1. Poster Presentations Judith A. Vessey, PhD, MBA, FAAN

2. Objective • To provide you with a basic understanding of: • What a poster is • How to determine the content for the poster • How to design a PowerPoint poster • How to construct components for a free-standing poster

3. What is a Poster? • A visual presentation of research or a project that address one central question • May be the whole or part of the project • Communicates main concepts • Leads participants to enter into a dialogue with you • A good poster marries content and design • Try to show, not tell,what was done • Should provide an explicit take-home message

4. When Do You Make A Poster? • Research or Clinical Conference presentations • Posters that are ‘refereed’: an abstract has been submitted, reviewed by experts, and accepted for presentation • Other displays (e.g., career fairs)

5. Building Your Poster Start with the abstract Determine the timeline Select key content Design the basic layout Assemble the pieces Construct the poster

6. A Real World Example

7. CSI Example:The Abstract

8. Abstract

9. Determine the Timeline • Estimate the amount of time and then double it (and add a few hours) • Consult with the organization’s media specialist • One week planning is the absolute minimum (if constructing it yourself)

10. Determine Key Content • One essential concept to be conveyed Should follow what is on the abstract! • Collect key information for each section • Construct separate files • Text files • Photos and illustration files • Make sure you have necessary releases • Files of tables and figures • Make sure the necessary data are analyzed • Create tables, figures, graphs • File format • ppt files preferable • With PDFs or other files, will need to use Snip-It or similar editing tool to create picture files

11. CSI Example: Setting Up Files • PowerPoint slides for each of the major abstract sections • Picture file • All photographs you want to use—edit ahead of time • High resolution is important • Other files not needed for this poster but could include: • Picture files of pdfs, ppt tables or figures

12. CSI Example: Files • Create a ppt slides for each of the major abstract sections—keep in a separate file

13. CSI Example: Files • PowerPoint slides for each of the major abstract sections • Picture file • All photographs you want to use—edit ahead of time • High resolution is important • Other files not needed for this poster but could include: • Picture files of pdfs, ppt tables or figures

14. Editing a Picture

15. CSI Example: Files • PowerPoint slides for each of the major abstract sections • Picture file • All photographs you want to use—edit ahead of time • High resolution is important • Other files not needed for this poster but could include: • Picture files of pdfs or ppts or tables or figures

16. Example: How to Change a ppt Table to a Picture file High, Low, and Median Cast Change Charges by Year 2003-2009* *Includes Facility Fees and Professional Fees for ER, Anesthesia, Radiology, and Orthopedics

17. Sketch It Out! • Can use 4” x 6” cards for key content areas (or cut up PPT handouts/2 to a page) • Arrange the elements of the poster into position • The title goes across the top • Brief introductions appears in upper left • Conclusions and Implications appear in lower right • Methods and Results/Evaluation fit in remaining space

18. CSI Example: Start with the Template for this Poster

19. Title Banner: Overview • Should be readable from 15-20 feet away • Includes: • Title • Institutional logos • Authors • Can include first names to facilitate conversation • Institutional affiliations of authors • Add city, state, and country names if appropriate • Title may be centered or left-justified

20. Title Banner: Sizes • Title: 1½ - 2” high, 96 points • (or 48 points enlarged by 200% when printed) • Author names: 1-1½” high, 72 points • Affiliations: ½-3/4” high, 36-48 points • Add city, state, and country names if appropriate

21. Title Banner: Fonts • Use a simple, easy to read font • San serif style works best • Examples: Arial, Helvetica, Arial • Fonts can also help tell the story: Comic Sans • For Title banner: • Use boldface and ALL-CAPS for the title itself • Use boldface and mixed case for authors’ name • Use plain text, and mixed case for affiliations

22. CSI Example: Add Title and Logos

23. Body of Poster: Overview • Present information in a sequence which is easy to follow • Determine Section Headings—follow abstract • Use photos, figures, and tables to tell the study’s story • Present enough content so that a verbal explanation is not necessary to link together the various components

24. Body of Poster: DetermineSequencing • Research Posters • Specific Aims • Background • Hypotheses • Methods • Sample & settings • Instruments • Procedure • Results • Implications Clinical Posters • Clinical question • Procedure • Evaluation • Clinical efficacy • Quality indicators • Cost-effectiveness • Implementation • Implications

25. CSI Example: Headings

26. Body of Poster: Text • Readable from 6 feet away • Double-space, left-justification • Section headings: boldface, 36 point • Supporting text: 24 point • Narrative details: 18 point

27. Body of Poster: Inserting Text • Go to your ppt slide file of text • Make sure that it exactly what you want to say • Use the font and font size you want • Cut and paste into the poster template • Use grid lines • Can also add other subheadings, etc. to the poster directly on the template • Use either the textbox or WordArt function • Can do this at any time

28. CSI Example: Inserting Textcopy text from ppt slides in separate file, paste in poster template

29. Illustrations • Graphics should be self-explanatory • Tables and figures should have explanatory captions • Photos should be self-explanatory • Text needs to support graphic elements • Layout: • 20% text, 40% graphics, 40% empty space • Delete all redundant references & filler phrases • Remove material extraneous to the poster’s core theme • Do not include the abstract

30. CSI Example: Pictures • HINTS • Format --Choose an edge that doesn’t detract from the picture (see examples) • Insert into template • Insert captions in text boxes • Watch alignment • To help with sizing • Enlarge template area • Overlay one picture on the other and match size

31. Editing • Text needs to support graphic elements • Layout: • 20% test, 40% graphics, 40% empty space • Delete all redundant references & filler phrases • Remove material extraneous to the poster’s core theme • Use blank space between poster elements to differentiate and accentuate them • Do not include the abstract

32. Final Result

33. Use of Color • Use color to unify your poster • Muted colors or shades of gray are best or the background • Use more intense colors for borders, content to be emphasized • Choose two or three colors that complement the background for headings, etc. • Avoid overuse of color

34. Use of Color • Use color to unify your poster • Muted colors or shades of gray are best or the background • Use more intense colors for borders, content to be emphasized • Choose two or three colors that complement the background for headings, etc. • Avoid overuse of color

35. Variations on a theme…. Constructing individual pieces Importing presentation slides into a poster Constructing posters for presentations abroad

36. Constructing Individual Poster Pieces • May be done: • Due to cost • Transportation difficulties • Last-minute preparation • Develop each section of the poster • Put each section on a separate piece of paper • Use 11 x 14” paper if appropriate • Print out the text on high-quality paper • Mount text on board of contrasting color

37. Needed Construction Materials • Materials • Poster, Bristol, or mat board • High-quality printer paper • Glue, two-sided tape, or dry mount capabilities • Razor knife • Straight edge • Band aids • Access to high quality printer • Print ppt slides in landscape • Cutting surface

38. Posters for Abroad • Most venues use a • vertical format

39. Miscellaneous Thoughts • Proof-read everything—TWICE! • Give credit where credit is due • Have an acknowledgements' section

40. The Poster Presentation Transporting your poster Setting up the poster The poster session

41. Transporting/Setting Up the Poster • Transporting your poster • Remember that your poster now counts as one carry-on when flying • Take materials to mount the poster • Double-sided Velcro • Push pins • Small hammer (or a sturdy shoe)

42. The Poster Session • Be able to discuss the content of the poster • Don’t wander away from the poster, be available • Don’t spend the time visiting with friends • Remember, this is your professional “calling card”

43. Living on the Edge • If your poster gets delayed, lost, or destroyed: • Remember, Kinkos is your friend • Ask the concierge for local business centers • Be able to access key content • Take key content and/or poster PDF with you on a flash drive &/or email it to yourself • Leave key content on a server you can access remotely • Leave key content on a disk with someone at home you can contact