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How to Design a Winning Poster Presentation: Quick Guide with Examples & Templates

How are research posters like High School science fair projects? Quite similar, in fact.

Both are visual representations of a research project shared with peers, colleagues and academic faculty. But there’s a big difference: it’s all in professionalism and attention to detail. You can be sure that the students that thrived in science fairs are now creating fantastic research posters, but what is that extra element most people miss when designing a poster presentation?

This guide will teach tips and tricks for creating poster presentations for conferences, symposia, and more. Learn in-depth poster structure and design techniques to help create academic posters that have a lasting impact.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

• What is a Research Poster?

Why are Poster Presentations important?

Overall dimensions and orientation, separation into columns and sections, scientific, academic, or something else, a handout with supplemental and contact information, cohesiveness, design and readability, storytelling.

• Font Characteristics
• Color Pairing
• Data Visualization Dimensions
• Alignment, Margins, and White Space

Scientific/Academic Conference Poster Presentation

Digital research poster presentations, slidemodel poster presentation templates, how to make a research poster presentation step-by-step, considerations for printing poster presentations, how to present a research poster presentation, final words, what is a research poster .

Research posters are visual overviews of the most relevant information extracted from a research paper or analysis.   They are essential communication formats for sharing findings with peers and interested people in the field. Research posters can also effectively present material for other areas besides the sciences and STEM—for example, business and law.

You’ll be creating research posters regularly as an academic researcher, scientist, or grad student. You’ll have to present them at numerous functions and events. For example:

• Conference presentations
• Informational events
• Community centers

The research poster presentation is a comprehensive way to share data, information, and research results. Before the pandemic, the majority of research events were in person. During lockdown and beyond, virtual conferences and summits became the norm. Many researchers now create poster presentations that work in printed and digital formats.

Let’s look at why it’s crucial to spend time creating poster presentations for your research projects, research, analysis, and study papers.

Research posters represent you and your sponsor’s research 

Research papers and accompanying poster presentations are potent tools for representation and communication in your field of study. Well-performing poster presentations help scientists, researchers, and analysts grow their careers through grants and sponsorships.

When presenting a poster presentation for a sponsored research project, you’re representing the company that sponsored you. Your professionalism, demeanor, and capacity for creating impactful poster presentations call attention to other interested sponsors, spreading your impact in the field.

Research posters demonstrate expertise and growth

Presenting research posters at conferences, summits, and graduate grading events shows your expertise and knowledge in your field of study. The way your poster presentation looks and delivers, plus your performance while presenting the work, is judged by your viewers regardless of whether it’s an officially judged panel.

Recurring visitors to research conferences and symposia will see you and your poster presentations evolve. Improve your impact by creating a great poster presentation every time by paying attention to detail in the poster design and in your oral presentation. Practice your public speaking skills alongside the design techniques for even more impact.

Poster presentations create and maintain collaborations

Every time you participate in a research poster conference, you create meaningful connections with people in your field, industry or community. Not only do research posters showcase information about current data in different areas, but they also bring people together with similar interests. Countless collaboration projects between different research teams started after discussing poster details during coffee breaks.

An effective research poster template deepens your peer’s understanding of a topic by highlighting research, data, and conclusions. This information can help other researchers and analysts with their work. As a research poster presenter, you’re given the opportunity for both teaching and learning while sharing ideas with peers and colleagues.

Anatomy of a Winning Poster Presentation

Do you want your research poster to perform well?  Following the standard layout and adding a few personal touches will help attendees know how to read your poster and get the most out of your information. 

The overall size of your research poster ultimately depends on the dimensions of the provided space at the conference or research poster gallery. The poster orientation can be horizontal or vertical, with horizontal being the most common.  In general, research posters measure 48 x 36 inches or are an A0 paper size.

A virtual poster can be the same proportions as the printed research poster, but you have more leeway regarding the dimensions. Virtual research posters should fit on a screen with no need to scroll, with 1080p resolution as a standard these days. A horizontal presentation size is ideal for that.

A research poster presentation has a standard layout of 2–5 columns with 2–3 sections each. Typical structures say to separate the content into four sections; 1. A horizontal header 2. Introduction column, 3. Research/Work/Data column, and 4. Conclusion column. Each unit includes topics that relate to your poster’s objective.  Here’s a generalized outline for a poster presentation:

• Condensed Abstract 
• Objectives/Purpose
• Methodology
• Recommendations
• Implications
• Acknowledgments
• Contact Information 

The overview content you include in the units depends on your poster presentations’ theme, topic, industry, or field of research. A scientific or academic poster will include sections like hypothesis, methodology, and materials. A marketing analysis poster will include performance metrics and competitor analysis results.

There’s no way a poster can hold all the information included in your research paper or analysis report. The poster is an overview that invites the audience to want to find out more. That’s where supplement material comes in. Create a printed PDF handout or card with a QR code (created using a QR code generator ). Send the audience to the best online location for reading or downloading the complete paper.

What Makes a Poster Presentation Good and Effective? 

For your poster presentation to be effective and well-received, it needs to cover all the bases and be inviting to find out more. Stick to the standard layout suggestions and give it a unique look and feel. We’ve put together some of the most critical research poster-creation tips in the list below. Your poster presentation will perform as long as you check all the boxes.

The information you choose to include in the sections of your poster presentation needs to be cohesive. Train your editing eye and do a few revisions before presenting. The best way to look at it is to think of The Big Picture. Don’t get stuck on the details; your attendees won’t always know the background behind your research topic or why it’s important.

Be cohesive in how you word the titles, the length of the sections, the highlighting of the most important data, and how your oral presentation complements the printed—or virtual—poster.

The most important characteristic of your poster presentation is its readability and clarity. You need a poster presentation with a balanced design that’s easy to read at a distance of 1.5 meters or 4 feet. The font size and spacing must be clear and neat. All the content must suggest a visual flow for the viewer to follow.

That said, you don’t need to be a designer to add something special to your poster presentation. Once you have the standard—and recognized—columns and sections, add your special touch. These can be anything from colorful boxes for the section titles to an interesting but subtle background, images that catch the eye, and charts that inspire a more extended look. 

Storytelling is a presenting technique involving writing techniques to make information flow. Firstly, storytelling helps give your poster presentation a great introduction and an impactful conclusion. 

Think of storytelling as the invitation to listen or read more, as the glue that connects sections, making them flow from one to another. Storytelling is using stories in the oral presentation, for example, what your lab partner said when you discovered something interesting. If it makes your audience smile and nod, you’ve hit the mark. Storytelling is like giving a research presentation a dose of your personality, and it can help turning your data into opening stories .

Design Tips For Creating an Effective Research Poster Presentation

The section above briefly mentioned how important design is to your poster presentation’s effectiveness. We’ll look deeper into what you need to know when designing a poster presentation.

1. Font Characteristics

The typeface and size you choose are of great importance. Not only does the text need to be readable from two meters away, but it also needs to look and sit well on the poster. Stay away from calligraphic script typefaces, novelty typefaces, or typefaces with uniquely shaped letters.

Stick to the classics like a sans serif Helvetica, Lato, Open Sans, or Verdana. Avoid serif typefaces as they can be difficult to read from far away. Here are some standard text sizes to have on hand.

• Title: 85 pt
• Authors: 65 pt
• Headings: 36 pt
• Body Text: 24 pt
• Captions: 18 pt

If you feel too prone to use serif typefaces, work with a font pairing tool that helps you find a suitable solution – and intend those serif fonts for heading sections only. As a rule, never use more than 3 different typefaces in your design. To make it more dynamic, you can work with the same font using light, bold, and italic weights to put emphasis on the required areas.

2. Color Pairing

Using colors in your poster presentation design is a great way to grab the viewer’s attention. A color’s purpose is to help the viewer follow the data flow in your presentation, not distract. Don’t let the color take more importance than the information on your poster.

Choose one main color for the title and headlines and a similar color for the data visualizations. If you want to use more than one color, don’t create too much contrast between them. Try different tonalities of the same color and keep things balanced visually. Your color palette should have at most one main color and two accent colors.

Black text over a white background is standard practice for printed poster presentations, but for virtual presentations, try a very light gray instead of white and a very dark gray instead of black. Additionally, use variations of light color backgrounds and dark color text. Make sure it’s easy to read from two meters away or on a screen, depending on the context. We recommend ditching full white or full black tone usage as it hurts eyesight in the long term due to its intense contrast difference with the light ambiance.

3. Data Visualization Dimensions

Just like the text, your charts, graphs, and data visualizations must be easy to read and understand. Generally, if a person is interested in your research and has already read some of the text from two meters away, they’ll come closer to look at the charts and graphs. 

Fit data visualizations inside columns or let them span over two columns. Remove any unnecessary borders, lines, or labels to make them easier to read at a glance. Use a flat design without shadows or 3D characteristics. The text in legends and captions should stay within the chart size and not overflow into the margins. Use a unified text size of 18px for all your data visualizations.

4. Alignment, Margins, and White Space

Finally, the last design tip for creating an impressive and memorable poster presentation is to be mindful of the layout’s alignment, margins, and white space. Create text boxes to help keep everything aligned. They allow you to resize, adapt, and align the content along a margin or grid.

Take advantage of the white space created by borders and margins between sections. Don’t crowd them with a busy background or unattractive color.

Calculate margins considering a print format. It is a good practice in case the poster presentation ends up becoming in physical format, as you won’t need to downscale your entire design (affecting text readability in the process) to preserve information.

There are different tools that you can use to make a poster presentation. Presenters who are familiar with Microsoft Office prefer to use PowerPoint. You can learn how to make a poster in PowerPoint here.

Poster Presentation Examples

Before you start creating a poster presentation, look at some examples of real research posters. Get inspired and get creative.

Research poster presentations printed and mounted on a board look like the one in the image below. The presenter stands to the side, ready to share the information with visitors as they walk up to the panels.

With more and more conferences staying virtual or hybrid, the digital poster presentation is here to stay. Take a look at examples from a poster session at the OHSU School of Medicine .

Use SlideModel templates to help you create a winning poster presentation with PowerPoint and Google Slides. These poster PPT templates will get you off on the right foot. Mix and match tables and data visualizations from other poster slide templates to create your ideal layout according to the standard guidelines.

If you need a quick method to create a presentation deck to talk about your research poster at conferences, check out our Slides AI presentation maker. A tool in which you add the topic, curate the outline, select a design, and let AI do the work for you.

1. One-pager Scientific Poster Template for PowerPoint

A PowerPoint template tailored to make your poster presentations an easy-to-craft process. Meet our One-Pager Scientific Poster Slide Template, entirely editable to your preferences and with ample room to accommodate graphs, data charts, and much more.

Use This Template

2. Eisenhower Matrix Slides Template for PowerPoint

An Eisenhower Matrix is a powerful tool to represent priorities, classifying work according to urgency and importance. Presenters can use this 2×2 matrix in poster presentations to expose the effort required for the research process, as it also helps to communicate strategy planning.

3. OSMG Framework PowerPoint Template

Finally, we recommend presenters check our OSMG Framework PowerPoint template, as it is an ideal tool for representing a business plan: its goals, strategies, and measures for success. Expose complex processes in a simplified manner by adding this template to your poster presentation.

Remember these three words when making your research poster presentation: develop, design, and present. These are the three main actions toward a successful poster presentation. 

The section below will take you on a step-by-step journey to create your next poster presentation.

Step 1: Define the purpose and audience of your poster presentation

Before making a poster presentation design, you’ll need to plan first. Here are some questions to answer at this point:

• Are they in your field? 
• Do they know about your research topic? 
• What can they get from your research?
• Will you print it?
• Is it for a virtual conference?

Step 2: Make an outline

With a clear purpose and strategy, it’s time to collect the most important information from your research paper, analysis, or documentation. Make a content dump and then select the most interesting information. Use the content to draft an outline.

Outlines help formulate the overall structure better than going straight into designing the poster. Mimic the standard poster structure in your outline using section headlines as separators. Go further and separate the content into the columns they’ll be placed in.

Step 3: Write the content

Write or rewrite the content for the sections in your poster presentation. Use the text in your research paper as a base, but summarize it to be more succinct in what you share. 

Don’t forget to write a catchy title that presents the problem and your findings in a clear way. Likewise, craft the headlines for the sections in a similar tone as the title, creating consistency in the message. Include subtle transitions between sections to help follow the flow of information in order.

Avoid copying/pasting entire sections of the research paper on which the poster is based. Opt for the storytelling approach, so the delivered message results are interesting for your audience. 

Step 4: Put it all together visually

This entire guide on how to design a research poster presentation is the perfect resource to help you with this step. Follow all the tips and guidelines and have an unforgettable poster presentation.

Moving on, here’s how to design a research poster presentation with PowerPoint Templates . Open a new project and size it to the standard 48 x 36 inches. Using the outline, map out the sections on the empty canvas. Add a text box for each title, headline, and body text. Piece by piece, add the content into their corresponding text box.

Transform the text information visually, make bullet points, and place the content in tables and timelines. Make your text visual to avoid chunky text blocks that no one will have time to read. Make sure all text sizes are coherent for all headings, body texts, image captions, etc. Double-check for spacing and text box formatting.

Next, add or create data visualizations, images, or diagrams. Align everything into columns and sections, making sure there’s no overflow. Add captions and legends to the visualizations, and check the color contrast with colleagues and friends. Ask for feedback and progress to the last step.

Step 5: Last touches

Time to check the final touches on your poster presentation design. Here’s a checklist to help finalize your research poster before sending it to printers or the virtual summit rep.

• Check the resolution of all visual elements in your poster design. Zoom to 100 or 200% to see if the images pixelate. Avoid this problem by using vector design elements and high-resolution images.
• Ensure that charts and graphs are easy to read and don’t look crowded.
• Analyze the visual hierarchy. Is there a visual flow through the title, introduction, data, and conclusion?
• Take a step back and check if it’s legible from a distance. Is there enough white space for the content to breathe?
• Does the design look inviting and interesting?

An often neglected topic arises when we need to print our designs for any exhibition purpose. Since A0 is a hard-to-manage format for most printers, these poster presentations result in heftier charges for the user. Instead, you can opt to work your design in two A1 sheets, which also becomes more manageable for transportation. Create seamless borders for the section on which the poster sheets should meet, or work with a white background.

Paper weight options should be over 200 gsm to avoid unwanted damage during the printing process due to heavy ink usage. If possible, laminate your print or stick it to photographic paper – this shall protect your work from spills.

Finally, always run a test print. Gray tints may not be printed as clearly as you see them on screen (this is due to the RGB to CMYK conversion process). Other differences can be appreciated when working with ink jet plotters vs. laser printers. Give yourself enough room to maneuver last-minute design changes.

Presenting a research poster is a big step in the poster presentation cycle. Your poster presentation might or might not be judged by faculty or peers. But knowing what judges look for will help you prepare for the design and oral presentation, regardless of whether you receive a grade for your work or if it’s business related. Likewise, the same principles apply when presenting at an in-person or virtual summit.

The opening statement

Part of presenting a research poster is welcoming the viewer to your small personal area in the sea of poster presentations. You’ll need an opening statement to pitch your research poster and get the viewers’ attention.

Draft a 2 to 3-sentence pitch that covers the most important points:

• What the research is
• Why was it conducted
• What the results say

From that opening statement, you’re ready to continue with the oral presentation for the benefit of your attendees.

The oral presentation

During the oral presentation, share the information on the poster while conversing with the interested public. Practice many times before the event. Structure the oral presentation as conversation points, and use the poster’s visual flow as support. Make eye contact with your audience as you speak, but don’t make them uncomfortable.

Pro Tip: In a conference or summit, if people show up to your poster area after you’ve started presenting it to another group, finish and then address the new visitors.

QA Sessions 

When you’ve finished the oral presentation, offer the audience a chance to ask questions. You can tell them before starting the presentation that you’ll be holding a QA session at the end. Doing so will prevent interruptions as you’re speaking.

If presenting to one or two people, be flexible and answer questions as you review all the sections on your poster.

Supplemental Material

If your audience is interested in learning more, you can offer another content type, further imprinting the information in their minds. Some ideas include; printed copies of your research paper, links to a website, a digital experience of your poster, a thesis PDF, or data spreadsheets.

Your audience will want to contact you for further conversations; include contact details in your supplemental material. If you don’t offer anything else, at least have business cards.

Even though conferences have changed, the research poster’s importance hasn’t diminished. Now, instead of simply creating a printed poster presentation, you can also make it for digital platforms. The final output will depend on the conference and its requirements.

This guide covered all the essential information you need to know for creating impactful poster presentations, from design, structure and layout tips to oral presentation techniques to engage your audience better . 

Before your next poster session, bookmark and review this guide to help you design a winning poster presentation every time. 

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14 creative poster ideas for design inspirations.

Explore some of our favorite poster designs to ignite your imagination for your next poster project.

Create your poster now

1. Create synergy with graphic and text design.

This poster design is undeniably eye-catching. An epic photograph with dynamic lines and colors that catch your attention. What ultimately makes this design feel complete is the way the text plays off the photo. The font echoes the blurred image’s sentiment by layering several text lines on top of each other. Think about the relationship between imagery and type styles as you build your next photo to provide a complete, well-rounded visual experience.

2. Use icons in new, imaginative ways.

If you don’t have professional photos at your disposal, don’t sweat them. The graphic imagery seen here is simply a saxophone icon (available to you on Adobe Express) enlarged to fill the background. Think about the ways an icon can serve the visual needs of your poster. Can you arrange icons to make a shape or pattern on your poster? What about blowing up your text to create a shape or design using the letters and negative space? Challenge yourself to think outside of the box.

3. Use vibrant, eye-catching colors.

Do you know your primary colors? Secondary colors? What about complementary colors? Explore color themes provided by Adobe Express to make your design communicate the right message and let your message pop. In this case, bright colors build excitement for the colorful Day of the Dead holiday. Consider what colors best tell your story and explore with different pairings to achieve that.

4. Rethink an object’s potential.

This is a compelling poster that is succeeding with creativity alone. If you don’t have professional photos at your disposal, don’t sweat them. The graphic imagery seen here is simply an icon (available to you on Adobe Express) blown up to fit the poster. Can an icon serve your visual needs for your poster? Can you arrange icons to make a shape or pattern on your poster? What about blowing up your text to create a design using the letters and negative space? Challenge yourself to think outside of the box.

5. Play with symmetry.

The photo seen here includes the astronaut’s reflection in the water, but you can achieve that type of symmetry by exploring layout options with images. Try a split layout – upload a photo to one side, then the same photo to the other side. Use the flip tool to mirror the image and then adjust the two pictures to line up as a mirror image.

6. Use layers to transform your design.

Drop-in an image to your poster design. Add a filter. Place a graphic image or icon on top of it. Adjust the transparency and add a filter to it. Throw in some shape blocks and then overlay text. Layers create depth and can transform something ordinary into something extraordinary. Let go of preconceived notions and experiment a little with layering different elements.

7. Lots of solutions for lots of text.

Sometimes, we have to communicate a lot of information on posters. Avoid filling up the entire page with words, and use design elements such as shape, color, and negative space to turn your text into part of the design. We love this example for how it fits Wednesday’s Open Mic into the square and echoes the shape. Then, color, size, and placement are used to create a hierarchy with the information.

8. Play with outstanding font combinations.

When it comes to font pairings, a good rule of thumb is that opposites attract. Generally, you’ll want a primary font, used for eye-catching headlines and reflecting the design’s tone, and a secondary font that is easy to read that can be used for paragraphs. For example, if you pick a curvy, handwritten primary font, opt for a more neutral serif or san serif secondary font. We love this poster example because it takes font pairing to the next level. Since this is a poster ad for a type workshop, it only fits to use all the typefaces. Notice that the secondary copy below follows our rule of thumb for being something less attention-grabbing.

9. Finding the perfect placement.

Own a small business or brand? Use Adobe Express to create artistic, professional advertising without spending a fortune. Use image content you have already, even if it’s just photos from your smartphone, and add filters and text effects in your Adobe Express workspace. Explore opportunities to make posters of all different sizes to share online or in your community.

10. Showcase facts with infographics.

Posters are a fantastic canvas for infographics because they can offer plenty of real estate. Maybe you’re a teacher, a workout coach, or a chef and need an infographic to hang in the kitchen for new hires to reference, like in this example. Create an infographic poster to make your information easy to read and remember. Use design elements like icons, imagery, collaging, or even just color-coded text to break up your info and make it fun to read.

11. Get creative with collaging.

Collaging is a great approach for poster design. If you have multiple images you’d like to feature in your design, using a grid layout is a graphically interesting way to showcase them. As seen in this example, collages can be symmetrical or more playful and asymmetrical, as found in our layout options. You can collage with photos, icons, or even text boxes, all depending on the aesthetic you’re going for.

12. Create artful advertising.

Own a small business or brand? Use Adobe Express to create artistic, professional advertising without spending a fortune. Use image content you have already, even if it’s just photos from your smartphone, and spice it up with filters and text effects in your Adobe Express workspace. Explore the opportunities to make posters of all different sizes to share online or in your community to get your brand out there.

13. Explore with daring, artful design choices.

Posters are an excellent opportunity for trying out something bold and creative. Test out unconventional text arrangements, such as stacking seen here or overlaying text on top of color-blocked shapes and lines. Avoid doing too much at once – make one or two bold choices and let them be the focal point of your poster.

14. Make a poster, just because.

Did you take an epic photo on your last family vacation? Maybe there’s a quote or mantra that’s been resonating with you recently? Perhaps there’s a holiday coming up, and you need some decorations. You don’t need to have a specific purpose for making a poster. Turn your on-the-fly photos or inspirational quotes into art using our editing tools.

How to make a poster with Adobe Express.

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How To Make A Poster , How To Make A Poster Online

When did you last see a creative poster design that instantly impressed you?

It probably left you remarking, “ Woah, how good is that !” Perhaps, you happened to ask yourself a few questions, too:

“ Who’s the artist behind this poster? ”

“ Where did they get the poster design idea or inspiration from? ”

And, probably this, too: “ How much work went into creating this masterpiece? ”

From this article, you will learn the nitty-gritty of designing a creative poster using a free online poster maker . It can be a movie poster, an infomercial poster, a corporate, or a digital poster.

The poster is an evergreen marketing and advertising tool that grabs people’s attention and conveys information in an artistic way.

240,695 people use Picmaker to design posters

Posters have historically been a tool for calls to action. They have also been a symbol of celebration of important events, festivals, and more.

For example, the “I Want You” poster is one of the iconic images in American history. Designed by renowned illustrator James Montgomery Flagg, the US Army used it to recruit soldiers during World War I, with as many as four million copies being printed between 1917 and 1918 alone.

Along with the caption, the image of Uncle Sam gesturing his finger at the viewers urging them to join the war effort, makes the poster stand out.

Armin Hofmann's “ Die Gute Form (Good Form) ” is another poster of such enormity. It emerged after WWII and became known as the international typographic style. It used Sans Serif typefaces (particularly Helvetica) and, along with monochrome photography, was perfect for a prominent yet clear style of communication.

ALSO READ: The Hidden Secrets of Making a Poster Online, for Free

Whether you’re a business launching a new product or an individual advertising your online business , posters are an essential tool.

Posters generally work well across the board. Who you are, what you do, and what you’re promoting, do not really matter. A poster's job is to create a visual impact on the viewer and provide them with enough information to drive the desired action.

No two posters are the same either. A poster design for a star wars movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio will be different from one that announces a music festival.

Picmaker's templates are free and ready to use

A well-designed poster boosts a brand’s image. Conversely, a shoddy design could hamper a brand's reputation. An on-brand creative poster establishes authority, drives interest, and connects with the target audience.

Posters come in different types: advertisement, travel, informative, motivational, and more.

Advertisement posters

Brands use this type of poster to promote their product and service offerings. Advertisement posters are, however, also used to campaign for a social cause or movement.

Ad posters are designed to elicit emotion and persuade viewers to take action. It might include: completing a purchase, making a donation , filling out questionnaires, et cetera.

This is an advertisement poster from a fashion retailer announcing a summer flash sale. The poster copy includes terms such as “special”, “flash sale” and “offer”, instilling a sense of urgency in shoppers.

Motivational posters

These are one-page posters designed to inspire and motivate an audience.

The poster copy includes motivational quotes or a thought-provoking caption presented in bold typography. The copy overlays the background with a scenic image or a picture of an inspirational figure.

Motivational posters are designed to inspire people and remind them of their potential.

This is a minimalist motivational poster with the caption “ Good things take time .” The caption overlays a scenic background that is immersive and reminds viewers of the journey to the top of the mountain.

Informative posters

Informative posters are designed to inform the audience about a particular subject or trend. They feature simple facts presented in an attractive manner.

Viewers typically spend more time consuming the information on an informative poster - because of its educational nature - compared to others.

This is an informative poster. It displays the fact that 75 percent of planet Earth is water, a fast-depleting natural source. The poster promotes an event about water conservation. Its call-to-action is concise, clear, and encourages people to attend the event.

Promotional posters

These are movie and fashion posters that promote an upcoming film or a fashion event.

A movie poster mentions the release date and shows the main protagonist(s) starring in an upcoming flick. It informs people of when the trailer is released and includes enticing details to generate buzz before the big release.

A fashion poster includes information on where and when the event is being held, the event sponsor details, the event episode, and more.

This is a simple fashion poster with key event details. The copy includes a reference to "age". The trendy picture of a man in casual attire indicates the collections that might be on display.

Travel posters

These posters accomplish the dual purpose of promoting travel services while inspiring people to travel.

Travel posters feature the biggest attractions in the world. They include the most attractive spots that usher wanderlust in people, like white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. They are typically colorful and display luxury to attract travel enthusiasts.

This is a travel poster that comes with the caption “ When all else fails, take a vacation ”. The caption and the scenic background encourage people to travel and take a break from their busy schedules.

Event posters

Event posters don’t require much description.

However, they focus on generating buzz and awareness about the event. They typically include bite-sized information, enough to grab people's attention, and a call-to-action encouraging them to register.

An event poster’s design and the copy must seamlessly convey what the audience can expect from the event.

This is an event poster that conveys the 'what', 'where', and 'when' of the event. The copy also includes information about the performers, where to buy tickets, and more.

RELATED: How to Design a Star Wars Poster for Free

Let's look at the different ways you can customize your creative poster design to achieve your campaign goals.

Creative Poster Idea #1: Use Color Overlays For Motivational Posters

Color overlays subdue the background. A minimalist approach is often the best for motivational posters.

Motivational posters typically feature an eye-catching background image along with an inspiring caption. However, at times, the image can grab all the attention and distract the viewer from consuming the motivational message.

Color overlays help solve this by neutralizing the background. Thus, the poster copy draws the reader’s attention.

Above is a motivational poster in which a transparent layer highlights the text and subdues the background image.

Gradients offer an equally good alternative to create focus when working with a motivational poster.

Creative Poster Idea #2: Dual-toned Headline

A dual-toned headline enhances the look and feel of a creative poster. The trick is to choose two contrasting hues that stand out from the background.

The poster below typifies this. The caption “ Stop Racism ” is in contrasting colors and, therefore, pops out and grabs the attention.

Remember - human eyes are drawn toward objects that are distinguishable from those around them.

Creative Poster Idea #3: Stick To A Consistent Page Margin Width

Two aspects of this poster make it a must-have in your design kit.

The title caption “ Shape your body muscle ” complements the photo of a man lifting dumbbells and displaying his muscular and toned physique.

The second standout feature is the consistent margin width, which gives it an organized, professional look. As you read one line after the other, your eyes know immediately where to look next. That’s the key trait of this ad poster, encouraging people to join the fitness center and build muscle.

So one idea for your next poster is a consistent margin width.

Creative Poster Idea #4: Choose A Bold Color Scheme

Minimalist designs dominated the last decade, but the bold color scheme is becoming mainstream again. Especially for posters, a bold color scheme helps designs stand out from the rest.

Take this poster example. The designer’s bold color choices have elevated the design. It also does a good job of drawing the reader’s attention and conveying the message quickly.

Creative Poster Idea #5: Pick a Poster Idea Relevant To The Theme

Design choices incongruent with the poster theme or topic are more common than most of us think. For example, a business poster would not look like it if its design contained fun font choices and a rich color palette.

Take this poster example. It’s a restaurant poster announcing a 30 percent offer on the weekend menu. The copy complements an image of a mouthwatering food item that encourages people to visit the restaurant and grab the offer.

In other words, the poster design is coherent as the font, color choices and design elements are complementary.

Creative Poster Idea #6: Include Product Images In Your Poster

A designer must know if their poster design needs a product image to lend a focal point or even to purely reinforce the messaging.

In this cosmetic poster, the designer has included cosmetic products that not only reflect the poster’s theme but also are the main focus.

BONUS TIP: Check if the product image can also be a part of the poster caption to blend it seamlessly with the design.

Creative Poster Idea #7: Incorporate Shapes And Patterns In Your Poster Design

In this poster example, the design elements and caption combine to drive the key message: “ Stop ocean plastic pollution. ”

Plastic bottles and other objects floating in the ocean is not an uncommon sight.

In this case, the designer has used a graphical illustration to convey the core message.

Creative Poster Idea #8: Use Objects And Icons To guide The Eye To Key Information

Effective use of objects and icons draws the reader’s attention to the key part(s) of a poster.

In this poster example, the arrangement of fruits directs the eye to the centrally-aligned text.

The design also complements the theme of the event that’s advertised.

Creative Poster Idea #9: Add Poster Depth With A Transparent Background

Earlier we mentioned the importance of color overlay to subdue the background image.

Now, a transparent background can also help increase the depth of your poster.

Take this poster example. The designer has provided extra depth with a transparent background. In addition, a bold color palette along with a contextual image lends elegance to the design.

Creative Poster Idea #10: A Simple, Crisp Tagline Works Wonders

In today’s fast-paced world, getting the message across quickly is as important as conveying the right message.

This poster does it efficiently.

It gets straight to the point with the caption right at the top, complemented by a minimalist design and color scheme.

Creative Poster Idea #11: Don’t Worry About Negative Space

Not every poster design must cover each pixel to make it interesting and attractive.

As this poster example shows, negative space is not a bad design practice. Instead, it allows the poster text to gain prominence.

Creative Poster Idea #12: Ensure The Key Information Is Noticeable

Key information such as location, address, and contact details should be easy to find and read. After all, searching for those details from top to bottom, only to find them lying around somewhere, creates a bad experience. Also, the poster may not solve the problem effectively.

Take this poster example. It first answers the question ‘what’. Secondly, the reader can also get answers to questions ‘when’ and ‘where’ quite easily.

Creative Poster Idea #13: Let The Background Image Speak For The Poster

It is not uncommon for poster backgrounds to feel lost in a design. However, it doesn’t have to and can be the focal point of the poster.

Take this poster. It’s an announcement of an offer on the occasion of Holi festival.

The background sets the theme for the poster as people splash and play with the color powder, which is symbolic of Holi.

Creative Poster Idea #14: Use Contrasting Colors To Highlight Key Information

Incorporating contrasting colors in your creative poster is an effective way to grab the reader’s attention and convey information easily.

In this poster example, the words “STOP” and “HATE” are in contrasting hues, which adds to their prominence.

Creative Poster Idea #15: Use Colors And Shapes To Simplify Your Messaging

If your creative poster is packed with information, then effective use of colors and shapes can simplify and convey your message.

It is up to the designer to decide how much information they want to include in their poster, but it needs to be neatly organized for it to work.

Take this poster example. The smart use of icons and objects conveys the information in visual form, while the date and location details give the poster an organized look.

Creative Poster Idea #16: Experiment With Unique Fonts And Colors

Sometimes, a more casual design can convey the message more effectively.

As we see in this creative poster example. The letters in the word “HOLI” are presented in a unique way to fit the theme and also give it a casual look.

Creative Poster Idea #17: You Don’t Always Have To Use The Full Canvas

This is similar to negative space in your poster.

You don't always need to use the entire canvas and fill it up with content.

Effective use of space is an important part of design, let alone posters, as it gives a professional look and guides the reader to the key parts of the design.

Take this poster example. The designer has ensured the poster conveys the essential information and, by providing enough white space, has clearly defined the focal point.

Creative Poster Idea #18: Minimalism + Bold Colors = Killer Combination

Take this creative poster example. It combines minimalism with a dash of bold colors to catch the eye.

This poster is a great example of how to effectively get your message across without abandoning minimalism principles.

Creative Poster Idea #19: Ensure The Poster Design Matches The Event Theme

This is particularly true for event posters.

You don’t want your music festival poster to wear the look of one that promotes a book fair.

Take the above creative poster as an example. It is an advert for a music festival. Its design, graphic elements and font choices make it clear to the reader that it is a music festival poster.

Creative Poster Idea #20: Use Boxes And Borders To Break Down Poster Into Different Sections

No hard-and-fast rule exists as to how much information you should include in your creative poster.

However, the information you include in your poster must be easily consumable for the reader.

Using boxes and borders helps convey your message easily and adds hierarchy to your poster, as we see in this creative poster example.

Creative Poster Idea #21: Emphasize Elements To Heighten The Drama

You don’t want your poster to be bland and feel empty as your target audience sees it, do you?

Posters must create an emotional connection with your reader and persuade them to know more about your brand, what you’re selling, and what’s in it for them.

Emphasizing the elements in your poster is an effective way to emotionally connect with your reader. Ensure that it matches your poster's theme.

As this Valentine’s Day poster example shows.

The poster design is impactful and is likely to elicit a reaction from the viewer.

Creative Poster Idea #22: Be Prepared To Experiment

It is okay to experiment with your poster design to create an impact with your audience and draw a reaction from them.

Take this creative poster example. Its description is a little out of the ordinary. But ultimately, it does a stellar job of conveying the message and heightening the level of curiosity.

Creative Poster Idea #23: Use Photos For Credibility

Photos, like other design elements, alter the feel and mood of your poster. And importantly, convey a message on its own.

Take this creative poster example. It’s a poster designed to invite professionals to attend a business conference. While the text makes it clear the poster is about a business conference, the photo of a man in a business suit adds a layer of professionalism to the poster.

Creative Poster Idea #24: Experiment With Formatting And Size

All posters are designed differently, and their formatting and size don’t always have to be the same either.

It’s okay to fiddle with the poster dimensions. It doesn’t always need to be vertical either (give horizontal and square a try).

Don’t be afraid to experiment with the design to maximize the potential of your creative poster.

Creative Poster Idea #25: Limit Your Call-to-action To Just One

Posters must provide enough information to persuade the readers to take action.

This creative poster example has one Call-to-action, the perfect number for each poster.

Adding more than one CTA could confuse the reader and clutter your designs.

Designing a poster that grabs the eyeballs and leads your target audience to take action needs a well-defined approach.

Here’re five tips to design a creative poster that gets you results.

Tip #1: Start With A Poster Template

Get the foundation you need for your poster by choosing a poster template from Picmaker’s library . Identify a template with the type of layout you need (image placeholders, header placement, icons and illustrations, and more) and which will help you accomplish your goal.

Tip #2: Choose A Branded Color Palette

Your color palette is one of the most prominent features of your poster. It varies based on the event or purpose of your poster. If your organization has brand design guidelines, Picmaker gives you the option to upload your brand logo , custom font, and brand colors, and incorporate them into your poster design.

RELATED: 10 Student Poster Examples For Classroom Inspiration

Creating a poster takes less than 2 minutes!

Tip #3: Use Fonts As Per The Hierarchy Of Information

Choose primary, secondary and tertiary fonts for your poster design. The headline takes the primary font as the part of the poster that grabs the reader’s attention and lends context to other information. Secondary and tertiary fonts should be used for the descriptive text below the headline, sub-titles (if any), bullet points and other text elements.

Tip #4: Amp Up Contrast

You have only one chance to capture a reader’s attention. Providing high contrast between the poster elements can help grab eye-balls. If your brand guidelines allow, choose a bold color palette and a high-contrast background to help your poster stand out.

Tip #5: Download Your Poster In Optimal Format

Once you have designed your creative poster, download it in an optimal format based on how you want to distribute it. Picmaker, a free poster creator, allows you to download your poster in PNG, PDF, and JPEG formats. Downloading in PNG format will be ideal for use on social media and to share via emails. If you want to print out the poster, download it in PDF format.

• Posters are an effective tool for marketing and advertising as they inherently boost a brand’s image and clearly communicate the message.
• Posters come in a variety of formats and cater to different purposes, but each poster needs to be tailored to maximize its potential.
• Pick a creative poster idea that fits the theme of your event. You can choose a poster template from Picmaker’s extensive library of templates and customize it based on your requirements.
• Don’t hesitate to experiment with high-contrast colors in your poster design as this helps grab the reader’s attention. But ensure your color theme is on-brand.
• Include photos in your poster (if necessary) to add credibility and make your design professional.
• Use Picmaker’s MAD Button to jazz up your design and effortlessly mix and match colors, fonts, and typography to create a high-converting poster.

What type of poster have you created using Picmaker, the best online tool for poster making? Share your experience creating the poster in the comments section below.

Additional Reading

• Looking to create an awesome Show Poster? Here's Your 6-step Guide To Design A Show Poster
• Digital Poster: Advantages, Design Mistakes To Avoid & 75 Free-to-use Templates
• 5 Ways how professional bloggers can use Picmaker to design brilliant graphics
• If you're looking to make gaming logos, then read our detailed guide to know how you can do it for free with gaming logo templates .
• And, if you need a logo for yourself, business or otherwise, don't forget to read our detailed guide on how to get it done in 5 minutes .
• Do you want to have an awesome Star Wars poster for yourself? Read our detailed guide about how to create one that stands out.

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How to Design a Winning Poster Presentation: A Quick Guide 

Are you looking to make a lasting impression at your next conference or academic event?  Have you ever been in a situation where you had to present a poster presentation for a conference but didn’t know where to start?  Designing a winning poster presentation design can be daunting, especially when you have limited time and resources. But don’t worry, with a little planning and creativity; you can create a poster presentation that will grab your audience’s attention and effectively communicate your message. 

In this blog, we will dive into the world of poster design and provide a quick guide on creating a creative poster presentation design. From choosing the right layout and color scheme to selecting the best images and fonts, we will share examples and templates to help you along the way. 

Are you ready to design a poster presentation that will make an impactful impression? 

Let’s get started!

What is a poster presentation?

A poster presentation is a great way of communicating research, study findings, concepts, and ideas. It is a visual representation of information used to attract the audience’s attention and explain the topic in an easy-to-understand manner. A poster presentation typically consists of a poster and a brief explanation.

The poster should be designed to be visually appealing and include a compelling title slide that will draw the audience’s attention. The content should be organized logically and include a clear message that differentiates it from other posters. 

The text should be concise and written in a large font size to be easily read from a distance. Additionally, the poster should include images, PowerPoint tables , graphs, and other visuals to help illustrate the points made.

The brief explanation should be five minutes long and provide an overview of the poster’s content. The speaker should be friendly and professional and use appropriate language for the audience.

How to make a poster presentation?

Making a poster presentation can be a great way to showcase your research or project, but it can also be a bit overwhelming if you’re unsure where to start. Here are tips for poster presentation that will grab your audience’s attention and effectively communicate your message.

Start with a plan

Before you start designing your poster, it’s essential to have a clear idea of what you wish to achieve. Think about your audience, message, and the key points you want to communicate. Once you have a plan in place, it will be much easier to create a poster presentation PowerPoint that is both visually appealing and informative.

Choose the right layout

The layout of your poster presentation is important as it can affect how easily people can read and understand your information. A good layout with a clear information hierarchy will be easy to read. You can use various fonts, sizes, and colors to emphasize the most important points.

Use images and graphics

A poster presentation full of text can be overwhelming, so it’s important to include images and PowerPoint graphics to break up the text and make it more visually appealing. Make sure to choose relevant images for your topic, which will help to communicate your message.

Use contrasting colors

Choosing the right color scheme is essential for ensuring your poster presentation design is easy to read and engage. Use contrasting colors for the background and text, and ensure that the text is easy to read against the background.

Proofread and edit

Once you’ve finished designing your creative poster presentation, it’s vital to proofread and edit it to ensure there are no mistakes or typos. It’s also a good idea to get feedback from others to see if any changes or improvements can be made.

Creating a creative poster presentation takes a bit of planning, creativity, and attention to detail, but by following these tips, you can design a poster that will engage your audience and effectively communicate your message. Remember, a poster presentation PPT is not just a collection of text and images; it’s a visual tool to communicate your ideas and research.

Tips for Poster Presentation

Creating an appealing poster presentation perfectly captures your audience’s attention and effectively communicates your message. Here are five tips to help you create an effective PowerPoint poster presentation:

Keep it simple

Your poster should be easy to read and understand. Avoid using too many colors or borders, as this can be distracting and look untidy. Use a limited color palette and keep the text concise.

Choose an eye-catching headline

Think of some eye catchy or witty text as your poster’s focal point to grab people’s attention. They will want to look closer if it makes them laugh or piques their curiosity.

Use high-quality photos

You can use pictures to design posters, and choosing high-resolution photos is essential, especially if you print them in large pixels or sizes. Any pixelation or slightly blurred graphics can turn your design into a disaster.

Introduce your poster presentation with a “1 Minute Pitch.”

You don’t want to “give everything away,” so to speak, but rather capture the interest of your audience, introduce yourself and the project, and spark a dialogue.

Add a memorable call to action

Your poster will only be meaningful if it makes the audience act on the message you delivered. Compose a clear call to action to inform them of what to do next. You can add details on where to purchase tickets for event posters in your call to action.

By following these tips, you can create a compelling and creative poster presentation design that will capture your audience’s attention and effectively communicate your message.

Poster Presentation Examples

When creating a creative poster presentation, seeing examples can be a great way to get inspiration and see what works. In this section, we will be showcasing a variety of poster presentation examples that demonstrate different design techniques and styles. 

From scientific research posters to creative projects, these examples will give you a better understanding of how to create a poster that will grab your audience’s attention and effectively communicate your message. 

Wrapping It Up

Creating a creative poster presentation requires careful planning and attention to detail. It is essential to identify the poster’s goal, consider the target audience, decide where to share it, use a pre-made PowerPoint template , pick a relevant or branded color scheme, include a clear call-to-action, and use fonts to create a hierarchy of information. 

Additionally, ensuring the poster has an attractive visual impact, a compelling title, a clear message, cohesiveness, design and readability, storytelling, alignment, margins, and white space is essential. By following these tips, you have access to various ideas for poster presentations that will have a lasting impact.

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English Editing Research Services

Make Scientific Research Posters that Get Attention

Think of your scientific research conference poster as a networking and communication tool, and not a document or summary. If you can do this, you’ve taken a huge first step in making your scientific research poster a magnet for attendees. And you’ll draw envious glares from the presenters on your left and right.

At scientific and research-related conferences, poster presentations are:

• Your visual backdrop and a compelling statement of your research
• A conversation starter
• Your chance to get attention!

If done well, your poster presentation can:

• Help you make valuable professional and personal connections
• Quickly and compellingly communicate why your work is important
• Set you apart from the crowd!

If your poster’s done poorly, it can achieve nothing. You need to them to stop and take notice, connect with you, not… walk on by.

Make your poster presentation pop. Sizes, fonts, style, tone, tools, and examples follow.

What you’ll learn in this post

• Where scientific posters are used, and why.

• The objective and what to keep in mind when planning and making a scientific research poster.

• How researchers can more effectively use poster presentations to both inform and connect.

• What to put on a scientific poster and what software tools will make it pop.

• Common poster mistakes (especially for ESL/EFL English users) and how to avoid them.

• Specific examples of attractive, effective, and modern posters.

What is a poster session and a poster presentation?

Academic conferences have presentation where people stand behind lecterns and talk about their work. And they have networking sessions, which are commonly called poster sessions .

If you’re a researcher, you’ve likely been there: halls and lobbies full of boards arranged in rows onto which researchers pin their posters – graphical, pictorial summaries of their work. These are chances to promote your work to colleagues and even to the prestigious attendees.

There may be food involved, too. So, in a poster session, people may be walking around with a drink in one hand and a stack of pamphlets and papers in the other.

What do you do at a poster session?

You stand by your poster, for one. And you walk around and look at other posters as you network. Guests also walk around among the posters, stopping to talk with attendees along the way.

Apart from your stage presentation, if you had one, this is your chance for your work to capture interest.

As a researcher, you’re probably not used being a salesperson. You may also be scared to death of speaking with strangers, especially VIP scientists.

That’s OK, you have your poster to do some of the work for you. It’s your key that unlocks engagement.

What’s the goal of a poster?

A poster’s goal is to get the attention of passersby at scientific conferences. It’s a big paper board and a networking tool.

Simply put, a presentation poster is a graphical representation of your recent work – an article or a work in progress, or even a proposal. Printed on a big board.

More than that, it’s an engagement tool. To get people to stop, look, and engage, the poster should be treated like a presentation slide, rather than a document.

A good poster is attractive, clear, and when it gets interest, its mission is accomplished.

When people stop, you can approach them, because you’re the researcher. You can start dialog and connect. The poster is what made this happen.

What a poster is NOT

We edit many posters at Edanz. We fix up the English to a high level, of course. But frankly, many of these research posters are rather dull, even when they are presenting interesting science that people will want to discuss. The authors only see them as super-sized abstracts with a figure or two added.

Often they squeeze in too many words and lots of numbers and data. Many of these posters are have problems with formatting, making them hard to read and understand.

A conference poster is not a place to present all your data and give deep analysis. It doesn’t need every single detail of your latest article.

It does, however, need a logical structure and some visual appeal.

A poster is not to communicate every detail of your research, but rather to attract people’s attention and start conversation. Keep that in mind as you prepare it.

So then, what do you put on a research poster and how do you make it?

What goes on a poster for a poster presentation?

The overall structure and flow of a poster presentation is much like a research paper.

Key elements of a poster

As the late Paul Arden, a renowned creative director, said:

“The more strikingly visual your presentation is, the more people will remember it. And, more importantly, they will remember you.”

It’s true of ads and it’s true of scientific posters. Your poster should contain text and visuals. How you use them will determine its success.

Text in a poster

A poster typically includes the following text:

• Title of your work
• Authors and affiliations
• Introduction/background
• (optional) Questions/knowledge gap
• Materials, Materials and methods, or Patients
• Conclusions
• References for proper attribution
• Acknowledgements

As with a manuscript, and what our professional editors always recommend, much of the same applies for a poster presentation.

The key difference is that you don’t have to strictly adhere to grammatical rules. A few sentence fragments are fine. Bullet points are recommended.

But you still have to keep it academic. No slang or emojis, yo. ?

As for length, 300–800 words as a general rule. Any more than that and your font will probably become too small to read or there will be too much text jammed into your sections.

Despite the consensus being on around 300–800, some argue for even as low as 100–150, on the grounds that very few people actually read posters word for word anyway. If you have one solid main point, you might try this approach, and instead let your images and formatting do the main communicating.

Do your best to:

• Keep your wording as short and “plain” (understandable to a wide audience) as possible.
• Use the active voice (“We found…”) not the passive voice (…was found by…).
• Use language suitable for your audience; meaning you can use specialized terminology if they’ll understand it.
• Use ordered lists when possible – bullets (like this list) and numbers.
• Spell out any uncommon acronyms the first time you use them, unless they’re very common (such as HIV-AIDS or NGO).

We’d be happy to assign a pro editor to help you with this.

Visual elements of a poster

You accompany the text with visuals. Please use visuals. An all-text poster is no better than printing out your abstract in jumbo size.

Would a full-text billboard get your attention? Unlikely. It’s an eyesore. The same is true of a full-text or 95% text poster.

A couple of useful questions as you start

These will help you decide what to put In and in what format:

• What’s the most important finding that I want to communicate? (More than 1 is OK, but try to limit it.)
• How can I visually share my research with the conference attendees (e.g., charts, graphs, photos, diagrams… holograms!)?

Layout and visually effective posters

After you’ve decided what you’ll put in your poster (text and images), you need to plan your layout.

Sketch it out

It’s good to start with a sketch. You can simply do this by hand, in your Apple Notes or Google Keep, or in any number of increasingly available SaaS and local software packages.

If you’re confident, you can also just dive into your main software (see below). Whatever works best for you. If you’re collaborating with colleagues, a cloud-based platform will let you work collectively and from a distance.

Horizontal or vertical

Most poster presentations are horizontal, but it’s not a rule. If your conference doesn’t have specific guidelines, these are the most common sizes.

Make it flow logically

English is read left to right and top to bottom. So the text should follow that flow as well.

Normally, your title and the authors and affiliations will go at the top of your presentation poster. Then use headings (H2, H3, H4, etc. if you’re using Word Styles/HTML) to break it up. Those headings will simply be the abstract-type structure listed above. But you can add specific subheadings to them.

It’s not a journal submission , so you can make the rules, unless the conference has provided a template and/or specific guidelines.

Columns, alignment, spacing

Typically, a scientific conference poster will have 2–4 columns. These should be aligned, though it’s OK if visuals cross over multiple columns. Try to keep the text as aligned as possible though.

Left justification is generally easier to read, while headings may look better if they’re centered.

Leave white space between subsections and around images.

Those examples show quite a lot of text. That may or may not be necessary for you. You can also view these as slides or blocks. Using that approach you can make each section a slide in PowerPoint or Google Slides, and then paste them together to form your poster.

Here’s another take on structure, with a couple of vertical options:

The above two are rather conventional choices, and you can’t go wrong with them. But this is the 21st century and if there are no guidelines, you can be even braver. You can, dare we say, disrupt. Keep reading.

Colors and fonts

Your background should be plain white or a very subtle gradient that’s not distracting. Your text should be clear and easy to read. Any charts or graphics should be understood quickly and not include any unnecessary elements.

The standard fonts for English text are Arial and Times New Roman. Fonts are not something to toy with on your research poster. Other safe options are:

• And if you insist on being a bit unique with your font, Lato, Noto Sans, Poppins, and Merriweather will set you apart but maintain a mature look.

Avoid using Century font, as it seems to be the default on MS Word in Japan and possible other Asian countries. We’re not sure why, but it’s a rather clumsy and “uncool” font. Just use one of the above suggestions.

And finally, resist the urge to be cute and funny. That means absolutely do not use Comic Sans, a script font, or anything decorative. You might get a chuckle from a few viewers, but 90% will not be impressed. Guaranteed.

A special note to Asia-based authors:

Do not write English text in an Asian font.

We see this all too often on papers and manuscripts. Asian fonts are designed with different spacing to accommodate wider characters. This gives English text a blocky, imbalanced, and unnatural feel. This can create discomfort and even lead to bias.

• For Chinese authors, avoid SimSum and others.
• Japanese authors – avoid MS Mincho, MS Gothic, and others.
• And Korean authors – don’t use Malgun.

Use matte paper and attach this to the board. Alternatively, you can even print on canvas or cloth for a classy effect. This also lets you fold it into a suitcase or roll it into a tube for easier transport.

Avoid silk because it can sag and warp. It’s not durable enough.

Above all, avoid glossy surfaces, because they can reflect the light. Then no one can read your poster. This includes lamination. It may protect your paper, but it only hurts the readability.

“Fabric posters are a great idea. Typically I use cotton. Spend a bit extra to get yours printed on fabric. It’s much more convenient than traveling with a poster tube and you’ll save yourself some sanity at the conference.” — Jacqueline Tudball , PhD Edanz Author Guidance Consultant

What should you NOT put on your presentation poster?

A viewer might only spend a minute or two looking at your poster, so they should be able to quickly sense of it and what you’re trying to say.

Big no-nos are:

• Too many images, tables , or graphs – use the main one with a brief explanation
• Text that’s too small to read – check if you can easily read the body from from 1 m away and the headline from at least 3 m away
• Too many references – just cite what’s important regarding the information in your poster
• Competing eye-catching images – one is enough
• A picture that doesn’t say anything; your images have to communicate a core message
• Light text on a dark background; it hurts the eyes
• Glossy covering, or printing on glossy paper

What software should you use to make a research poster?

Use software you’re comfortable with, or use this as an opportunity to lift your design skills. If you’re working with others on your poster, all the major software packages have cloud-based options . But some are clearly better than others.

And if you dream of being a design wizard but your actual skills have other ideas, most of the tools below offer handy poster templates to get you started.

PowerPoint is also a very useful tool for making poster presentations. Set the page size before starting and add in your elements. You can either do this on a single slide or make each section a separate slide, then print and paste them to form your poster.

With the MS 365 suite, you can make your PowerPoint cloud-based so your whole research team can work on it no matter where they are. Just be aware that MS 365 still trails Google Workspace for ease of use. It’s hard to work on things at the same time on MS 365. The whole MS suite is also pay-to-use, unlike Google.

Here’s a terrific compilation of free PowerPoint poster templates.

Google Slides

Like Google Docs and Sheets are to MS Word and Excel, Google Slides is Google’s cloud-based version of PowerPoint. It’s cloud-based, so you your project will be PC- and place-independent, and your team can work on it collectively in real time. You can also import PowerPoint ppt/pptx files and they’ll generally convert with no problems at all.

Perhaps best of all, it’s free. And you’ll be compromising very little vs. PowerPoint. For the more design-talented, Adobe may be your best bet.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a long-standing program for both image manipulation and poster design. It’s now part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, which also includes Photoshop.

In Illustrator can set the page size for your poster beforehand and use templates to create a base.

As this software was design for a wide range of publishing functions, it’s easy to move things around. If you’re used to it and comfortable with it, use it. Just be aware that .ai files may not be compatible with other software. It’s also paid. So your whole team will need it and need to be comfortable with it if they’re going to be working on the poster design.

Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign has actually been around for over 20 years. But it’s taken a long time to gain a loyal following. Many professional designers now swear by it for its rich suite of options.

Especially for publications, when working with larger amounts of text, InDesign may be the best large-scale commercial software around.

Publishers and design agencies often use it in combination with Adobe InCopy, which the text-based roles such as copywriters and editors can use more easily and with less instruction.

You can find a handy PDF here on making posters in InDesign.

This a less-conventional choice but even design novices can turn out visually appealing designs on Canva .

While not near the complexity and power of the Adobe programs, Canva’s appeal is how very user-friendly it is, as well as its pre-baked features such as templates, color pallets, fonts, and a drag-and-drop interface.

Canva is free for basic use. A paid membership of about $10/month opens up a huge library of images and other options for you to use.

What not to use

Even if you’ve been using MS Word since you learned to read and write, it’s not the best choice for a poster presentation.

Can you do a poster presentation on Word? Sure.

Will be it easy to move objects to just where you want them, work with multimedia, adjust resolution and colors, and print out a clear and compelling poster? No, it won’t.

Word has a tendency for things to falls apart when the document structure gets too complex and with multiple elements.

It’s also designed foremost for handling text. Stick with tools like Word, MY manuscript , and Google Docs for writing your manuscripts and for increasing your publication rate . Then use one of the other recommendations above for designing your poster.

Whatever you use, print and adjust

Whatever software you use, print out your poster, pin it to the wall, and look at it from 5 or 6 meters away. It will look totally different than it did on your computer screen.

Adjust accordingly.

Examples of good posters

You’ll find different good elements in these examples.

This first one is a straight and clean design, Times New Roman font, plenty of white space, three defined columns and a reasonable amount of text. It also has photos to balance out the simplistic charts.

This next one really ups the game. The text sections are pastel blocks and contain ample text. There’s comfortable white space. But what really grabs you is that fish!

You’ll need to up your design game to match this one. Or simply hire a designer to make it pop.

Insider PhD tips on making winning research posters

Finally, some tips for your poster presentation, in no particular order.

• Before you start, check the conference info or ask the conference secretariat directly if there are guidelines.
• If want to communicate more info than you can put on the poster, print out A4- or letter-sized supplements and hand them out to people who are interested.
• Keep sponsors and names to a minimum. It’s about the science, first and foremost.
• Make sure all visual have a short legend to explain them.
• The background and text should have contrast, but watch out for color clashes. Google “color contrast checker” for ideas on good color combinations. Canva also offers many recommended pairings.
• Always take your own pins, tape, Velcro, etc.

Hope that helps. When you want to be sure your poster’s message is in superb scientific English, contact us for an edit.

To explore the publication process, including post-publication and publicizing your work, take an expert-designed course at the Edanz My Learning Lab .

RECOMMENDED COURSE: How to Give a Poster Presentation ?

RECOMMENDED COURSE: Presenting and Discussing Your Research

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75 Unique School Presentation Ideas and Topics Plus Templates

Are you tired of seeing the same PowerPoints repeating overused and unoriginal school presentation ideas covering repeated topics in your classes?

You know what I’m talking about; we’ve all been there, and sat through yawn-worthy demonstrations, slides, or presentation videos covering everything from the solar system, someone’s favorite pet, past presidents of a country, to why E=mC squared.

From grade school to university, first graders to college students, we are obligated to create, perform, and observe academic presentations across a plethora of curriculums and classes, and not all of these public speaking opportunities fall into the category of an ‘interesting topic’.

Yet, have no fear! Here at Piktochart, we are here to help you and your classmates. From giving examples of creative and even interactive presentation ideas, providing presentation videos , and suggesting interactive activities to give your five minutes of fame the ‘wow’ factor that it deserves, this article is your guide!

Our massive collection of unique school and college presentation ideas and templates applies if you’re:

• A teacher looking to make your class more engaging and fun with student presentations.
• A student who wants to impress your teacher and the rest of the class with a thought-provoking, interesting topic.

A Curated List of Interesting Topics for School Presentations

Did you know that when it comes to presentations , the more students involved improves retention? The more you know! Yet sometimes, you need a little help to get the wheels moving in your head for your next school presentation .

The great thing about these ideas and topics is you can present them either in face-to-face classes or virtual learning sessions.

Each school presentation idea or topic below also comes with a template that you can use. Create a free Piktochart account to try our presentation maker and get access to the high-quality version of the templates. You can also check out our Piktochart for Education plan .

Want to watch this blog post in video format? The video below is for you!

The templates are further divided into the following categories covering the most popular and best presentation topics. Click the links below to skip to a specific section.

• Unique science presentation topics to cultivate curiosity in class
• Engaging culture and history presentation ideas to draw inspiration from
• Health class presentation topics to help students make healthy lifestyle decisions
• Data visualization ideas to help students present an overwhelming amount of data and information into clear, engaging visuals
• First day of school activity ideas to foster classroom camaraderie
• Communication and media topics to teach students the importance of effective communication
• Topics to help students prepare for life after school

We hope this list will inspire you and help you nail your next school presentation activity.

Unique Science Presentation Topics to Cultivate Curiosity in Class

Science is a broad field and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with too many topics to choose for your next presentation.

Cultivate curiosity in the science classroom with the following unique and creative presentation ideas and topics:

1. Can life survive in space?

2. Do plants scream when they’re in pain?

3. What are the traits of successful inventors?

4. How vaccines work

5. Massive destruction of the Koala’s habitat in Australia

6. Left brain versus right brain

7. What are great sources of calcium?

8. Recycling facts you need to know

9. Do you have what it takes to be a NASA astronaut?

10. The rise of robots and AI: Should we be afraid of them?

11. How far down does the sea go?

12. The stages of sleep

13. Will Mars be our home in 2028?

14. A quick look at laboratory safety rules

15. The first person in history to break the sound barrier

Engaging Culture and History Presentation Ideas to Draw Inspiration From

History is filled with equally inspiring and terrifying stories, and there are lessons that students can learn from the events of the past. Meanwhile, interactive presentations about culture help students learn and embrace diversity. 

16. Women in history: A conversation through time

17. The sweet story of chocolate 

18. A history lesson with a twist 

19. The history of basketball 

20. The origin of the Halloween celebration 

21. AI History 

22. What you need to know about New Zealand 

23. 1883 volcanic eruption of Krakatoa 

24. Roman structures: 2000 years of strength

25. The most famous art heists in history 

26. Elmo: The story behind a child icon 

27. 10 things you should know before you visit South Korea 

28. 8 things you didn’t know about these 8 countries 

Health Class Presentation Topics to Help Students Make Healthy Lifestyle Decisions

Want to learn how to engage students with healthcare topic ideas? Then consider using these templates for your next interactive presentation.

According to the CDC , school-based health education contributes to the development of functional health knowledge among students. It also helps them adapt and maintain health-promoting behaviors throughout their lives. 

Not only will your presentation help with keeping students engaged, but you’ll also increase class involvement with the right slides.

The following examples of health and wellness interactive presentations include fun ideas and topics that are a good start. 

29. How to look after your mental health?

30. The eradication of Polio

31. How to have a healthy lifestyle 

32. 10 handwashing facts 

33. Myths and facts about depression

34. Hacks for making fresh food last longer 

35. Ways to avoid spreading the coronavirus

36. Mask protection in 5 simple steps 

37. Everything you need to know about the flu

38. All about stress: Prevention, tips, and how to cope 

39. The importance of sleep 

40. Is milk tea bad for you?

41. How to boost happiness in 10 minutes

42. How dirty are debit and credit cards 

43. Why do you need sunscreen protection

Data Visualization Ideas to Help Students Present Overwhelming Amounts of Data in Creative Ways

Data visualization is all about using visuals to make sense of data. Students need to pull the main points from their extensive research, and present them by story telling while being mindful of their classmates’ collective attention span.

As far as student assignments go, storytelling with data is a daunting task for students and teachers alike. To keep your audience interested, consider using a non linear presentation that presents key concepts in creative ways.

Inspire your class to be master data storytellers with the following data visualization ideas:

44. Are we slowly losing the Borneo rainforest?

45. Skateboard deck design over the years

46. Food waste during the Super Bowl

47. The weight of the tallest building in the world

48. Infographic about data and statistics

49. Stats about cyberbullying

50. How whales combat climate change

First Day of School Interactive Activity Ideas to Foster Whole-class-Camaraderie

Calling all teachers! Welcome your new students and start the school year with the following back-to-school creative presentation ideas and relevant templates for first-day-of-school activities.

These interactive presentations grab the attention of your students and are remarkably easy to execute (which is the main educator’s goal after all)!

51. Meet the teacher

52. Example: all about me

53. Self-introduction

54. Tips on how to focus on schoolwork

55. Course plan and schedule

Give our class schedule maker a try to access more templates for free. You can also access our presentation-maker , poster-maker , timeline-maker , and more by simply signing up .

56. Interpreting a student’s report card (for parents)

57. Introduction of classroom rules

58. Assignment schedule

59. Daily planner

60. Course syllabus presentation

61. How to write a class presentation

Topics to Teach Students the Importance of Effective Communication

Visual media  helps students retain more of the concepts  taught in the classroom. The following media topics and infographic templates can help you showcase complex concepts in a short amount of time. 

In addition, interactive presentation activities using these templates also encourage the development of a holistic learning process in the classroom because they help focus on the  three domains of learning:  cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. 

62. Interactive presentation do’s and don’ts 

63. How to create an infographic 

Recommended reading : How to Make an Infographic in 30 Minutes

64. How to improve your internet security and privacy

65. What is design thinking?

66. What are your favorite software tools to use in the classroom? 

Presentation Topic Ideas to Help Students Prepare for Life After School

One of the things that makes teaching a rewarding career is seeing your students take the learning and knowledge you’ve instilled in them, and become successful, productive adults.

From pitching a business idea to starting your podcast, the following topics are good starting points to prepare students for the challenges after graduation (aka adulting 101):

67. How to make a resume

68. How to start a startup

69. Credit card vs. debit card

70. Pros and cons of cryptocurrency

71. How to save on travel

72. How to do a SWOT analysis

73. How to pitch a business idea

74. Habits of successful people

75. Starting your own podcast: A checklist

Find out how a high school teacher like Jamie Barkin uses Piktochart to improve learning in the classroom for her students.

Pro tip: make your presentation as interactive as possible. Students have an attention span of two to three minutes per year of age. To keep minds from wandering off, include some interactive games or activities in the lesson. For example, if you conducted a lesson on the respiratory system, you could ask them to practice breathing techniques.

Maintain eye contact with your students, and you’ll get instant feedback on how interested they are in the interactive presentation.

Make School Presentation Visuals Without the Hassle of Making Them From Scratch

School presentations, when done right, can help teachers engage their classes and improve students’ education effectively by presenting information using the right presentation topic. 

If you’re pressed for time and resources to make your school presentation visuals , choose a template from Piktochart’s template gallery . Aside from the easy customization options, you can also print and download these templates to your preferred format. 

Piktochart also professional templates to create infographics , posters , brochures , reports , and more.

Creating school-focused, engaging, and interactive presentations can be tedious at first, but with a little bit of research and Piktochart’s handy templates, you’re going to do a great job!

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