Creating posters

• Who are you aiming your output at? Knowing your audience will help you to focus on what you want to say.
• Any visualisation begins with data – have a clear idea of the main point you want to get across before you start.
• Keep posters to a single idea – you’re trying to get people interested, not present all of your research.
• Any size poster should be easily legible when printed at A4 – just because it’s bigger doesn’t mean you can squish more in, remember its purpose is to be viewed from a distance.
• Keep the layout simple.
• Use strong images but limit to one or two per poster.
• Using a background colour can provide impact if you don’t have any images – a weak or fuzzy image can detract from an otherwise interesting poster.
• Keep text short and to the point.
• No centering allowed….

Infographics

Infographics are complex data visualisations in a single image. They are useful for pulling together important points, and getting lots of facts into one place. They work for high-level information, or for showing links between data or groups.

They don’t need to be legible on A4 as they are mostly for screen use, but legible on A3 is useful.

Same principles of clarity and simplicity apply.