Academic Research Poster Design

This guide has information on how to design and write a poster for presenting research in a class, conference, or other "academic" setting. 

Already ready to print? Check out the Digital Resource Center website for file specifications and steps to get your poster printed. 

Read the poster/presentation guidelines for the relevant conference or event before preparing your poster!

Some conferences specify how a poster should look, what it should include, and how to set it up. Others are flexible. Some conferences, like IEEE, provide presenters with a template to use.

Once you have identified any requirements and specifications for your poster, you can start designing.

Size your poster appropriately before you start designing!!!

Set up your file to be the correct size so you don't have to scale or rearrange your poster later!

For posters printed in the Digital Resource Center (DRC), at least one dimension must be less than 42".

If you need some inspiration for your design, are having trouble getting started, or want to evaluate your poster, check out these resources:

• Better Posters (examples of good posters)

• Evaluation Rubric for Design of Academic Posters (sample evaluation rubric)

• Academic Poster Planning Worksheet (planning worksheet)

Have questions about writing, designing, or printing? Don't struggle, reach out for help! Students interested in poster support can book a meeting with a librarian to:

• Narrow down research topic ideas
• Find background information
• Save time getting started with your research
• Use the library’s collections as well as worldwide and web resources
• Choose databases for discipline-focused research
• Learn more efficient searching methods

To make an appointment, reach out to a subject librarian specializing in your topic.