Just a website update for those who care about scientific posters: added two Powerpoint templates with portrait-style orientation. The one on the left is for people who love columns. But I like a big space for results so that you can show off the big finding, so I prefer the one on the right. I call that big space the “Results arena.” But the disadvantage of the one on the right is that your conclusions are moved down low, and taller viewers have to bend their necks a tad to read it. But if your results stand nicely on their own, it can work well. Both versions, like all my templates, nudge you to put logos at the bottom (ideally, delete them altogether … you don’t need logos). Find the downloadable PPT files in my Designing conference posters page.
Category Archives: Graphic design
More on placement of logos on scientific posters
Here is one way to add logos to your poster, if you must. Click on image to see it large. See previous post for how not to do it. Full details at “Designing conference posters.”
Logos on conference posters
One of my many pet peeves about conference posters is the placement of logos at the top, a practice encouraged by almost all templates on the internet, by mentors who think it’s really cool, and of course by the funding institutions, colleges/universities, and conference organizers who want to see their logos featured. Logos at the top are bad because (1) titles are squished and (2) the charts, illustrations, and photographs have trouble competing visually. Here’s an example:
If you absolutely must include a logo on a poster, corral them into a small area at the bottom of the poster, like this:

Please share this post with anyone who might be at heightened risk for logo abuse. If you want more tips on poster design, please see my Designing conference posters page.


