1367 Scott Hall313-577-1484

www.med.wayne.edu/biomedcom

DESIGN SERVICES & DIGITAL IMAGING

Tips and Techniques for Creating EffectivePosters in PowerPoint™

Mary C. Simmons, MATBioMedical CommunicationsDesign Services and Digital ImagingWayne State University School of Medicine

-Message-Planning-Layout-Content-Color and Style-Peer Editing-Resources

https://www.med.wayne.edu/ume-biomed-design-and-digital-imaging/

https://projects.ncsu.edu/project/posters/

Creating Posters in Powerpoint NOTES

1

Everything needs to be on one page!

You cannot just take several different slides and make them print all on one page. If you have a slide presentation that you would like to modify and create a poster, you can copy and paste the items from each slide into one page, just follow all the same steps here. You can start from scratch or use the templates available on our web site www.med.wayne.edu/biomedcom in the support and downloads.

If you use a template skip toSTEP THREE

STEP 1:

Start with a “New Slide”Select the blank page icon fromthe task panel.

STEP 2:

Change the “Page Setup”This may differ dependant on the Powerpointversion you use.

Select the “Design” tab, then select“Slide Size” and enter the size ininches to the corresponding widthand height you need. Click “OK” andthe window will adjust to thecorrect size.

Note: There are limitations to consider:

• Powerpoint will only allow a maximum page size of 56”

Therefore if you are going to make a poster larger than 56 in length,we recommend making your poster 1/2 size:

Example: a 3’ x 6’ poster make the height 18” and the width 36” a 3’ x 8’ poster make the height 18” and the width 48”

When you bring your poster in to print, we will print it at 200% to fitthe correct size of your poster. Save your new Powerpoint file.

STEP 3:

Save your new Powerpoint file.

Creating Posters in PowerpointNOTES

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Step 4:

Inserting Text

If you have text in Microsoft Word or any other word processingdocument, open that document up. Highlight the text you want toand copy it to the clipboard.

Go into your main section of the Powerpoint window. Eliminate the outline on the left side so you have a bigger window to work on your poster.

Select the insert text box icon. Touchthe pasteboard and the text boxwill open. Paste the text from theclipboard into this.

Continue to add all your text;Abstract, Introduction, Methods,Results . . . etc., moving around andapproximately mapping where youwant them to be.

Layout your text in columns or sections. Remember to leave room forpictures and/or graphs or charts.

STEP 5:

Change the size and/or color of the text

Chose the”Home” tab. Highlight or select the text that you want to change.Select the font, and the size that you would like.

Note: Your size of font for the body of your text can change just by how much in-formation you have in your poster. The recommended height of the font as a final size should be no smaller than 24 pt. For Headings usually 36 pt or 48 pt is good. And for the Title make it as large as you can to fit in the top section of the poster. If you are using a 1/2 size template, remember to use 1/2 the size of the font too. For 24pt use 12, for 36pt use 18 . . . .etc.

Creating Posters in Powerpoint NOTES

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Step 6:

Inserting Graphs

You can create a graph using the charting software in Powerpoint.In the “task panel” select one of the styles that has a graph icon in it.Double click on the chart placeholder. You can modify all of the data.You can double click on sections of the graph and change colors andthicknesses of lines.

You can also click on the letters and change thecharacteristics of the fonts. Each item you select something andright click on it you will launch another window to give you optionsto change the look of that particular item.

Creating Posters in PowerpointNOTES

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Step 7:

Inserting Smart ART

Select the “Insert” tab, select the “SmartArt” button. Choose from oneof the icons listed that best suits your needs. “Heirarchy” createsorganizational charts. Enter in your text. Using the right click buttonon the mouse allows you to add shapes below, before, after, etc. . .

Step 8:

Inserting Tables

Select the “Insert” tab, select the “Table” button. Highlight the correct amount ofsquares to create your table. Enter the text into each cell as needed. Select the “Design” tab under “table tools” and you can adjust the look of your table.

Creating Posters in Powerpoint NOTES

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Step 9:

Adding color bars

Select the “Home” tab.Select the “Shapes”button. Draw your shapeon the window. While thebox or shape is stillselected. Choose fromthe “Shape Fill, ShapeOutline, or Shape Eectsand modiy your shape.

STEP 10:

Layering of objects

To move the box behind the text, select the item, do a “right click on the mouse” and select the “Arrange” button and move your object to the front or back de-pending on what you need.

Step 11:

Aligning items

Select your items.Select the “Arrange”tab. Select the “Align”button. Choose whichmethod you want toalign.

Have You Saved Your File Lately?

Creating Posters in Powerpoint NOTES

6

Final Touches

Some departments add logos to their posters.

On our website there is a link to find current logos for the university to use on your poster: https://www.med.wayne.edu/ume-biomed-design-and-digital-imaging/

Step 12:

Inserting Pictures and Images

DO NOT COPY AND PASTE IMAGES FROM OTHER PROGRAMS!!!! It is only taking a screen capture of that image. It is better to aim to get the best image possible for your presentation. You stand a 50/50 chance of that image NOT showing up.

Use a “Tiff” or “JPEG” file from Photoshop or any other photo/graphics program you may be using.

Use the “Insert Picture” function from the menu. Browse for that file, and place it into your slide.

Try NOT to use “HUGE” files. If you have several pictures it will make your file enor-mous. AIM for 3”x4” at 300 ppi(dpi) when you save them.

You can modify the image (somewhat) once you insert it into Powerpoint. Just right click on the image and bring up the editing menu. Play around with the setting. See what is best for your monitor. However, the printing devices that print the posters are best when you leave the file as it was originally saved. Adjusting the file for the needs of your monitor does not mean it will look right when it is printed on the machines.

Step 13:

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+

Making Successful Scientific Posters

Mary C. SimmonsManagerDesign Services & Digital ImagingBioMedical CommunicationsSchool of Medicine

+

KISSKeep It Simple Stupid

+An Effective poster is . .

nFocused on a SINGLE message

nLets graphics and images tell the story

nHas a well-ordered sequence

+Define that message

nKnow the message

nBe bold and explicit

nMake strong statements

nState your interpretations

nMESSAGE DESIGN

+Know your audience

nYour field/closely related

nProvide context

nUse plain language

nAvoid jargon

nInterpret your findings

+Providing an Abstract

nNOT ON THE POSTER/separate

nDescription of work

nDescribes the objective

nBriefly explain methods

nState results, conclusions and recommendations

+Requires planning, Art, Science, and attention to detail

+Planning

nBefore starting work on your poster, consider message, space, budget, format (single sheet or multi-panel), and deadlines.

+Suggested schedule

n0 Present poster

n-1 week Final print

n-1 week Make changes suggested by peers

n-1 week Distribute draft for peer review (round 2)

n-2 weeks Make changes suggested by peers

n-2 weeks Distribute draft for peer review (round 1)

n-3 weeks Edit your draft ruthlessly

n-3 weeks Create first draft of poster

n-4 weeks Plan out poster on scratch paper

n-4 weeks Define message and write an abstract

(if you haven't already done so)

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+Focus

nStay focused on your message and keep it simple.

nCreate a mock-up and dispense with unneeded details.

+Layout

nUse a clearly defined visual grammar to move readers through your poster.

+Content

nTitle, Authors, Affiliations

nIntroduction (outline it)

nMethods

nResults (graphs, tables)

nConclusion (discussion)

quite boring but understandable

+Headings

nUse headings to orient readers and convey major points.

Headings Video on YouTube

+ +Graphics

nSimple and appropriate graphics should dominate your poster.

nMinimal content yet effective

+Readability

nMinimize text – use images and graphs instead.

nKeep text elements to 50 words or fewer.

nUse phrases rather than full sentences.

nUse an active voice.

nAvoid jargon (depends on audience)

+Text

nText - Don’t use ALL CAPs

nAt least 24pt

nViewable from 4ft

nLeft-justify, avoid centering

nUse a “Serif” font for main body text

nUse a “San-Serif” font for main body

+Text

n“Serif” (e.g. Times)

n“San-Serif” (e.g. Helvetica or Ariel)

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

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+Style

nAlignment

nColumns

+Colors

nColors can make a poster attractive and improve readability, but be cautious.

nAvoid dark backgrounds – tiring to eyes

nStick to a theme of 2 - 3 colors

+Editing

nEdit ruthlessly to reduce the amount of text and focus on a results-oriented message.

nHave peers review to help you.

+What about those Images

nDon’t use WEB graphics (poor resolution)

nJPEGs or TIFFs ?

n“Insert > Picture > From File”

+Demonstration +Demonstration

+Demonstration +Templates, Logos, How-to Guides

https://www.med.wayne.edu/ume-biomed-design-and-digital-imaging/

Under “Templates and FAQs” section

+ Resource: Creating Effective Poster Presentations

nhttp://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters

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+

I am never afraid of what I know.

Anna Sewell (1820 - 1878)

was an English novelist, best known as the author of the classic novel Black Beauty

+BioMedical Communications

n1367 Scott Hall

n540 E. Canfield

n313-577-1482

nquestions: medcom@med.wayne.edu

nSubmit order: https://www.med.wayne.edu/ume-biomed-design-and-digital-imaging/