Research Poster Presentation

Photos and illustrations

Using photos or illustrations on your poster can help convey an important point, break up blocks of text, and add visual appeal. Before adding an image, there are a couple things to keep in mind. First, make sure that the image you use relates to your research. Second, think about image ownership. If the picture you plan to include is one that you have taken, then you are fine to include it without a second thought. However, if you want to include an image created by someone else, it is in your best interest to seek permission to reuse the photo. The reason you would want to seek permission for reuse is because all photographs automatically receive copyright protections the moment they are taken. Do not assume that any photo you find on Google or another search engine is safe for you to use. In fact, assume the opposite is true and operate as if any photo you find online is covered by full copyright protections. If you reuse a copyrighted photo without the permission of the copyright holder, you are infringing on the copyright holder's rights and you could be sued for copyright infringement. 

Your best bet is to find a work that has been licensed for reuse. You can learn more about reuse licenses by watching the video on this page. All the images you find through the links in the resources box below are licensed for varying types of reuse. 

Graphs and charts

The number one thing to keep in mind if you include a graph or chart on your poster is that it is clear at a glance how it pertains to your research. Label all elements and make sure the size of those labels is large enough to be read easily by your audience. Do not assume that your audience will spend the time trying to figure out elements that are unlabeled or too small to read easily—odds are good that they will simply walk away.

Look at the pie charts below. The first is unlabeled and the font is too small. What is this pie chart measuring? How big is the sample size? The second is labeled, but the font is still too small. All the elements are there, but will visitors even attempt to read it? The third is just right. All the elements are there, and they are large enough to read easily.

Unlabeled pie chart with text that is too small

Labeled pie chart with text that is too small

Labeled pie chart with appropriately sized text

Illustrations

Photographs