POSTER ARTICLES

Is the topic and its treatment appropriate for a poster?

Excessive quantities of facts and particularly subtle arguments tend not to be appreciated, especially if the author is not immediately available to act as guide.

Arrange the material in a logical sequence, and make sure the poster is self-contained if it will be on display in the author's absence. It is helpful to start with a concise introduction and end with brief conclusions particularly when the participants have an overwhelming choice competing for their attention.

Use of colour can be very helpful both in maximizing the clarity of diagrams and in making the poster attractive.

The title should be bold and informative, of course. It is a good idea to design and position the title panel last. A striking effect can be obtained from an awkward remaining space.

Photographs can be useful in making contact at large international gatherings. When posters are on show for extended periods, indicate when the authors will be in attendance.

If you would like people to have a permanent record, have handouts available, either from the author or in a folder attached to the poster board.

Artistic considerations favour the minimum of textual and tabular material, but scientific considerations generally demand several paragraphs of text and one or more tables of results. Be as succinct as possible, but not to the point of incomprehensibility.

Photographic enlargement of typescript improves legibility of reading, though some typefaces look rather unattractive when magnified. (However, they still look infinitely better than the handwriting of 99 per cent of the scientific population.)

These are to be preferred over text and tables wherever possible. Obviously it is a great help to have the assistance of someone with an aptitude for technical drawings but in these days of stencils, expanding and reducing Xerox machines, and computer graphics even the hamfisted scientist can produce neat and attractive illustrative material.