Layout of conference posters
Layout of conference posters is an art. What appears at poster sessions usually doesn't come with an attractive and original layout, on the contrary, such collection of posters looks often extremely boring. A poster with a fresh look can really stand out and get attention. After nearly 30 years of making posters I know the tricks of the trade. Most posters suffer from a surfeit of data, which is detrimental for such a volatile medium. Drop that heavy table, that long block of text or complex figure, and stick to the essence of your message. A visually appropriate eyecatcher can do miracles. I create an original arrangement of text and illustrations in a balanced composition, with a splash of color here and there. Each poster has its own, unique layout.
- Text: supply your text in doc or ppt, with a minimum of formatting. One A4 sheet of text is more than enough to fill a poster. Divide your text in Title/Authors/Affiliation, Introduction/Background/Aim, Material & Methods/Patients, Results, Discussion/Conclusion, References. I perform a spelling check.
- Figures and tables: they should show the right message at a glance. At the same time they are often the main tool to attract readers in a poster session. I make them according to your source data, tables and graphs preferably in a spreadsheet, for photographs the source file. Provide a short table title and figure caption.
Examples (click on the thumbnail to open the pdf)
Correlatie tussen bio-elektrische impedantie-analyse en spierechografie van de biceps brachii bij gezonde personen
(atypical layout, use of color)
When mother nature takes your breath away
(alignment, use of color, asymmetry)
Concurrent chemoradiation or radiotherapy with anti-EGFR directed monoclonal antibody or CCRT + anti-EGFR in locoregionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a comprehensive review of randomized data
(how to present a large table)
A curious case of thoracal pain
( with a remarkable eye-catcher)
Copingvaardigheden bij jonge meisjes met anorexia
nervosa: de eerste resultaten van een Vlaamse studie
(alignment, use of color)
