Preliminaries:
- Before you start working, create a folder that will contain your entire project – the PowerPoint file and all files/materials used within the poster or presentation. Then if you need to move the project to another computer (ie. where you are presenting), you can move the whole folder/project and not have to worry about missing elements.
- Storyboard your project by graphing out your design on paper (get a clear mental sense of it) before you start working in PowerPoint.
Doing a Poster?
- Start with a blank slide
- IMPORTANT: if you will be printing the poster → before putting anything on the slide → set page size to the desired size:
- 48w” x 36h” is standard for academic poster.
- Get the size right first as changing the dimensions after you have added content will mess up your design resulting in more work.
- Go to the Design tab (top)
- Click Slide Size (Windows) or Page Setup (Mac)
- Enter your exact Width and Height in inches (e.g., 48 by 36)
- Click OK, then choose either Ensure Fit or Maximize
Design Elements
- Text Boxes
- Insert > Text Box (can prepare your text in Word – or another application – and copy/paste) – be aware that formatting may change
- Images (pictures, clipart)
- Insert > Picture (or copy/paste, but realize that Inserting will keep file size smaller and computer
performance faster)
- Insert > Picture (or copy/paste, but realize that Inserting will keep file size smaller and computer
- Shapes
- Insert > Shapes (click and drag to add to slide)
- Charts
- Create in Excel – or another application – and cut/paste
- Save
- File>Save
Printing:
Refer to class guidelines for submitting print requests or contact Office Services
Export as PDF (Recommended)
- File menu → Export → choose PDF
- Choose save location
- Click Export