Poster Design Tips
Layout:
Your layout will help guide users through the poster. Your poster should be a good balance of text, images, and white space. Poster layouts work better when there is symmetry.
- Use visual hierarchy to guide readers to the important parts of your poster.
- Use a column format to make your poster easier to read in a crowd.
- Use organization cues (arrows etc). to guide readers through your poster.
- Use "reader gravity" which pulls the eye from top to bottom and left to right.
- Use headings intelligently to help readers find your main points and key information.
- Balance the placement of text and graphics to create visual appeal.
- Use white space creatively to help define the flow of information.
Tips for Readable Posters:
- Use dark text on a light background
- Avoid garish colors and complicated backgrounds
- Use one font and style for the whole poster
- Leave space between columns
- Try to use bullet points and pictures instead of text
- Label figures clearly
Text:
- Keep the lettering simple.
Font Size:
A good rule to follow on font size:
- Title-72 pt
- Section heading - 48 pt
- Figure heading -30 pt
- General text -28 pt
- Text for labels- 20 pt
Useful Rules:
- Present data from top to bottom, left to right
- Maintain empty space between rows
- Poster should be ~40% graphics, 20% text, and 40% empty space
- It may take 1-2 weeks to put together an outstanding poster