| When people approach a poster for information, they | | | | concepts, you should probably have multiple posters so |
| do not want to spend all afternoon reading it, or trying | | | | you do not confuse people. |
| out how to read it. You need to design a poster that is | | | | Next you should determine the size of poster you |
| easy to read and understand, and easy to navigate. | | | | need. This will depend on how much info you need to |
| People should intuitively know which way to go next to | | | | present, based on the first step. Then you should |
| read about the next topic. | | | | sketch out how you imagine the text and graphics will |
| You will want to use custom poster printing in most | | | | lay out on the poster. Make sure the photos or tables |
| cases for an effective sales presentation or a | | | | are drawn in scale with one another and with the text. |
| successful trade show appearance. If you let the | | | | Then you need to gather your supplies - send photo |
| poster printing shop design your poster for you, you | | | | files to the printer, send text files to the printer - and |
| may end up with something that looks an awful lot like | | | | whatever else the printer may need. If you are |
| your competitor's poster. | | | | assembling the poster yourself, make sure you have |
| Here are some general tips to keep in mind when | | | | glue sticks, scissors and a ruler to make sure things |
| creating your poster:o Keep the title brief and | | | | are spaced evenly. |
| explanatory.o Provide an intro or abstract so people | | | | Give yourself a week minimum to design and create a |
| know what they are looking at and what information | | | | poster. Give yourself a few more days after that to |
| to pay attention to or look for.o Plan a story if | | | | practice your poster presentation. Make sure your |
| appropriate - stories are the best way for people to | | | | presentation covers all the key points in the poster and |
| recall facts. Make sure your story has context - what, | | | | expands on what the poster states - do not just read |
| why and how; results and analysis; and the importance | | | | the poster to your audience. |
| of the results. What happened or what's going to | | | | A note about color |
| happen in the future because of this story?o Use | | | | Make sure the colors you use complement each other. |
| concise language and bullet points.o Use | | | | Gray and other muted colors are best for the |
| easy-to-understand graphs and tables with clear | | | | background and brighter colors work well for borders |
| labels.o Include an image of a finished product or end | | | | or emphasis. Just do not go overboard with the colors |
| result that will impress viewers.o Make the flow intuitive | | | | - stick to two or three colors (not counting your photos, |
| - people should be able to tell which way to look next | | | | of course). |
| very easily. | | | | One last thing |
| Basic steps to creating a powerful poster | | | | And the last thing you should do before sending |
| Before you even pick up your poster board, you need | | | | anything to the printer, and when you get your poster |
| to decide what one concept you want the poster to | | | | back from the printer? Proofread, proofread, |
| express to the audience. Make sure all your text and | | | | proofread. Nothing looks more unprofessional than a |
| graphics point to that one concept. If you have multiple | | | | typo or spelling error in your poster. |