A Guide to Putting Together Educational Posters

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A Guide toPutting TogetherEducational Posters
By

• Ken Costello

and
John Weide
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They teach something in the least amount of time
and without a teacher.
They are more convenient than any other
presentation format, especially for multiple
presentations.
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They are more convenient than using
transparencies
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Slide projector replacement?
or slide projectors
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or computer projection systems.
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They can show the general flow of a topic and
details at the same time.
One poster is equivalent to about15 pages from a
textbook or 30 PowerPoint slides
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Disadvantage

• The audience is usually walking by, so the poster
  must be able to grab and hold their attention.
  This is like reaching viewers who are flipping
  through TV channels or surfing through Web sites.
  You have little time to catch their attention.

What do you do?
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The 3x4x5 rule

• 1) First Impression Stage 3 seconds
• 2) Easy to See Stage 3x412 seconds
• 3) Easy to Navigate Stage 3x4x560 sec
• 4) Sense of Enlightenment Stage 3 min

Use
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1) First Impression Stage

• You have 3 seconds to grab the viewers
  attention.
• Getting attention the first 3 seconds depends
  mostly on the visual appeal of the poster.
• Colors, drawings, shapes, and overall design are
  quick to notice.
• A catchy title is also useful.

VISUAL APPEAL NOT SEX APPEAL
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Catchy Titles
Catchy Title Phrases that have double meanings
are useful in making a more interesting title.
For example, Pesticides Last (meaning either
pesticides do not decompose, or pesticides should
be used last) A common technique used by
magazines is word matching. For example, Global
Warming The Debate Heats Up. A use of
contrasting ideas is also catchy. For example,
Healthy Chemicals Kill or Fluorocarbons Up Ozone
Down.

• If successful, they will give you 4 times that
  time (3 x 412 seconds). Otherwise, they will
  walk on to the next poster.

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This poster had a good first impression because
of the unusual surface texture. However, on
readability and navigation it was poor.
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This poster had a good first impression because
of the bright colors and shape. However, the
text was too small and handwriting was sloppy.
Their mascot might be a bit in bad taste.
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This poster had a good first impression because
of the 3-D nature of the decorations and the
bright colors.
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This had an attention-getting title.
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2) Easy to See Stage

• The next 12 seconds depends on the poster being
  readable and recognizable.
• You have gotten the viewers interest but now
  they want to easily read and interpret the text
  and images (from 5 feet). If using technical
  terms, be sure to quickly define them.
• Viewers do not want to put much effort in getting
  your message. If they have to strain to see it
  or understand it, they move on to the next
  poster.
• If they are satisfied with these two things for
  12 seconds, you will get their attention for 1
  minute (3 x 4 x 5 seconds).

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Even though the text seems small in this photo of
the poster, they were easy to read on the poster
itself.
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Do you think text was readable?
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Do you think text was readable?
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3) Easy to Navigate Stage

• The viewers will now want to follow the flow of
  the poster.
• During this minute, it should be easy for them to
  know where to begin and where to go next.
• If navigation is good and they stay interested
  for 1 minute, the 3x4x5 rule starts over. They
  will stay for 3 more minutes (3 x 1 min), which
  should be enough to complete the poster.

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Numbers and arrows provide clear navigation.
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Do these arrows help?
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Hows the navigation?
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4) Sense of Enlightenment Stage

• Conclusion The poster should lead to a
  conclusion, climax, or solution. The viewers
  will hopefully agree with this conclusion and
  want to learn more.
• Tell them what to do Most posters are trying to
  solve problems that require many people to
  participate. If this is your type of poster, be
  sure to tell them what to do that will help.
• Follow-up The poster should also have
  information on how to find out more about the
  topic. In other words, give a contact person, a
  Web site, or organization name.

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For follow-up this poster provides a pocket with
brochures that contain more information.
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The 3-4-5 rule
The 3x4x5 rule
To Catch and Hold Attention

• 1) First Impression Stage 3 seconds
• 2) Easy to See Stage 3x412 seconds
• 3) Easy to Navigate Stage 3x4x560 sec
• 4) Sense of Enlightenment Stage 3 min

Use
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Ideas for Enhancing Educational Posters

• Color / Shapes/ Textures
• Construction tips
• Attention getters

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WHAT COLORS TO USE?
Because our sun produces more yellow light than
any other color, our eyes have evolved to be more
sensitive to yellow.
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WHAT COLORS TO USE?
Fluorescent colors capture some of the
ultraviolet light and convert it to visible
light, making the colors brighter than
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WHAT COLORS TO USE?
Psychology of Colors
Warm ColorsCheery, Feminine, Creative
Cool ColorsSerious, Calm
Danger, important
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WHAT COLORS TO USE?
Contrast with Complimentary Color
Red
Yellow
Purple
Green
Blue
Turquoise
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WHAT COLORS TO USE?
Contrast with Dark Background
Red
Yellow
Purple
Green
Blue
Turquoise
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WHAT COLORS TO USE?
Contrast with Light Background
Red
Yellow
Purple
Green
Blue
Turquoise
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WHAT COLORS TO USE?
Analogous Colors
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The fluorescent colors stand out much more than
regular colors.
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WHAT SHAPES TO USE?
Avoid rectanglesThey look like typing paper
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WHAT SHAPES TO USE?
Even the shape of the edges can be made more
interesting
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The shape of this poster reinforced the topic of
the poster, which was pollution from nuclear
power.
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TEXTURES
Contact paper Gift wrap Specialty paper
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CONSTRUCTION TIPS
Dos and Don'ts

• Use professional looking lettering
• Computer printing
• Stick-on letters
• Stencils
• For color use color paper, color printing, or
  spray paint
• Plan the layout
• Use paper cutter
• Use thick paper or backing
• Foam core

• Dont use handwriting
• Computer Handwriting
• Dont use crayons for coloring.
• Dont cut without guides
• Dont draw without guides unless you are an artist

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PowerPoint
Use Drawing tools in Word or PowerPoint to print
arrows and other shapes that you want to use
Amoeba
ENERGY
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ATTENTION GETTERS
3-D
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3-D

• Items that project from the surface of the poster
• Foam rubber cut-outs
• Styrofoam
• Plaster cloth

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This poster used a 3-d greenhouse.
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This poster about pesticides is in the shape of
an insecticide spray can.
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Students were creative in making this
police-style outline of a person who succumbed to
nuclear radiation. Here the 3-D went beyond the
poster.
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A 3-D winter scene was part of this poster that
talked about the ozone holes near Earths poles.
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This poster was about 10 feet wide and used many
3-d elements.
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A SouthPark character had a real fishing pole and
a real fishing lure attached.
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ATTENTION GETTERS
MOVEMENT

• Clock mechanism
• LED lights

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Ideas for Enhancing Educational Posters
Summary

• Color / Shapes/ Textures
• Construction tips
• Attention getters
• 3D
• Movement
• Smell?

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The 3x4x5 rule

• 1) First Impression Stage 3 seconds
• 2) Easy to See Stage 3x412 seconds
• 3) Easy to Navigate Stage 3x4x560 sec
• 4) Sense of Enlightenment Stage 3 min

Use
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Take Pride in Your Work
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A Guide toPutting TogetherEducational Posters
Thank you for your interest
By

• Ken Costello

and
John Weide
www.mc.maricopa.edu/costello/posters/
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For slideshow of tips on making educational
posters, visit http//www.mc.maricopa.edu/c
ostello/posters/
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