Suggestions for Preparing Effective Posters
For Participants in the Poster Session
General Information
A poster presentation should be self-explanatory, allowing different viewers to proceed on their own while the author is free to supplement and discuss particular points raised in inquiry. The poster session offers a more intimate forum for information exchange than does the traditional spoken presentation, but discussion becomes difficult if the author is obliged to spend most of the time merely explaining the poster to a succession of visitors.
Poster Dimensions
The area available for each poster presentation is 6 ft wide x 4 ft high (1.83 x 1.22 m).
Numbering
Each poster has been assigned a number in the program. The boards will be grouped serially in the room to help participants locate specific presentations.
Before The Meeting
Title
Prepare a banner for the top of your poster indicating the title, authors, and affiliations. Lettering in the label should be at least 1 in. (2.54 cm) high.
Illustrations
Figures should be designed to be viewed from a distance, and should use clear, visible graphics. Although each figure should illustrate no more than one or two major points, figures need not be simple. The main points should be clear without extended viewing, but detail can be included for the knowledgeable viewer. Remember that the time spent at each poster figure is determined by the viewer, not by the presenter, as in the case of a slide presentation in a spoken session.
Each figure or table should have a heading of one or two lines in large type stating the “take-home” message. Detailed information should be provided in a legend below in smaller type. Because there is no text accompanying a poster, the figure legend should contain commentary that would normally appear in the body (Results and Discussion) of a manuscript. It should describe concisely not only the content of the figure but also the conclusions derived from it. Details of methodology should be kept brief and should be placed at the end of the legend.
Layout
Materials should be mounted on colored poster paper or board. It is helpful to group logically consistent sections of the presentation on the same background color. Muted colors provide an effective background. Use thin mounting board. Heavy board is difficult to keep positioned properly.
Arrange materials in columns rather than in rows. It is easier for viewers to scan a poster by moving systematically along it rather than by zigzagging back and forth in front of it. An introduction should be placed at the upper left and a conclusion at the lower right, both in large type. The sequence of illustrations should be indicated with numbers or letters at least 1 in. high, preferably in bold print. (Omit “Fig” or “Figure”; it is unnecessary and occupies too much space.)
You may find it convenient to have a separate section describing methods, but it is quite effective to include this information as part of the data presentation, as described above. Carefully chosen photographs of apparatus, or schematic diagrams of procedures, can convey a great deal of information about methods without much text. Most viewers will tend to skim or ignore long textual passages.
At The Meeting
General
The poster session is Friday, April 25, between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m., in the Great Hall, and will be in conjunction with a cash bar. The presenting author should be at the board during the session.
It is suggested, but not required, that the presenting author bring a one-page handout conveying the essence of the poster and a means for interested parties to contact the presenter outside the confines of the meeting. It is often difficult to visit every poster of interest, and providing a handout of the sort described is one way of maximizing the audience for the poster, and facilitating information exchange about it.
Mounting the Poster
Posters should be mounted by 5:45 p.m. and should be removed at the conclusion of the session.
Posters will be mounted with velcro adhesive dots or masking tape, which we will supply. Please do not write or paint on the poster boards. You may find it useful to have on hand a tablet of sketch paper and suitable drawing materials. Note that projection equipment and electrical outlets are not available in the poster session area.
Let us know if you have any questions about the arrangements for the poster sessions. We look forward to seeing you in La Jolla.
David Schkade, conference chair
Uri Gneezy, program co-chair
Craig McKenzie, program co-chair
Acknowledgment: We adapted these guidelines from the Psychonomic Society’s website.