How to DESIGN an ACADEMIC POSTER in Microsoft PowerPoint

Dr. Michael Okereke - CM Videos

20 May 202322:18

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThis video tutorial demonstrates how students can create an academic poster using PowerPoint. It follows Steven, an undergraduate student, as he prepares a poster for assessment. The tutorial covers essential specifications like poster size and font requirements, tips for design, and emphasizes avoiding large blocks of dark colors. It guides viewers through setting up the poster in PowerPoint, structuring sections such as introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion. The video highlights the importance of visuals over text and suggests using templates for efficiency. Finally, it offers advice on saving and presenting the poster effectively.

Takeaways

📐 The script provides a step-by-step guide on creating an academic poster using PowerPoint, a commonly used software among students.
🎓 The example student, Steven, is tasked with creating an A1 size poster in portrait mode for a conference presentation, adhering to specific guidelines provided by the event organizers.
📈 The poster should primarily consist of visual elements like diagrams and images, with a recommended 60% images to 40% text ratio for clarity and readability.
🔍 A minimum font size of 28 points is suggested for legibility, especially considering that viewers may be standing a meter away from the poster.
📝 The script emphasizes the importance of white space to prevent color imbalance and enhance the poster's overall legibility.
📑 It is recommended to start with a text file in Microsoft Word outlining the key points to be included in the poster for organization and clarity.
🖼️ High-resolution images should be used to ensure quality when the poster is printed, as they are crucial for conveying information visually.
📑 The poster should be structured with sections including an introduction, aims and objectives, methodology, results, and conclusion, possibly using bullet points for clarity.
🔖 Sequential numbering or arrows can guide the viewer through the poster in a logical order, from introduction to conclusion.
📚 Academic posters typically include references to cited work, although the script notes that they may not always be essential for initial discussions at a poster session.
🎨 The use of color and graphical elements is encouraged to make the poster visually appealing and to aid in discussion with the audience.

Q & A

What is the purpose of creating an academic poster as described in the script?
-The purpose of creating an academic poster is to present and discuss one's work at conferences, family project interviews, or industry talks where the presenter wants to visually communicate their research or project findings.
What are the poster size specifications mentioned in the script for Stephen's project?
-The poster size specified is A1, which means the width should be 60 cm and the height should be 84 cm.
What is the required orientation for the poster design as per the script?
-The required orientation for the poster design is portrait mode, not landscape.
What font size restriction is imposed by the organizers for Stephen's poster?
-The organizers have restricted the font size to approximately 28 points Arial.
What are some of the key elements that should be included in an academic poster according to the script?
-Key elements to include in an academic poster are an introduction or motivation, aims and objectives, methodology, results, and a conclusion.
Why is it important to have a lot of white space on the poster as suggested in the script?
-Having a lot of white space on the poster is important to prevent color imbalance and to enhance legibility, especially when avoiding large blocks of solid dark colors like black.
What is the recommended ratio of images to text in an academic poster as per the script?
-The recommended ratio is 60% images to 40% text or even less text, as images are more effective in conveying information quickly and are easier for viewers to digest at a glance.
How should the text size be considered when designing a poster for a large audience?
-The text size should be considered in terms of visibility from a distance, typically at least 28 points, to ensure that the text is legible even when standing about one meter away from the poster.
What is the recommended way to structure the content on a poster according to the script?
-The content should be structured in a sequential manner, starting with an introduction, followed by methodology, results, and ending with a conclusion. Using numbered sections or arrows can help guide the reader through the poster.
Why is it suggested to use bullet points in the poster presentation of text?
-Bullet points are suggested to help condense thoughts and present information concisely, making it easier for viewers to grasp key points quickly during discussions.
What is the significance of using high-resolution images in a poster as mentioned in the script?
-High-resolution images are essential for posters to ensure that when printed, the images look clear and professional for the audience, maintaining the visual appeal and effectiveness of the poster.

Outlines

00:00

🎓 Creating Academic Posters with PowerPoint

As a student, you might need to create academic posters for conferences or presentations. This guide will show you how to make an academic poster using PowerPoint, a common software among students. We follow Steven, an undergraduate, who needs to create a poster for his assessors. Key specifications include an A1 size (60cm x 84cm), portrait orientation, and a font size of 28 points in Arial. We'll also explore using provided templates and offer tips for effective design, such as avoiding large blocks of dark colors, ensuring text legibility from a distance, and using high-resolution images.

05:01

📏 Specifications and Layout Considerations

Steven's poster must meet specific requirements: A1 size, portrait orientation, and 28-point Arial font. The video emphasizes the importance of white spaces for readability and recommends using bullet points and numbering sections for clarity. Diagrams and images should be high-resolution to enhance the visual appeal. The poster should include an introduction, methodology, key results, and a conclusion, with 60% of the content being images. The video advises starting with a Word document to organize the content before transferring it to PowerPoint.

10:03

📝 Planning and Organizing Poster Content

The video walks through the process of creating the poster layout in PowerPoint. Start with a blank document and change the slide size to A1. Arrange the poster content in sections: heading, introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion. Use the design tab to adjust slide size and orientation, and create text boxes for each section. Maintain a consistent font size and style. Utilize shapes and colors to differentiate sections and improve visual hierarchy. The video also highlights the importance of using existing templates provided by institutions when available.

15:04

📊 Adding Text and Images

The video demonstrates how to add text and images to the poster. Copy the prepared text from a Word document and paste it into the PowerPoint template, ensuring it adheres to the 28-point font size requirement. Use special paste options to maintain formatting. For images, use the 'enhanced metafile' format for better quality. Adjust image sizes to fit the layout and ensure they are appropriately placed next to relevant text sections. This section also includes advice on balancing text and images, emphasizing the need for clear and concise visual communication.

20:06

🖼️ Finalizing the Poster Design

The final steps involve fine-tuning the layout and ensuring all elements are correctly positioned. Steven's poster includes sections for background, aims, methodology, results, and a conclusion. Each section should be clearly defined with adequate spacing and alignment. The video suggests using grid lines to help with alignment and positioning. The poster should be visually appealing and easy to read from a distance. Finally, the video mentions adding additional elements like sponsor logos and references if required, to complete the academic poster.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Academic Poster

An academic poster is a visual representation of research or project work, typically used for presentations at conferences or other academic events. In the video, the creation of an academic poster is the central theme, with the script detailing the process of designing such a poster in PowerPoint and the importance of including key elements like methodology, results, and conclusions.

💡PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a widely used presentation software that allows users to create visual aids, including academic posters. The script demonstrates how to use PowerPoint to design an A1 size poster, emphasizing the software's features such as custom slide sizes and the use of shapes and text boxes to structure the poster content.

💡A1 Poster Size

The A1 poster size is a standard dimension for academic posters, measuring 60 cm in width and 84 cm in height. The script specifies this size as a requirement for the poster Stephen needs to create, highlighting the importance of adhering to specific dimensions when designing for presentation purposes.

💡Portrait Mode

Portrait mode refers to the orientation of a page or image where the height is greater than the width. The script mentions that the poster design must be in portrait mode, which is a common orientation for posters to allow for vertical reading and presentation.

💡Font Size

Font size is a critical aspect of poster design, ensuring readability from a distance. The script specifies a minimum font size of 28 points for the poster, which is crucial for maintaining legibility and making the poster accessible to viewers who may be standing a meter away.

💡Legibility

Legibility refers to the ease with which text can be read and understood. The script emphasizes the importance of avoiding large blocks of solid dark colors to ensure that the poster remains legible, with ample white space to prevent color imbalance and maintain visual clarity.

💡Visual Instrument

A visual instrument, in the context of the video, refers to the poster's role as a tool for communication and discussion of the project. The script suggests that posters should contain well-designed diagrams or images to serve as visual instruments, which are more effective than lengthy text for conveying information quickly.

💡Bullet Points

Bullet points are used in the script as a method to condense information and present it in a clear, concise manner. They are recommended for use in the poster to help with the presentation of text, making it easier for viewers to digest the information at a glance.

💡Sequential Manner

Presenting information in a sequential manner means arranging it in a logical order, typically from introduction to conclusion. The script advises numbering or using arrows to indicate the flow of information on the poster, ensuring that the viewer can follow the presenter's thought process easily.

💡Graphic Artistry

Graphic artistry refers to the creative and aesthetic elements used in the design of the poster. The script mentions the importance of using graphic artistry to showcase the work effectively, emphasizing the visual appeal of the poster and its role in engaging the audience.

💡Methodology

Methodology in an academic context refers to the systematic approach used in a study or project. The script discusses the necessity of including a methodology section in the poster, outlining the steps or processes used in the research, which is essential for understanding the foundation of the project's results.

Highlights

Creating an academic poster using PowerPoint for conferences or presentations.

Following specifications for A1 poster size, portrait mode, and 28pt Arial font.

Avoiding large blocks of solid dark color to improve legibility and using white space.

Considering text size for readability from a distance of one meter away.

Using high-resolution images and diagrams for visual impact.

Structuring the poster with an introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion.

Using bullet points to condense thoughts and aid in poster discussion.

Numbering or using arrows to guide the reader through the poster sections.

Including references to academically credit the work of others.

Creating a text file in Microsoft Word to outline the poster content.

Using a flowchart to visually present the methodology in numerical studies.

Balancing 60% images and 40% text for an engaging poster layout.

Customizing the PowerPoint slide size to A1 and portrait orientation.

Using shapes and text boxes to create a columnar arrangement for the poster.

Incorporating the university or institution's branding on the poster.

Adding key results and simulation outcomes with corresponding images.

Structuring the poster with boxes to help readers focus on specific sections.

Including a conclusion that summarizes the project's findings and implications.

Considering adding sponsor logos or references if applicable.

Using PowerPoint to create an academic poster with essential features like aims, methodology, and results.

Transcripts

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