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What is a Research Poster?

A hand-drawn image of a conference hall where researchers are presenting in front of large posters. Attendees are gathered in small groups, engaging in discussions with the presenters. The posters are neatly arranged in rows, filled with charts, graphs, and images, creating an academic and professional atmosphere.

(Image generated by DALL-E, 2024-10-09: Researchers present their findings in an engaging, visual format during a lively academic poster session, fostering interactive discussions and knowledge sharing.)

Purpose:

  • Summarizes research findings concisely and engagingly.
  • Communicates results clearly to an audience, often at conferences.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Why it's done:

  • Serves as a stand-alone communication tool and conversation starter.
  • Attracts attention and encourages interaction between presenters and attendees.
  • Provides enough detail to explain key points while promoting discussion.
  • Offers a more informal, interactive way to share research compared to oral presentations.

Visual medium:

  • Must be visually appealing to draw attention.
  • Effective use of images, graphs, and minimal text is essential to communicate the message.

Example

(Source: Via Southwestern Community College)

Guidelines

General Poster Design Guidelines:

  • Organize content into clear sections (intro, methods, results, conclusion).
  • Keep text minimal, focusing on essential points and key findings.
  • Guide the reader's flow using headers or numbered sections.
  • Use simple, high-contrast colour schemes for better readability.
  • Limit colours to 2-3 to avoid distraction and maintain balance.
  • Ensure font sizes are large enough (36-44pt for headings, 24-28pt for body text).
  • Make the design visually engaging without being overwhelming.

Common Layouts

 

(Source: Poster Nerd)

Resource:

Student Examples

 

Squinting lady

(Image by Robin Higgins from Pixabay)

Font and Size Considerations:

  • Use common, readable fonts like Arial, Helvetica, or Times New Roman.
  • Suggested font sizes: 90pt for titles, 60pt for headings, 36pt for body text.
  • Ensure font consistency across the poster for a professional appearance.

3D Infographics

(Image by almariel1 from Pixabay)

Visual Elements:

  • Prioritize visuals like high-quality charts, graphs, and images.
  • Use visuals to represent data and simplify complex information.
  • Flowcharts can help illustrate processes effectively.
  • Ensure all visuals are labeled and support the main message.
  • Use copyright-friendly images from legal sources like Wikimedia Commons or Flickr Creative Commons.
  • All images should be high-resolution to maintain clarity

Student Examples

Finding Openly Licensed Images

To enhance your research poster or presentation with high-quality visuals, it's important to use openly licensed images that you can legally incorporate into your work. Here are some great platforms to find such images:

Finding Icons for Your Project

When designing posters, presentations, or digital projects, icons can be a great way to add visual clarity and professionalism. Here are some excellent sources for free, high-quality icons:

  • Google Material Design (Google Icons):
    A comprehensive collection of icons designed by Google, perfect for adding a clean, modern touch to your projects. These icons are available under an open license and can be used in a variety of settings.

  • Phosphor Icons:
    A flexible and open-source icon library that offers a wide range of styles and customizable options. Phosphor Icons are ideal for students looking for creative and adaptable icons for any project.

  • Open Source Icon Collection (Iconshock Free Icons):
    Iconshock offers a large collection of open-source icons that are free to use. With a wide range of categories, these icons can enhance the visual appeal of your work while remaining simple and professional.

Tools and Resources:

  • Use tools like PowerPoint, Canva, and Google Slides for poster creation.
  • For more advanced options, consider Adobe InDesign or Microsoft Publisher.
  • Leverage online colour selection tools like Colormind or Coolors to create harmonious colour palettes.
  • Utilize templates to maintain consistency and streamline the design process.

For creating posters for the MRU Library Immersion Studio, see the following guide

(Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

Poster Presentation Tips:

  • Be prepared to summarize your research in a concise and clear manner.
  • Use visuals to support your key points during presentations.
  • Practice your delivery to ensure clarity and engagement with the audience.
  • Aim to engage viewers with key takeaways and a professional, polished design

Jackson, B. (n.d.). Academic Posters. Mount Royal University Library.

Mount Royal University Library. (n.d.). Research Posters. Mount Royal University. https://library.mtroyal.ca/undergradresearch/posters

University of Toronto Libraries. (2024). Research Posters: Creation, Design, & Best Practices. University of Toronto Libraries. https://guides.library.utoronto.ca/c.php?g=250934&p=1672361

Yale University Library. (2024). Academic Poster Resources. Yale University. https://guides.library.yale.edu/academic-poster-resources

Purdue OWL. (2024). Research Posters Overview. Purdue University. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/research_posters/research_poster_overview.html

McDayter, M. (n.d.). Design Tips for Creating an Arts and Humanities Poster.

Krom, S. (2021). Poster Tips for Humanities Conference Posters.