The Continuing Evolution of the Scientific Poster

Tamar Schlekat, SETAC

Over the last decade, the scientific poster format evolved dramatically. With the advent of technology innovations and more recently AI, we should expect even more changes.

In mid 2019, Mike Morrison, frustrated with the traditional science poster, had just started an effort that quickly drew media attention as a “Gaphic Design Revolution for Scientific Conference Posters.” Morrison’s main recommendations were to showcase the conclusion boldly in the middle of the poster, use the side bars for supporting information and data, and refer the poster viewer to supplemental material online through a QR code. The idea challenged conference goers to think critically about their poster design. Many SETAC meeting attendees took up the challenge and used some of Morrison’s ideas.

By early 2020 though, the community had to quickly evolve once again as presenters had to adapt to building virtual posters, designed to be viewed on a screen. A few industrious individuals tried the “enhanced” virtual poster design that the SETAC meeting platform accommodated. These were simply PDFs with the option to zoom into specific content, and many presenters chose to narrate their poster in accompanying short videos or audio files. 

Now, the hybrid conference format brings new opportunities and challenges to poster presenters. Presenters are expected to accommodate both, virtual and in-person posters. The presenter can surely upload a PDF of the printed poster online and call it a day; however they could choose to optimize each version for the format, and prepare an enhanced poster for online viewing and create a print design that is optimized for an in-person audience, who views a poster from several feet away.

We took lesson learnt from this progression and summarized some tips:

• For the printed poster, keep it simple and reference online content for details. The QR code could reference the material you uploaded online.
• If the meeting offers a virtual component, consider more than a PDF of the printed poster. Maybe upload a short presentation (~max 6 narrated slides) and attach a PDF with detailed information, if you wish.
• For both formats, keep accessibility best practices in mind.

Tips for your printed poster:

• Feel free to make use of the SETAC poster PowerPoint templates for the upcoming SETAC 9th World Congress (see the Presenter Guidelines for instructions) and SETAC North America 46th Meeting (see the Presenter Guidelines for instructions).
• Keep your poster simple and embrace white space, especially around individual elements, to guide the eye. White space reduces clutter and acts as a visual pause that helps readers focus.
• Put the conclusion at the top where it can be easily read in a crowded poster hall.
• Include pictures, infographics and a graphical abstract for visual interest.
• Be clear and concise in all statements; avoid long narratives and make use of lists that are easier to scan.
• Minimize the number of fonts used, choose a color scheme, and resist the temptation to overload the poster with data tables.
• For more tips, see “How to design an effective scientific poster.”

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