Semester Project Poster Guidelines
1.Posters are to be created in PowerPoint using the guidelines set forth by the URMCCopyCenter and Graphics "Cheat Sheets" ( -- select "Poster Creation using PowerPoint".Posters prepared in Powerpoint (remember, prepare 1/2 the size that you want the final poster to be--for example, if you want a 24" by 36" poster--create it 12" by 18"). They should be saved as a pdf file. The preferred software is "Cute pdf " ( This is a free download. It seems to work better than Adobe. Check with your instructor to see if a smaller poster size is allowable (typically 38" length and 29" wide). Also, check with the MediaCenter in the Wilmot Library to see if they have a cheat sheet or template.
2.The best posters are SIMPLE, LEGIBLE, and CONCISE. Posters should be designed to capture the attention of the viewer. The viewer should be able to scan the material rapidly (unencumbered by detail) in order to facilitate a questioning/answering dialogue between viewer and presenter. Be sure to lay the material out neatly so that it leads the viewer clearly through your research story.
3.Present just enough information to tell your story without overwhelming the viewer with excessive detail. Present a few main points and leave the details for discussion.
4.Lettering should be easily readable at a distance of 3-4 feet. All text lettering should be in Arial or Times New Roman font with the following sizes:
Title: 72 point
Author/affiliation: 54 and 44 point
Headings: 36 point
Text and Tables: 20-32 point(usually 24)
Use upper and lower case for all text, except major headings and the title.
5.Judicious use of color can enhance a poster, but be careful not to overdo it.
6.Carefully layout the poster --- avoid lining up items like soldiers on a drill field; lead the viewer through the poster with arrows, ribbon, or numbers so that no one gets lost. Try asking a colleague or mentor for feedback.
7.Be sure that your poster follows the normal format for “reading”. That is, the poster should be organized so that the viewer progresses from left to right and from top to bottom (much like reading a page from your textbook).
8.Poster items to include:
(a)Title
(b)Author/Affiliation
(c)Abstract
(d)Background/Introduction (1 paragraph including succinct 1-2 sentence statement of the project)
(e)Experimental techniques (essentials only -- use bullets and employ schemes, sketches, figures, and even photographs to convey ideas)
(f)Results (charts, graphs, tables, spectra, etc. -- be sure to label peaks on spectra)
(g)Discussion (summary, bullet-like statements rather than sentences)
(h)Conclusions (bullet-like statements rather than sentences -- be sure it's short, pithy, and attractive to the eye)
(i) Future directions (optional)
(j) Acknowledgements (optional)
(k) References
9. Each section should be read in less than one minute and the information should be easily gleaned by the reader.
10. Print posters in through Wilmot Library Media Services in color (to do this, you must have it submitted well in advance of the poster session – e.g. 5-7 days).
11. Be sure to check that any graphics used are easy to read. If not, then you may have to consider the format of the graphic (e.g. jpeg vs. gif vs. tiff).