Exhibit Your Thesis competition

Poster Design Guidelines

Poster Design Guidelines

• Craft your poster to succinctly communicate the core message of your research.

• Make it visually engaging to capture the attention of both colleagues and non-experts. 

• Interactive elements may be incorporated into your posters. Examples include, but are not limited to; moveable components such as (lift up flap, directional wheel, objects which can be taken out of a pocket or folder located on the poster), audio button, QR code, Use of different communication methods to make the poster accessible to specific groups e.g. Braille.

- Interactive components must be able to be attached to your poster. You will be asked to attach it to your poster at the exhibition stage. 

- The location of interactive elements must be clearly visible when you submit your entry. 

• Your poster will need to function for being viewed in a physical exhibition space.  

• Avoid re-using conference posters; instead, tailor or create a new one for a broader audience, specifically a non-academic audience!

All applications will be reviewed and 12 posters will be selected, exhibited and put forward for judging.

What the judges are looking for

Visual Clarity and Coherence: 

The content should be easy to read and understand, whilst maintaining a logical flow of information. 

Engagement: 

Posters should spark interest and encourage discussion. Engagement may be achieved visually and through the use of interactive elements that encourage meaningful interaction with the research.

Structure: 

Posters should follow a clear structure that communicates your research objectives, findings and the value of your research.

Contextualisation: 

Ability to place your research within a broader context, suitable for both experts and non-experts. 

Format and submission

• Number of poster entries: Only one poster per person can be submitted.

• File format: Posters must be submitted in high resolution PDF format, using either portrait or landscape orientation

• Poster Size: Please submit your poster as A0 size (841mm x 1189mm)

• UC Logo: All entries must include a visual UC Logo.  This can be incorporated as best suits your poster design, but should follow UC guidelines of use. You can choose to utilise an alternative UC Logo associated with your research area or department, however the associated guidelines of use must be followed. 

• Images: It is your responsibility to ensure that any images used in your poster are not copyrighted.

• Interactive elements: When posters are submitted you should clearly indicate where you intend to add an interactive component.  

Exhibit Your Thesis Workshop: Designing a Research Poster

• View workshop presentation pdf

UC Logo and Guidelines

Steps to designing an award-winning poster

Additional resources to help make your poster more accessible: 

Accessible design for print - Ministry of Social Development

Contrast Checker | Pick Color Online

Guidelines for producing clear print - Round table on information access for people with print disabilities