Creating Scientific Postersand PowerPoint Slides

Ed NagelhoutProfessor of Rhetoric and Writing

Kinesiology

Rhetorical Triangle

Basic Visual Design

Understanding basic visual design helps to present "clean" documents and communicate more effectively.

Four Basic Principles:1. Contrast2. Repetition3. Alignment4. Proximity

Contrast

AND, effective use of white space is the best contrast of all!

Use the principle of contrast to create strong dynamic differences among elements that are different.

If it is different, make it very different.

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Repetition

Use the principle of repetition to repeat selected elements throughout your poster.

This can help give your poster unity and organization.

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Repetition

Repetition

Alignment

Use the principle of alignment to connect elements visually (through invisible lines) on your poster.

Grids are very useful for achieving good alignment.

This will give your poster a clean, well-organized look.

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Proximity

Use the principle of proximity to ensure that related items are grouped together.

People will tend to interpret items together or near to each other as belonging to the same group.

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Basic Reading Patterns

Simple Quadrant Test

Vertical Lines Test

Scientific Poster Tips

Keep it Simple!• Make ONE clear, major point• Follow basic visual design

principles• Place important information,

like conclusions, in visually effective places

• Make your findings obvious on multiple levels

Scientific Poster Tips

Colors and Fonts• Limit colors to 2 or 3• Limit fonts to 2 (Headers and Text)• Maximize Contrast of fonts/colors/background • Use highlighting selectively• Making reading (and seeing) easy • BIGGER IS BETTER!

Scientific Poster Tips

Text Thinking• Text should not be TEXT

• Always left justify• Include Methods &

Include Findings, but simplify descriptions

• Short text lines are easier to read

• Make use of headings, highlighted key words, and bullet points

Scientific Poster Tips

Pictures and Photos• Pictures can add detail• Pictures can help tell

the story• Pictures can provide

clarification• Pictures should not

stand alone• Pictures can be sized

and adjusted

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Figures and Graphs• Keep figures and

graphs simple• Avoid “chart junk”• Create titles with a

message• Make clear

connections to findings and other elements in the poster

Scientific Poster Tips

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Reading Posters

which they the will view the poster.

Different distances require different sized text. Your primary message should be clear at a range of distances.

Effective scientific poster design must consider not only the ways that viewers “read” the poster, but also the range of distances from

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Poster Reading Patterns

Effective poster design must not only account for key visual components, but also the ways that key terms and phrases catch the reader’s attention, especially at a distance.

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For More Information:

Designing Conference Posters:  http://colinpurrington.com/tips/academic/posterdesign

Scientific Posters Tutorials:http://www.makesigns.com/tutorials/

Top Ten Slide Tips - Garr Reynoldshttp://www.garrreynolds.com/preso-tips/design/

Questions?ed.nagelhout@unlv.edu

Kinesiology