A poster crammed with text does the opposite of what a poster is for. It makes people read instead of talk to you — and the conversation is the whole point of a poster session.
Design for a passer-by
- The main finding readable from three metres away.
- Two or three figures, large.
- Text in short blocks, not paragraphs.
- Plenty of empty space.
- If someone can absorb your point in fifteen seconds, they will stop.
Prepare three versions of your pitch
- Thirty seconds: the finding and why it matters.
- Two minutes: plus method and one figure.
- Five minutes: the full story with caveats.
- Ask which they want: would you like the short version?
During the session
- Stand beside the poster, not in front of it.
- Greet people who slow down rather than waiting to be approached.
- Ask what they work on — it turns a monologue into a conversation.
Bring supporting material
- A small stack of handouts or a way to share the paper.
- A notebook for names and ideas.
- Note down every suggestion you receive; posters generate good ones.
Posters are underrated
- You get more real conversation than a talk gives you.
- Feedback arrives while the work can still change.
- Senior researchers often circulate poster sessions deliberately.
One thing worth remembering
Ask visitors what they work on before launching into your own explanation.
It turns a recited monologue into an actual conversation, it tells you which version of your pitch to give, and it is how a poster session turns into a collaboration rather than a series of polite nods.
Câu hỏi thường gặp
Why is a text-heavy poster a problem?
It makes people read instead of talk to you, and the conversation is the whole point of a poster session.
How should a poster be designed?
Main finding readable from three metres, two or three large figures, text in short blocks, and plenty of empty space.
What versions of your pitch should you prepare?
Thirty seconds with the finding and why it matters, two minutes adding method and one figure, and five minutes with the full story and caveats.
What should you do during the session?
Stand beside the poster, greet people who slow down rather than waiting, and ask what they work on.
Why are posters underrated?
They generate more real conversation than a talk, feedback arrives while the work can still change, and senior researchers often circulate deliberately.
