A common way to create a poster is using PowerPoint, which will be introduced here. However, if you are familiar with any other software and would like to use it, feel free to do so.
When making the poster, the first thing that you should always do is to make sure that you have the correct aspect ratio of your poster. You can do that by going to File > Page Setup, select 'Custom' in the 'Slides sized for' option, and put down the actual height and width of your poster.
Keep in mind that this should always be the first step. Do not size your poster after you are already done with the content because that will mess up the format of your poster.
You can also ask your research mentor whether he/she has a template that he/she would like you to use, since some research groups have their preferred way of presenting results.
Students can print posters at the Computing Center at Cox Hall at the library or work with Emory Document Services. See their websites linked below for more information about how to print your poster.
Emory Student Center is no longer offering poster printing services at the Welcome Desk.
Poster basics with examples of a well versus poorly designed poster.
Poster PowerPoint templates.
Tips on content and some "do's and don't’s" of poster design.
Steps of poster-making process.
If you have received funding for your project from Undergraduate Research Programs, you must acknowledge the contribution by including our logo on your poster.
Pick a color scheme and use it consistently for your poster.
Obtain permission from your mentor before you print your poster. They may want to check that the research is accurately represented or that sensitive information is not displayed.
If your poster has multiple authors, make sure you know the correct order to list the authors and get final approval from all co-authors before you print it out. Different disciplines and even individual labs have their own standards for ordering authors, so don’t assume that you know the correct order.