TRI SCIENCE POSTER TEMPLATES

This section contains links to templates for use when creating science posters for TRI related projects.

> Click here for the folder of all poster templates

Generally, posters are designed in Powerpoint which is a program built to create presentation slides on a digital screen. Powerpoint doesn't allow a lot of flexibility with large scale print files. Programs such as InDesign are made for poster style formatting, however this software isn't available to all poster creators. In an attempt to offer you useful tools to improve your poster creation, we've created these templates in the cloud based drawing program, Google Drawing. 

Google Drawing

Google offers a variety of cloud based programs to create documents, spreadsheets and drawings. The Google Drawing program is free, and available to use for anyone with a free Google/Gmail account. Files can then be saved in the cloud, to your Google drive, and edited from any computer with internet access. You can collaborate with other members of your team by sharing the document with full editing rights.

Below is a step by step guide to using the templates linked to the right. 

> Read more about Google Drawing at Google

how to create YOUR POSTER

Step 1 - Select the template from the links at the right of this page & open the page. 

Step 2 - Go to the 'file' menu and select 'make a copy'. This will then ask you to save a copy of the document to your Google Drive.  

Step 3 - You will be given the option to rename the file when you make the copy, or you can select the title of your version of the file by clicking on it. A box will appear where you can change the name. Close the original template so you don't confuse it with your version. 

Step 4 - You can now edit the document and add your content into the appropriate sections. 

• Editing text
  • Click on an existing text box to edit the text
  • Click the 'T' icon on the toolbar to draw a new text box  
  • Use the handles at the bottom and corners of the box to adjust the size of the text box
  • To adjust the size of the text, use the font size drop down from the toolbar
     
• Adding images
  • Click the image icon on the toolbar
  • Browse your computer to find the file & upload following the prompts
  • To edit the size of your picture, use the handles on the corners to resize to scale or the handles on the top or sides to stretch
     
• Groups of elements
  • To select groups of layout elements, use the arrow tool to draw a box around all of the elements you want to select.
  • You can group these elements by right clicking and selecting 'group' from the menu or keys ctrl/G. This will allow you to move these elements as a single block while still editing the text.
  • To ungroup, right click and select 'ungroup' or keys shift/ctrl/G. 
     
• Saving & Printing
  • ​The document will autosave every few minutes to your Google drive
  • To print a proof, print directly from the document using the file menu
  • To save a PDF, click the 'file' menu and select 'download as --> PDF'
  • Take this PDF file to your large format printer for final poster printing
     
• Page size
  • These templates are set to A0 size
  • To resize the template click the 'file' menu and select 'page setup'
  • Use the preset scales or enter a custom size in CM
     
• Ordering Elements
  • ​Boxes should sit behind text but if a box you created is on top of the text, right click and select 'order --> send to back' from the menu
     
• Background Colour
  • ​Right click on the page and select 'background 'from the menu
  • Select a colour from the pallette. TRI Orange and Grey will be saved in the document if you work from a saved version of the templates. 

General Design Tips for Technical Posters

• To duplicate elements, select them, copy them and paste them into an empty space
   
• Sort your elements first. How many images do you have? How many words? Now treat these like a jigsaw puzzle & move them around until they fit
   
• Group elements & use consistent styles for similar elements. Eg all main headings should be exactly the same size, colour and font to indicate they are main headings. All sub headings should be slightly smaller than main headings, paragraph text the same size and image captions the same size and font style. 
   
• Heirarchy & flow of content is important. Title, sub title or description sit at the top of the page. The introduction comes next, then findings followed by a conclusion. The most important information should stand out the most. 
   
• Evenly space & align all objects. White space between images, headings, to the edge of the page etc should be the same & all elements should line up with other elements in that section. This alignment gives a clean, professional feel to a finished poster. 
   
• Separate diagrams and other elements from each other with dividing lines, boxes or backgrounds for clarity. Or consider leaving an exclusion zone around the graphic (white space) if borders don't work for you.
   
• White space is not necessarily a bad thing. Often white space acts like a border, highlighting an element by giving it an exclusion zone. If you don't have enough room, consider reducing font and image sizes.
   
• Don't like any of the templates? Use the elements file and create your own which suits your content. 

Got questions?

> If you need assistance with Google Drawing in general, please use the help menu. 

> If you have general questions about technical posters, please discuss with your supervisor

> If you have specific questions about these templates please contact [email protected]

> If you have made your own template and would like to share it with others for use on this page, please email it to [email protected]