Phone: 616-331-8100
Integrative Learning
ssd@gvsu.edu

181 Lake Ontario Hall
1 Campus Drive
Allendale, MI 49401
SSD Poster Presentation Guidelines
 
Poster presentations are frequently used to convey information in a brief format. These presentations have become popular in classroom settings, at conferences, and at workshops. Designing an effective poster presentation is an art unto itself.
           
Included below are a collection of guidelines and tips for preparing and delivering your poster presentation during Student Scholarship Day. It is crucial that the following guidelines are followed closely to avoid any problems on the day of the event. Additional information can be found on the SSD Home page.
 
            Summary of Contents:
o   Updated Presenter Information
o   Poster Guidelines and Tips
o   Printing Tips
o   Example Posters
o   The Day of the Event
o   Need more Help?
 
Updated Presenter Information:
 Before the day of the event, April 8th, 2009, it is crucial that you check assigned location and time of presentation. Those students that signed up for the poster session at 8 AM will find their assigned time revised to another time after 9 AM. This move was made to allow for increased set-up time.
           
You can access current presenter information from the SSD homepage.
 
Poster Guidelines:
 You should adhere to the following guidelines…
 
·         Posters cannot be larger than 3 feet in height by 4 feet wide (36” x 48”)
·         Posters must be self-contained on a single sheet
·         You may print your poster on a single piece of paper or mount it on a single sheet of poster board.
·         Poster tacks, clips, or Velcro strips will be provided to affix your poster on the day of the event.
·         Poster must be set up by 8:30 AM on the day of the event and must be taken down by 6:00 PM.
·         Be sure to pick up your poster at the end of the event.
 
Guidelines Continued…
There are several different ways to prepare a poster presentation. Each academic discipline will have its own set of standards that you should follow. Contact you faculty mentor to ensure that you are following the correct format.
           
 The following elements will help your viewers follow the content in your poster.
 
  • Use white spaces to separate different poster sections and group related information by color or in the same box.
  • A large title should be placed at the very top of the poster.
  • Use figures and pictures to tell your story.
  • Minimize the amount of text and use a large enough font for viewers to read your poster from 6 feet away. Ideally you should use less than 800 words and avoid large blocks of text.
  • Organize material in a logical progression.
  • ·         Clearly state your working hypothesis and include important data and conclusions.
  • A powerpoint template and additional poster resources have been provided on the SSD website to help you prepare www.gvsu.edu/ssd (found under “Preparing Presentations” “Poster Presentations”)
  • Start early and revise your poster often. Work with your faculty member through several rough drafts before finalizing your poster.
  • Practice your presentation as you work through your revisions to ensure that you have included all of the necessary information.
  • Look at other posters from your discipline.
Printing Tips:
These tips are for using the plotter. Please note that the plotter has been moved from Henry Hall and into Manitou. The cost to use the plotter is $25.00 which covers the cost of two prints. This cost most be paid by each presenter or faculty mentor (or the department). If you are paying out of pocket you need to pay at the cashier in Student Services. If you are paying by IDC, you can take the paper work directly to the IT helpdesk in MAN. Also note that the plotter will be unavailable on Saturday and Sunday since the computer lab will be closed.
 
·         In the MAN computer lab, there is one computer that controls the plotter. Keep this in mind as it will be tough to cue several posters at one time.
·         At the poster printer computer, login with the activated credentials (normal ID/Password)
·         You should print a test page on printer CP3525 using the “Scale to fit” option to make sure your poster prints without any issues. If you are satisfied with this printing then proceed to the plotter printing below.
·         To print the poster on the plotter select DJ4000 from the print menu. Select  “properties” and select the “Scale to fit” option under paper options section. Then submit your poster for printing.
Example Posters:
Each academic discipline has its own standards and expectations for poster design. Be sure to contact your faculty mentor about the expected design and format for your particular discipline.
           
There are many places around campus where representative posters are displayed. Consult the following locations for examples.
 
·         Field House (Movement Science)
·         Padnos Hall, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors (Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Physics, Geology, and Chemistry)
·         AuSable Hall (1st floor – Geography, 2nd floor – Psychology)
·         Makinac Hall (1st floor – Statistics, 2nd floor – Statistics and Computer Science)
The Day of the Event:
On the day of the event you will need to arrive early and get your poster displayed. All posters must be in place by 8:30 AM. You will need either clips, tacks or Velcro strips to hang your poster (depending upon location). These will be provided for you. Several faculty members will be on hand if you need any assistance in locating your poster location or obtaining clips/tacks. You should also make arrangements to have your poster removed by 6 PM.
           
You will need to be available to discuss your poster during the one hour time block you were assigned when you registered. Be sure to double check this time prior to the day of the event. During this hour you will discuss your poster with participants and answer any questions that the viewers may have regarding your project. Consider the following tips for this presentation.
 
·         Dress professionally.
·         Stand next to your poster so viewers can easily identify its author.
·         Establish eye contact to let them know you are eager to answer their questions.
·         Prepare a short statement to walk the viewers through your figures to discuss your project.
·         Be prepared to briefly discuss your hypothesis, point out your work, address key pieces of data, and summarize your conclusions.
·         Point to specific parts of your poster as you explain your project.
·         Speak to the viewers, not your poster.
·         Keep in mind that you likely know much more about your project then the viewers. Don’t assume knowledge on their part.
 
Before or after your assigned time check out as many poster as you can. It is often helpful to visit several posters before your presentation time to see how the other students are presenting their work.
Need more Help?
If you need additional assistance or tips in preparing your poster presentation beyond the scope of this document, the following faculty may be able to help you.
 
      Dr. Matthew E. Hart (chemistry) hartm@gvsu.edu
      Dr. Felix Ngassa (chemistry) ngassaf@gvsu.edu
 

 
  Last Modified Date: April 6, 2009
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