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Northeast Universities Development Consortium Conference
Dickey Center for International Understanding 
6048  Haldeman Center
Dartmouth College 
Hanover, NH 03755-3529
Phone: (603) 646-2023
Fax: (603) 646-2168
Email: neudc.2012@Dartmouth.EDU
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Guidelines for Posters

 

General Information

Posters for the NEUDC 2012 poster session will be displayed and discussed in a casual atmosphere during dinner.
Size should not exceed 4' by 6'. Poster material should not be more that 1/4 inch in thickness. Foam core and poster paper are both acceptable.  

These are the only requirements, but the below are suggestions on how to have a successful poster session.

Content

Include title, authors, author affiliations, email or other address, a description of the methods used, and conclusions. References and acknowledgements may also be included.
Select only the most pertinent data to report on the poster.
Bring handouts that include the abstract and any supplementary information.

Text

All text should be legible at a distance of 3 to 4 feet. Use at least a 24-point type size for the main text. The title type should be at least 1.5 inches high.
The title should be kept as short as possible so that it can be read quickly.
Use upper and lower case type throughout the poster. ALL UPPER CASE TYPE IS MORE DIFFICULT TO READ.
Serif fonts (such as Times) are generally easier to read in the body of the text. Sans serif fonts (such as Arial or Tahoma) are best used in titles, headings, and captions for emphasis.
Print all text using a laser printer.
Use bold and/or italics for emphasis.
Graphics and Illustrations
The poster is a visual format. Use plenty of graphical elements.
Keep graphics as simple as possible. More complex data can be presented in a handout.
Photographs should be enlarged to be discernible at a distance of 3 feet and printed with a matte finish (to reduce glare). They are more effective when used sparingly.
Do not use hand drawings.

Layout

Keep at least a 1-inch margin on all sides.
The main body of the poster should be between waist and shoulder height. The title, authors and author affiliations should be higher.
Paragraphs should be no longer than 10-20 lines long. Break up longer sections of text with graphics or bulleted lists.
Arrows can be used to guide the reader's eye from one section to another.
Use blank space to avoid a cluttered look, and to separate the elements of your poster.

Color

Use color to emphasize elements and draw attention to your poster, but don't use too many different colors. Using colored borders can increase the poster's visual appeal.
Text should be printed on a contrasting background (dark text on a light background, or light text on a dark background).
Avoid harsh colors, such as neons.
Presentation

 

Arrive 15-20 minutes before the session is scheduled to begin to give yourself enough time to set up the poster.
Stay at your poster board for the entire session so attendees have a chance to talk with you about your work.

Last Updated: 4/12/12