Poster

Final Exam/Project Poster Presentation - Software Visualization

For the Final Exam/Project Presentation a poster presentation of each project is required. Each individual or group must construct a poster describing the results of the research project. During the day of the final all posters will be displayed and presented. A short talk must also be given for each poster. Talks should be no more then 10 minutes (plus question/answer session).

Posters should be no larger then 30" X 36" (i.e., nine 8.5" X 11" pages arranged 3X3). The best solution is to create one large slide in Power Point (or similar tool) and have it printed in media services. However, this is not required but is good practice for doing a conference poster. The posters will be arranged on the blackboards of the class room (276) with tape or magnets.

Below are some suggestions for making an effective research poster presentation. It is adapted from an article by Lorrie Faith Cranor in ACM Crossroads, Volume 3, Number 2 (see http://www.acm.org/crossroads/xrds3-2/posters.html)

Content

Include a clear and succinct statement of the problem, phrased for the intelligent layperson.
Give a brief summary of the results, perhaps as a bulleted list.
Another bulleted list could highlight the significance of the results.
Don't present the entire project or article.
Tailor the presentation to the audience.

How much will the reader understand?
Does the reader have a background in computer science?
In your general area of computer science? (e.g., networks)
In your specific problem? (e.g., algorithms to measure throughput)

Aim for the reader to understand the important points of your project after three minutes of unassisted reading.
Use diagrams, graphs, and pictures in place of words.

Graphical Design

Use color consistently.

Not more than four different colors.
Dark color such as black or deep blue for your main text.
Bright color such as red or magenta for important text.
Contrasting color for headings and bullets.
Make entire elements stand out or identify them as part of a group by filling them with a light-colored background or surrounding them with a brightly colored border distinguish each section of your poster (for example, problem, background, approach, and results) or to indicate the importance of each item.

Indicate information flow.

Left to right.
Top to bottom.
Center out.
Use arrows or ribbons.

Present a coherent whole in an inviting manner.
Use boxes and groups of boxes. Remember "chunking."
Use large fonts (>= 30pts). The reader should be able to stand 1 meter from the board and read the poster.