Course: The Art of Effective Scientific Communication

Design an Interesting Professional Poster

Engineers and scientists are often encouraged to attend conferences to learn new information, and to share the results of their research. At these conferences, poster presentations are a standard means for communication.

Where else do we see posters? Often we will find them prominently displayed in research laboratories or in the hallways or forays around labs. They also serve as communication tools to prospective students, visiting scholars and other visiting professionals.

However, a poster has limited space, meaning that the words and images it contains must be well crafted and strategically placed. Posters must be visually appealing, while still communicating important findings. In this lesson we will consider what it takes to use this format for effectively sharing information and allow you to create your own final product!

Begin by reading the material that guides you through creating your presentation. Look at the examples and reflect on what you like and what applies to your work. Then start to create your very own presentation. Try new things. Experiment! And in the end, find what works well for your personal style (but always keep in mind your audience!).