TIPS FOR MAKING A GREAT POSTER

 

A GREAT POSTER IS...

Readable

Readability is how easy it is to understand your message.  

Studies show that you have only 11 seconds to grab and keep your audience's attention

Make sure your words are brief (use few words), bold and spelled correctly.  

You should be able to read all text from 6-10 feet away

Space - don't crowd your poster with too many words and images

 

 

LET'S BEGIN!

 

STEP 1 - DECIDE ON THE MAIN MESSAGE

Keep it short and sweet and make this your title

ELIMINATE all extra information (no paragraphs)

What images can explain your idea?

 

STEP 2 - POSTER LAYOUT 

Consider how to arrange images and text within your space

Use a ruler to get straight lines, draw guildlines when needed

Space is important in a poster: without it, your reader has no visual pauses to think. Posters that are crammed with information are tiring to read  

Don't use too many fonts.  Keep your main idea the largest font and make it bold.  Use a different size for the other information

 

It takes time to make a great poster. Regardless of format, allow 2 to 3 days to assemble all the bits and pieces, such as photos etc, and then 1.5 to 2 days to assemble the poster. That last bit of data you rush around to get at the last moment will go completely unnoticed if your poster is messy and disorganized i.e. illegible and unreadable.

 

STEP 3 - DESIGN AND ADD COLOR

A color border or background is a fast way to add color to a poster.

Choose the best supplies for the job.  Use colored pencils or fine tip markers for details.  Use crayons, colored paper, paint and large markers for larger areas.

Use contrasts (opposites) together.  Examples - dark vs light, complementary colors (red and green, blue and orange, yellow and purple), wavy vs. straight line designs, patterns vs. solids, thick vs. thin lines

 

STEP 4 - CHECK IT!

Have a friend or family member check your poster.  Ask them what your message is and if there is anything they do not understand.  

 

STEP 5 - FINISH YOUR POSTER

Be sure to give yourself enough time to finish the poster and to make all of the details as neat as possible.