How to Make a Poster

How to make a poster

If you are an undergraduate researcher, chances are that you will be communicating your hard work in the form of a research poster. Research posters are designed to summarize information or research, while being concise and attractive to the public. They are essentially an “illustrated abstract.” The ultimate goal of a research poster is to publicize your work and to generate discussion among other scientists and professionals that are interested in your work.

What Makes a Good Poster?

  • Title is concise and draws interest from the audience. The title should communicate the take-home message for the reader.
  • The information provided is comprehensive and well-organized, making it easy for the viewer to understand the research.
  • Text is clear and big enough to read from a distance.
  • Use bullet points and numbering to make content easy to understand.
  • Theme should be consistent and pleasing to look at.
  • Include resources, acknowledgments, institutional affiliations, and the name of all project members.

PowerPoint Guideline and Templates

Templates

The templates above are designed for Ecampus students, but you can use them too! 

Steps to gain access to edit:

  1. Open PowerPoint Presentation
  2. Go to "View:
  3. Click on "Slide Master"

Things to remember when creating your posters

  • 48 (width) x 36 (height) ONLY
  • OSU Colors and Fonts ONLY (see branding guide links above)
  • Do not laminate
  • Do not use cardboard (posters must be able to be pinned)
  • Posters need to be printed in Landscape

What Does a Poster Typically Include?

Title, Authors, and Affiliations

Abstract

  • Abstracts vary in length but are usually under 300 words and provide a brief description about what your research.
  • Some posters have abstracts. Others do not.

Follow the link below to learn more about putting together your abstract

How to Write an Abstract

Background and Rationale

  • What are the implications of this research in its field/other fields?
  • Why was the study conducted?
  • What are the aims of the study?

Methodology

  • Briefly describe the approach used to answer your question.
  • Do not fill this section with miscellaneous details. Give an
    overview of what was done.
  • If possible, use a schematic to give a visual representation of
    your methods instead of words.
  • Be sure to cite any publication that you adopted
    methodologies from.

Results

  • Present, but do not explain, the outcome of your approach.
  • Graphs and figures must be accompanied by a figure legend
    so that they understandable standing alone.
  • Figures must be large enough to be viewed from a distance.

Discussion, Conclusions, and Future Directions

  • Provide an interpretation and/or analysis of the results.
  • What do they mean?
  • How does this help or not help your research?
  • What future inquiries could be made from these conclusions?
Acknowledgements
  • List people and/or organizations that funded the research.
  • Acknowledge collaborators that provided ideas to the study.
  • Include resources.

Poster Examples

 

 

Poster and Elevator Pitch Workshop 

Our Poster and Elevator Pitch Workshop is your guide to excel at the annual Spring Poster Symposium. Join us and gain expertise in crafting impactful research posters, navigating the printing process, and honing your elevator pitch. 

Unable to attend our in-person or virtual workshops? Watch the Poster and Elevator Workshop Here!