Research Posters and Poster Sessions: The Poster: Top to Bottom

This template is for a standard, 4' by 3', research poster designed for minimal text use.

This template is for a standard, 4' by 3', research poster presenting a layout designed around a focal image.

This template uses a dramatic center column to highlight key concepts. It is standard size, 4' long by 3' high.

This template is for a standard, 4' by 3', research poster which follows the design principle of "rule of thirds."

This template is for a standard research poster, 4' long by 3' high.

This template is for a square poster, 3' by 3'.

Open up one of the templates and follow along referring to the template from top to bottom. Before you actually start creating the poster collect all the images, logos, etc. you will possibly need and write up the text for the different sections of the poster (described below). Doing this first simplifies the procedure. Once all the elements are added to the poster, then you can rearrange to enhance the total image. Then you will then be able to select colors that will further enrich the overall look of the poster (described further in Graphic Design Tips and Tricks).

Guidelines, Gridlines and Rulers: These were added to each of the templates and how to add them is outlined in The Poster Workbook using MS Powerpoint 2010. The poster is large and the computer image is small in comparison. These tools assist in guiding you around the poster as you add elements and zoom in or out. The guidelines are shapes inserted from the Ribbon, which you can choose to keep or delete depending on the overall design of the poster.

Logos: The University has official logos as do most departments. If your department has a logo it is usually combined with the University’s logo and therefore you will not need to add a separate University logo. To obtain a departmental logo ask the professor you are working with or the Administrative Assistant to the department head.

Title: The title should convey the subject of the project and draw people to your poster. The minimum font for the title is 72pt, but make the font as large as you can (shorten the title).

Authors: If you are the only author give your complete name. If there are many authors using initials is ok to save space. Let the audience know who is presenting by underlining the name(s). The font size should be smaller - ½ to 2/3 the size of the font used for the title.

Affiliations: List the department or program in which you conducted the project, followed by the University of Utah. If there are multiple authors and departments, list each department/program once. If there are multiple authors for each department/program, then use superscripts to indicate affiliation.  List the University of Utah on a separate line or if space is tight, then leave it out. The logo will indicate the University.

Creative Commons: Your poster is your work, protect it.  To let people know that the work is yours, apply for Creative Commons.  It only takes a few minutes.  With a Creative Commons license, you keep your copyright, but allow people to copy and distribute your work provided they give you credit — and only on the conditions you specify. For additional information on copyrights and Creative Commons contact the Scholarly Communications and Copyright Librarian, Allyson Mower .