How to make a scientific poster using Microsoft Powerpoint

Dave Larsen
3 Apr 201719:19
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRDr. Larsson's video script offers a step-by-step guide on creating a scientific poster using Microsoft PowerPoint. The tutorial covers setting up the poster size, adding graphics and maps, and organizing content into sections like background, methods, results, and discussion. It emphasizes the importance of clear, readable text and visually appealing elements, and concludes with saving the poster as a PDF for printing, suggesting a cost-effective printing solution at the university library.

Takeaways
  • 😀 Dr. Larsson is teaching how to create a scientific poster using Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • 📐 The preferred poster size is 36 by 36 inches, which is manageable by the Syracuse University Library's plotter.
  • 📈 Emphasis is placed on graphics and visuals as they are more engaging than text-heavy content.
  • 📝 The presenter prefers to use PowerPoint due to its accessibility and familiarity, despite some challenges.
  • 📑 Guidelines and rulers are used to structure the poster layout, adhering to the rule of thirds.
  • 🔑 The top third of the poster is dedicated to title, subtitle, author list, and affiliations.
  • 📈 The middle sections are for the research content, divided into background, methods, results, and discussion.
  • 🗺 Maps and figures are created outside of PowerPoint, in programs like Quantum GIS and Microsoft Word, then inserted into the poster.
  • 📊 Tables can be made directly in PowerPoint and should match the text font size for consistency.
  • 🖨️ The final poster is saved as a PDF for printing at the library's plotter, costing approximately $15.
  • 📧 Assistance is offered for troubleshooting poster creation, emphasizing community support for researchers.
Q & A

  • Who is the speaker in the video script?

    -The speaker is Dr. Larsson.

  • What is the main topic of the video script?

    -The main topic is teaching how to create a scientific poster for abstracts or for communication and dissemination of scientific work.

  • What software does Dr. Larsson recommend for creating a scientific poster?

    -Dr. Larsson recommends using Microsoft PowerPoint to create the poster.

  • What are the dimensions of the poster that Dr. Larsson is recreating?

    -The dimensions of the poster being recreated are 36 by 36 inches.

  • Why does Dr. Larsson prefer to use graphics in his posters?

    -Dr. Larsson prefers graphics because he likes to look at pictures more than reading text and believes it makes the poster more visually appealing.

  • What is the cost for printing a poster at Syracuse University Library using a plotter?

    -The cost for printing a poster at Syracuse University Library using a plotter is about $15.

  • What is the significance of the 'rule of thirds' in poster design as mentioned by Dr. Larsson?

    -The 'rule of thirds' is a design principle where an image or poster is divided into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, to create a balanced and visually appealing layout.

  • What is the recommended font size for the title of the poster according to the script?

    -The recommended font size for the title of the poster is 100, rounded off from the original size of 104 used in the example.

  • How does Dr. Larsson suggest organizing the content of the poster?

    -Dr. Larsson suggests organizing the content into sections such as background, methods, results, and discussion, with results possibly taking up more space due to the emphasis on figures.

  • What program were the maps used in the poster created in?

    -The maps used in the poster were created in Quantum GIS, an open-source geographic information system.

  • How should the figures and tables be formatted in the poster according to Dr. Larsson?

    -Figures and tables should be formatted with a border and a caption, and the text size should be readable from a distance, with a suggested size of 28 for the text in figures and tables.

  • What is the final step before printing the poster according to the script?

    -The final step before printing the poster is to save it as a PDF file.

Outlines
00:00
📐 Introduction to Creating a Scientific Poster

Dr. Larsson introduces a tutorial on crafting a scientific poster for abstracts or communication of research. The video will recreate elements of a poster presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. The focus is on heavy use of graphics and maps, as visual elements are preferred over text. The chosen software for the task is Microsoft PowerPoint, due to its accessibility and familiarity, despite some of its nuances. The process begins with setting up a new presentation with custom poster size dimensions, adhering to the limitations of the printer at Syracuse University Library.

05:06
🖼️ Designing the Poster Layout and Content Structure

The tutorial continues with designing the poster layout in PowerPoint. Dr. Larsson explains the importance of adhering to the rule of thirds and setting up guidelines for a balanced composition. The top third of the poster is dedicated to identifying information such as the poster title, subtitle, author list, and affiliations. The content is then divided into background, methods, results, and discussion sections, with an emphasis on visually presenting results due to the nature of the conference and the preference for figures over text. The speaker also discusses the placement of logos and the use of white space around the poster edges.

10:09
📝 Incorporating Text and Visual Elements into the Poster

In this section, Dr. Larsson details the process of adding text and visual elements to the poster. The text boxes are formatted with different font sizes to distinguish between the title, subtitle, author list, and background information. Bullet points are used for clarity, and adjustments are made to ensure readability from a distance. Figures and tables, created outside of PowerPoint, are inserted and formatted to fit within the poster's design. The speaker also underlines the importance of proper alignment and the use of captions for figures to enhance understanding.

15:10
🖨️ Finalizing and Printing the Poster

The final part of the tutorial covers the steps to finalize the poster for printing. Dr. Larsson demonstrates how to save the poster as a PDF, which is necessary for high-quality printing at the library using a plotter. The speaker mentions the cost associated with printing and the available poster sizes, emphasizing the need to keep one dimension at 36 inches or smaller. The tutorial concludes with an offer of assistance for any poster-making inquiries and well-wishes for the viewers' research endeavors.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Scientific Poster
A scientific poster is a visual display used to present research findings at conferences or other academic events. It typically includes text, images, graphs, and tables to convey complex information in a concise and visually appealing manner. In the video, Dr. Larsson is teaching how to create a scientific poster, emphasizing the importance of graphics and readability.
💡American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and practice in the field of tropical medicine and global health. The video mentions a poster presented at an ASTMH event, indicating the context in which the poster was created and its relevance to the field of tropical medicine.
💡Graphics
Graphics in the context of a scientific poster refer to visual elements such as images, charts, and maps that help illustrate the research findings. Dr. Larsson prefers posters with a heavy emphasis on graphics as they are more engaging and easier to understand at a glance, which is evident in the poster he is recreating.
💡Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint is a widely used presentation software that can also be utilized for creating scientific posters. In the video, Dr. Larsson demonstrates how to use PowerPoint to design a poster, highlighting its accessibility and ease of use for those familiar with the software.
💡Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds is a fundamental principle in visual composition that divides an image into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. Dr. Larsson applies this rule in the poster design to create a balanced layout, placing key elements at the intersections or along these lines.
💡Identifying Information
Identifying information on a scientific poster includes the title, subtitle, author list, and affiliations. This information is crucial for providing context and credit to the research. In the video, Dr. Larsson places this information in the top third of the poster, ensuring it is easily visible and accessible.
💡Background
In the context of a scientific poster, the background section provides an overview of the research topic, setting the stage for the methods, results, and discussion. Dr. Larsson includes this section in the first column of the poster, using bullet points to outline the essential background information.
💡Methods
The methods section of a scientific poster describes the procedures used in the research, detailing how the study was conducted. In the video, Dr. Larsson discusses the surveillance system used in the study, emphasizing the importance of clearly explaining the methodology to the audience.
💡Results
Results in a scientific poster present the findings of the research, often through graphs, tables, or text summaries. Dr. Larsson allocates a significant portion of the poster to the results, indicating their importance in conveying the outcomes of the study.
💡Discussion
The discussion section of a scientific poster interprets the results, explaining their significance and implications. In the video, Dr. Larsson includes a discussion of the next steps and how the research is progressing, demonstrating how to reflect on the findings and their broader impact.
💡Plotter
A plotter is a large-format printing device capable of printing documents up to several feet wide. In the video, Dr. Larsson mentions using a plotter at the Syracuse University Library to print the poster, highlighting the practical aspects of poster production and the need for high-quality printing.
Highlights

Dr. Larsson is teaching how to make a scientific poster for abstracts or communication of scientific work.

The poster presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene is heavy on graphics and visuals.

Microsoft PowerPoint is the chosen software for creating the poster due to its accessibility and familiarity.

The poster size is set to 36 by 36 inches, adhering to the printer's maximum width at Syracuse University Library.

Guidelines are used to follow the rule of thirds and organize the poster layout effectively.

The poster title 'Who can afford GPS points' is emphasized with a large font size for visibility.

Subtitles and author information are placed in the top third of the poster for easy identification.

Content is divided into background, methods, results, and discussion sections for clarity.

Graphics, maps, and tables are essential elements of the poster, made using external software like Quantum GIS and Microsoft Word.

Figures and tables are inserted into the poster to support the research findings and methods.

Inclusion of institutional logos promotes the organizations involved in the research.

The poster emphasizes results with figures and discussions to attract attention and convey information.

Text size is adjusted to ensure readability from a distance, with 28-point font being a good balance.

White space is utilized to improve readability and the overall aesthetic of the poster.

The final poster is saved as a PDF for high-quality printing at the library's plotter.

The cost for printing a 36-inch wide poster at the Syracuse University Library is approximately $15.

Dr. Larsson offers assistance for troubleshooting poster-making issues and encourages reaching out for help.

Transcripts

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Scientific PosterPowerPoint TutorialGraphics DesignResearch PresentationTropical MedicineHygiene SocietyGIS MappingWater AccessZambia Case StudyConference Display