Good design helps your poster clearly communicate your research and capture attention. Keep these principles in mind as you plan:
Size
- Design your poster at its final size (100%).
- Common poster sizes include 36" × 48". Confirm printing limits with the EMU DoIT Print Center.
Fonts
- Title: 72–100 pt
- Headings: 40–50 pt
- Body text: 24–32 pt
- Use sans serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Lucida Sans) for titles and headings.
- Use serif fonts (e.g., Times New Roman, Garamond) for body text.
- Limit yourself to two fonts for a cleaner design.
Layout
- Arrange text and images in columns for easier reading.
- Use headings and subheadings to break up content.
- Leave adequate white space so the poster doesn’t feel crowded.
Graphics
- Use high-resolution images (at least 300 dpi) to avoid pixelation.
- Keep graphics simple and relevant; avoid decorative images that distract from content.
- Ensure text and background colors have sufficient contrast for readability.
- Need images? Try Unsplash, Pexels, or Pixabay. See the Finding and Using Images Guide for more.
