I like the white background too! I haven't implemented any changes to this yet, but I really like your points. As for the unlabelled axis - I realised my error post-printing #rookiefail. :-)
Regarding flow - I think you're right to encourage a systematic and consistent flow in a poster, and for this one I can see that it could be rearranged. However, I think that this is less important for poster sessions where the author/designer plans to stand at the poster the whole time and give a walk through for each and every observer. This is, in fact, the norm at psychology conferences, and so the trick is to make sure that you can guide your audience through the poster effectively (a skill that should really have its own dedicated blog too!). Granted, this is probably easier when the flow is more systematic as you point out, but it's not essential. Luckily for me, this also means that I can clarify things like error bars and axis labels too - although I shall be avoiding these mistakes in the future.
All defensiveness aside, it's been very helpful to get constructive feedback on this. My colleagues all really liked this poster, and I can tell you that it was one of the clearer designs at the conference (what does that say about the rest!), but the attention to detail is eye-opening, and I think will really make a difference in my future designs! I shall send one along when I have it.
I'm glad you found some of the suggestions useful.
You're right that the reading order is less critical when someone is acting as a tour guide. And it's also true people interested enough to take the time to read it will be able to make out the path without too much difficulty. But a consistent design will generally be a stronger design.
I do write about the verbal part of a poster presentation here on the blog, although not as much as the graphics. It's easier to show examples of graphics than of the interplay between the presenter and audience.
Great changes! I love the white background.
ReplyDeletekatiesci
I like the white background too! I haven't implemented any changes to this yet, but I really like your points. As for the unlabelled axis - I realised my error post-printing #rookiefail. :-)
ReplyDeleteRegarding flow - I think you're right to encourage a systematic and consistent flow in a poster, and for this one I can see that it could be rearranged. However, I think that this is less important for poster sessions where the author/designer plans to stand at the poster the whole time and give a walk through for each and every observer. This is, in fact, the norm at psychology conferences, and so the trick is to make sure that you can guide your audience through the poster effectively (a skill that should really have its own dedicated blog too!). Granted, this is probably easier when the flow is more systematic as you point out, but it's not essential. Luckily for me, this also means that I can clarify things like error bars and axis labels too - although I shall be avoiding these mistakes in the future.
All defensiveness aside, it's been very helpful to get constructive feedback on this. My colleagues all really liked this poster, and I can tell you that it was one of the clearer designs at the conference (what does that say about the rest!), but the attention to detail is eye-opening, and I think will really make a difference in my future designs! I shall send one along when I have it.
I'm glad you found some of the suggestions useful.
ReplyDeleteYou're right that the reading order is less critical when someone is acting as a tour guide. And it's also true people interested enough to take the time to read it will be able to make out the path without too much difficulty. But a consistent design will generally be a stronger design.
I do write about the verbal part of a poster presentation here on the blog, although not as much as the graphics. It's easier to show examples of graphics than of the interplay between the presenter and audience.