Tips on How to Design a Good Research Poster

by Georgiana Ifrim –

TO DO

Read the specific requirements for the event (e.g., font size, paper size, etc).
Add your name, affiliation (top) and acknowledgement of funder (grant number, bottom).
Create a navigation structure so it is clear in which order to read the poster.
More visuals, less text. If you need extra info or results, provide a link or QR code.
Print the poster in A4 format before printing in larger format, ask supervisor and colleagues to proofread, check out other example posters printed in a similar size.
Participate in local and international poster events, practice makes perfect.
Find out early about printing facilities, cost and timelines, so you are not surprised close to your deadline.
Practise your poster pitch. Are you able to explain in max 3mins what the work is about? Check out https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/heilmeier-catechism
Check if your funder, school or research centre requires certain branded templates to be used for posters (email centre admin or ask supervisor).

NOT TO DO

Do not fill the poster with text or poor quality images.
Do not print or submit without asking for feedback – more pairs of eyes are better.
Do not forget to include contact details, so readers can follow up on your work.
Do not just paste your paper (or most of it) into a poster format!
Do not try to impress with complex equations and lots of technical terms, try to simplify (as much as feasible), tell a story and provide good visual examples.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Think carefully about what the objectives of your poster are. A good poster typically does three things:

Attract poster session attendees to come over and talk to you about your work.
Provide props (images, charts, tables, …) that will be useful while you are telling people about your work.
Provide details about where people can find you and your paper.

Some other useful links: