraints• Check if space is portrait or landscape

• Aim of the poster• Backdrop for a talk• Permanent display• Simplified version of scientific paper

• Structure of poster• Non confusing

Combining text and imagesCombining text and images

• Use a balanced approach• 30% text : 70% images• Varies with objective

• Font point sizes and combinations• Headings 100pt; Sub-headings 40pt; Text 18pt

• References 12-14pt• Keep to one font e.g. Helvetica/Arial• choose one that is easy to read• avoid excessive bold, italics, underline

Combining text and imagesCombining text and images

• Heading and sub headings• Keep main heading short / use total width

• Sub-heads help to emphasise text blocks• Clear labelling of all images / figures• Provide links with text (by colour, lines and location)

• Acknowledge/cite sources (if not yours)• Include logos (if appropriate)

• For joint projects with others• To acknowledge sponsors

Combining text and imagesCombining text and images

• Imported elements• text• photos (from digital camera or scanned)

• maps• line drawings e.g. schematic figures

• tables• graphs / plots• images from web

• There are 2 basic types of files:– vector graphics:

• e.g. postscript, windows metafile, HPGL• infinite resolution, scales up smoothly• produced by GMT, MATLAB, Illustrator, Corel Draw, Freehand, AutoCAD• smaller files, smaller memory demands

– bit-mapped graphics:

• e.g. gif, tiff, bmp, Jpeg (or any compression file)• fixed resolution, grainy on magnification• photos, web images, paint programs• large memory requirements if big

Combining text and imagesCombining text and images

AVector vs Bitmap ?Vector graphic Bit mapped

Scanned photos need to beat least 300dpi for scaling upto A4 or larger

The larger themagnificationthe more jagged the edges become

Combining text and imagesCombining text and images

Introducing ColourIntroducing Colour

• Importance of colour• Provides impact, draws immediate attention

• Highlighting key elements• Linking items, e.g. images, plots or text

• Colour within text• Draws attention to an important section

• Colour in plots• Use larger fonts/larger data points/thicker lines

• Scale up as much as possible

• Avoid clashes and over-use of colour• Can become confusing & too fussy• Attention span reduces• Detracts from subject

Introducing ColourIntroducing Colour

Overall CompositionOverall Composition

• Continuity of text • Obvious flow from 1 section to next• Consider length of lines for readability

• Form should follow function

• Equal distances between elements• Total layout becomes tidier & easier to look at

• Consider balance and symmetry

• Uncluttered simplistic approachUncluttered simplistic approach–Applies to any presentationApplies to any presentation

• Providing sufficient impact / Final reviewProviding sufficient impact / Final review– Solicit comments from colleaguesSolicit comments from colleagues– 1 Metre test1 Metre test– Test print at a small size to check ink colours matchTest print at a small size to check ink colours match

screen phosphors before you ‘go to press’screen phosphors before you ‘go to press’

Overall CompositionOverall Composition

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SOES 2007 - Poster Session slides

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