By Michelle
Riedlinger
Designing good posters can look easy and, for some, it is! This
is because good designers keep in mind the four essential
elements:
1.
A simple key message, or a title grouping the key
messages.
2.
A good layout – channels interest through the page.
3.
Pictures, simplified diagrams and models effectively.
4.
Colour, sparingly used, is a very useful visual cue.
Like the message, the layout should be easy to navigate:
1.
Keep the visual cues (e.g. highlighted boxes, coloured
coding headings or information, arrows) to a minimum – use the
sequencing of elements to get your points across.
2.
Try using shapes and colour to guide the viewer through,
remember a block of text is also a shape. Keep white spaces
between elements consistent.
3.
Visual full stops (e.g. token pictures) distract the
viewer from the message.
4.
“Space adds spice” – white space directs the eye to the
key images, while allowing the design to “breathe”.
Here are some of our pointers for poster design:
1.
Technical aspects of poster production are equally as
important as good design – make sure you and your printer are
compatible.
2.
Do a few quick drawings of your ideas before you start on
the computer.
3.
Show other people your design, and ask their opinions.
Don’t take it personally, they’ll often see things you don’t
after working on it so closely.
4.
Consider your total area, not just your poster – what
will be displayed near your poster? What height will it be hung
at? How long will people have to view it?
5.
Keep text to a bare minimum. Are there other ways to get
across your information? (K.I.S.S. principle) Use photographs
and diagrams.
6.
Find one clear element to attract viewers, e.g. title,
colour, image.
7.
Consider text hierarchy and viewer navigation… try to
keep viewers engaged, not confused.
8.
Design principles for posters and display are different
to those for books and the web – do some homework! Go and look
at other posters and see what works for you.
9.
Print it out, then turn it upside down. If it still looks
balanced, it is!
10.
Spend time on it. If you’re getting frustrated, walk
away. Come back later or the next morning. |
