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Creating an Academic Research Poster

What is an Academic Research Poster?

An Academic Research poster is a tool used by researchers to help present their findings and conclusions in a concise easy-to-read format. These types of posters are often used during conferences, academic showcases, and other events where research is being discussed. 

 

MSOE is currently developing a poster template, as soon as that is released we will update this guide.

If you would like to design a poster from scratch, this guide will walk you through the process. When creating a poster ALWAYS check the submission instructions! 

Steps for formatting your poster in different programs:

Steps for PowerPoint:

  • Open PowerPoint and create a new slide deck
  • Click the Design Tab
  • In the Design tab ribbon, locate the "Slide Size" section and open the dialog box
  • Choose "Custom slide size"
    • Find the "Slides Sized for" section 
    • Select "Custom"
    • Enter the Width 
    • Enter the Height 
    • Check to make sure the slide is in the correct orientation layout. 
  • Click OK
  • Your poster slide is now correctly formatted

Steps for Canva:

  • IMPORTANT TO NOTE: If you are using the free version of Canva - you will not be able to size the slide before you begin. You will need to download the slide as a PowerPoint slide and edit the size as noted above. If you have the upgraded subscription to Canva you can proceed as follows: 
  • Create a new "Presentation" 
  • In the top left hand corner select: Resize 
    • In the drop down menu, under Browse by Category, Select "Custom Size"
    • Change the Units to Inches 
    • Add the appropriate height and width 
    • Click apply - your slide is now correctly sized 

Steps for Adobe InDesign:

  • Create a new document
    • a dialog box will prompt you to enter in your dimensions 
    • Adjust the Units of the dimensions to Inches
      • enter in the appropriate height and width 
    • Consider the Margins, Bleed, and Slug tabs
      • Adjust the margins to 0 unless you have a plan for using the margins in your poster. 
      • Bleed shows the printer where to trim white space that occurs when printing. If you are printing your poster, include at least a 0.25 inch bleed on each side; do not place anything within the Bleed as it may be cut off. 
      • Slug is for the creator to add notes to the printer - set this to 0 inches unless you require notes. 
    • Select Create - your poster will now be formatted correctly. 

Steps for Google Slides

  • Open your Google Docs  - select New - Slides
  • Under the File tab 
    • select Page Setup
      • Choose Custom from the dropdown menu
      • Enter the appropriate height and width 
      • Click apply - you are now properly formatted in Google Slides

If you have suggestions for how to make this page better, please contact Elizabeth Jerow, Library Director (jerow@msoe.edu).