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skills/latex-posters/references/poster_layout_design.md
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skills/latex-posters/references/poster_layout_design.md
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# Poster Layout and Design Guide
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## Overview
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Effective poster layout organizes content for maximum impact and comprehension. This guide covers grid systems, spatial organization, visual flow, and layout patterns for research posters.
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## Grid Systems and Column Layouts
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### Common Grid Patterns
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#### 1. Two-Column Layout
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**Characteristics**:
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- Simple, traditional structure
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- Easy to design and execute
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- Clear narrative flow
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- Good for text-heavy content
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- Best for A1 size or smaller
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**Content Organization**:
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```
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+-------------------------+
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| Title/Header |
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+-------------------------+
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| Column 1 | Column 2 |
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| | |
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| Intro | Results |
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| | |
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| Methods | Discussion |
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| | |
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| | Conclusions |
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+-------------------------+
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| References/Contact |
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+-------------------------+
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```
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**LaTeX Implementation (beamerposter)**:
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```latex
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\begin{columns}[t]
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\begin{column}{.48\linewidth}
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\begin{block}{Introduction}
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% Content
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\end{block}
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\begin{block}{Methods}
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% Content
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\end{block}
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\end{column}
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\begin{column}{.48\linewidth}
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\begin{block}{Results}
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% Content
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\end{block}
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\begin{block}{Conclusions}
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% Content
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\end{block}
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\end{column}
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\end{columns}
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```
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**Best For**:
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- Small posters (A1, A2)
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- Narrative-heavy content
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- Simple comparisons (before/after, control/treatment)
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- Linear storytelling
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**Limitations**:
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- Limited space for multiple results
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- Can appear basic or dated
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- Less visual variety
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#### 2. Three-Column Layout (Most Popular)
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**Characteristics**:
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- Balanced, professional appearance
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- Optimal for A0 posters
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- Versatile content distribution
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- Natural visual rhythm
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- Industry standard
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**Content Organization**:
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```
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+--------------------------------+
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| Title/Header |
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+--------------------------------+
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| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3|
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| | | |
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| Intro | Results | Results |
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| | (Fig 1) | (Fig 2) |
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| Methods | | |
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| | Results | Discuss |
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| Methods | (Fig 3) | |
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| (cont.) | | Concl. |
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+--------------------------------+
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| Acknowledgments/Refs |
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+--------------------------------+
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```
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**LaTeX Implementation (tikzposter)**:
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```latex
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\begin{columns}
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\column{0.33}
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\block{Introduction}{...}
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\block{Methods}{...}
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\column{0.33}
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\block{Results Part 1}{...}
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\block{Results Part 2}{...}
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\column{0.33}
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\block{Results Part 3}{...}
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\block{Discussion}{...}
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\block{Conclusions}{...}
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\end{columns}
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```
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**Best For**:
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- Standard A0 conference posters
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- Multiple results/figures (4-6)
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- Balanced content distribution
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- Professional academic presentations
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**Strengths**:
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- Visual balance and symmetry
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- Adequate space for text and figures
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- Clear section delineation
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- Easy to scan left-to-right
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#### 3. Four-Column Layout
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**Characteristics**:
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- Information-dense
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- Modern, structured appearance
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- Best for large posters (>A0)
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- Requires careful design
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- More complex to balance
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**Content Organization**:
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```
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+----------------------------------------+
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| Title/Header |
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+----------------------------------------+
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| Col 1 | Col 2 | Col 3 | Col 4 |
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| | | | |
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| Intro | Method | Results | Results |
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| | (Flow) | (Fig 1) | (Fig 3) |
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| Motiv. | | | |
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| | Method | Results | Discuss. |
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| Hypoth.| (Stats)| (Fig 2) | |
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| | | | Concl. |
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+----------------------------------------+
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| References/Contact |
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+----------------------------------------+
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```
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**LaTeX Implementation (baposter)**:
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```latex
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\begin{poster}{columns=4, colspacing=1em, ...}
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\headerbox{Intro}{name=intro, column=0, row=0}{...}
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\headerbox{Methods}{name=methods, column=1, row=0}{...}
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\headerbox{Results 1}{name=res1, column=2, row=0}{...}
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\headerbox{Results 2}{name=res2, column=3, row=0}{...}
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% Continue with below=... for stacking
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\end{poster}
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```
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**Best For**:
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- Large format posters (48×72")
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- Data-heavy presentations
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- Comparison studies (multiple conditions)
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- Engineering/technical posters
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**Challenges**:
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- Can appear crowded
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- Requires more white space management
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- Harder to achieve visual balance
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- Risk of overwhelming viewers
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#### 4. Asymmetric Layouts
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**Characteristics**:
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- Dynamic, modern appearance
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- Flexible content arrangement
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- Emphasizes hierarchy
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- Requires design expertise
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- Best for creative fields
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**Example Pattern**:
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```
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+--------------------------------+
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| Title/Header |
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+--------------------------------+
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| Wide Column | Narrow Column |
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| (66%) | (33%) |
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| | |
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| Intro + | Key |
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| Methods | Figure |
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| (narrative) | (emphasized) |
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| | |
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+--------------------------------+
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| Results (spanning full width) |
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+--------------------------------+
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| Discussion | Conclusions |
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| (50%) | (50%) |
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+--------------------------------+
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```
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**LaTeX Implementation (tikzposter)**:
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```latex
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\begin{columns}
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\column{0.65}
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\block{Introduction and Methods}{
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% Combined narrative section
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}
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\column{0.35}
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\block{}{
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% Key figure with minimal text
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\includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{key-figure.pdf}
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}
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\end{columns}
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\block[width=1.0\linewidth]{Results}{
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% Full-width results section
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}
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```
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**Best For**:
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- Design-oriented conferences
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- Single key finding with supporting content
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- Modern, non-traditional fields
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- Experienced poster designers
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### Grid Alignment Principles
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**Baseline Grid**:
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- Establish invisible horizontal lines
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- Align all text blocks to grid
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- Typical spacing: 5mm or 10mm increments
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- Creates visual rhythm and professionalism
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**Column Grid**:
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- Divide width into equal units (12, 16, or 24 units common)
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- Elements span multiple units
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- Allows flexible but structured layouts
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**Example 12-Column Grid**:
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```
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| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |10 |11 |12 |
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|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
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| Block spanning 6 units| Block spanning 6 units|
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| Block spanning 12 units |
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| 4 units | 8 units (emphasized) |
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```
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**LaTeX Grid Helper**:
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```latex
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% Debug grid overlay (remove for final version)
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\usepackage{tikz}
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\AddToShipoutPictureBG{
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\begin{tikzpicture}[remember picture, overlay]
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\draw[help lines, step=5cm, very thin, gray!30]
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(current page.south west) grid (current page.north east);
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\end{tikzpicture}
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}
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```
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## Visual Flow and Reading Patterns
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### Z-Pattern (Landscape Posters)
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Viewers' eyes naturally follow a Z-shape on landscape layouts:
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```
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START → → → → → → → → → → → → → → TOP RIGHT
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↓ ↓
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↓ ↓
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MIDDLE LEFT → → → → → → → → → MIDDLE RIGHT
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↓ ↓
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↓ ↓
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BOTTOM LEFT → → → → → → → → → → → → END
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```
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**Design Strategy**:
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1. **Top-left**: Title and introduction (entry point)
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2. **Top-right**: Institution logo, QR code
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3. **Center**: Key result or main figure
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4. **Bottom-right**: Conclusions and contact (exit point)
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**Content Placement**:
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- Critical information at corners and center
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- Support information along diagonal paths
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- Use arrows or visual cues to reinforce flow
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### F-Pattern (Portrait Posters)
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Portrait posters follow F-shaped eye movement:
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```
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TITLE → → → → → → → → → → → →
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↓
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INTRO → → → →
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↓
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METHODS
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↓
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RESULTS → → →
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↓
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RESULTS (cont.)
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↓
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DISCUSSION
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↓
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CONCLUSIONS → → → → → → → → →
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```
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**Design Strategy**:
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1. Place engaging content at top-left
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2. Use section headers to create horizontal scan points
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3. Most important figures in upper-middle area
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4. Conclusions visible without scrolling (if digital) or from distance
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### Gutenberg Diagram
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Classic newspaper layout principle:
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```
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+------------------+------------------+
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| PRIMARY AREA | STRONG FALLOW |
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| (most attention) | (moderate attn) |
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| ↓ | ↓ |
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+------------------+------------------+
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| WEAK FALLOW | TERMINAL AREA |
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| (least attention)| (final resting) |
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| | ↑ |
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+------------------+------------------+
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```
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**Optimization**:
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- **Primary Area** (top-left): Introduction, problem statement
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- **Strong Fallow** (top-right): Supporting figure, logo
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- **Weak Fallow** (bottom-left): Methods details, references
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- **Terminal Area** (bottom-right): Conclusions, take-home message
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### Directional Cues
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Guide viewers explicitly through content:
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**Numerical Ordering**:
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```latex
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\block{❶ Introduction}{...}
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\block{❷ Methods}{...}
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\block{❸ Results}{...}
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\block{❹ Conclusions}{...}
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```
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**Arrows and Lines**:
|
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```latex
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\begin{tikzpicture}
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\node[block] (intro) {Introduction};
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\node[block, right=of intro] (methods) {Methods};
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\node[block, right=of methods] (results) {Results};
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\draw[->, thick, blue] (intro) -- (methods);
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\draw[->, thick, blue] (methods) -- (results);
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\end{tikzpicture}
|
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```
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**Color Progression**:
|
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- Light to dark shades indicating progression
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- Cool to warm colors showing importance increase
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- Consistent color for related sections
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## Spatial Organization Strategies
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### Header/Title Area
|
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**Typical Size**: 10-15% of total poster height
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**Essential Elements**:
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- **Title**: Concise, descriptive (10-15 words max)
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- **Authors**: Full names, presenting author emphasized
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- **Affiliations**: Institutions, departments
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- **Logos**: University, funding agencies (2-4 max)
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- **Conference info** (optional): Name, date, location
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**Layout Options**:
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**Centered**:
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```
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+----------------------------------------+
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| [Logo] POSTER TITLE HERE [Logo]|
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| Authors and Affiliations |
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| email@university.edu |
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+----------------------------------------+
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```
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**Left-aligned**:
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```
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+----------------------------------------+
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| POSTER TITLE HERE [Logo] |
|
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| Authors and Affiliations [Logo] |
|
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+----------------------------------------+
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```
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**Split**:
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```
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+----------------------------------------+
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| [Logo] | Authors & Affil. |
|
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| POSTER TITLE | email@edu |
|
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| | [QR Code] |
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+----------------------------------------+
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```
|
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|
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**LaTeX Header (beamerposter)**:
|
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```latex
|
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\begin{columns}[T]
|
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\begin{column}{.15\linewidth}
|
||||
\includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{logo1.pdf}
|
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\end{column}
|
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|
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\begin{column}{.7\linewidth}
|
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\centering
|
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{\VeryHuge\textbf{Your Research Title Here}}\\[0.5cm]
|
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{\Large Author One\textsuperscript{1}, Author Two\textsuperscript{2}}\\[0.3cm]
|
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{\normalsize \textsuperscript{1}University A, \textsuperscript{2}University B}
|
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\end{column}
|
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|
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\begin{column}{.15\linewidth}
|
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\includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{logo2.pdf}
|
||||
\end{column}
|
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\end{columns}
|
||||
```
|
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|
||||
### Main Content Area
|
||||
|
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**Typical Size**: 70-80% of total poster
|
||||
|
||||
**Organization Principles**:
|
||||
|
||||
**1. Top-to-Bottom Flow**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
Introduction/Background
|
||||
↓
|
||||
Methods/Approach
|
||||
↓
|
||||
Results (Multiple panels)
|
||||
↓
|
||||
Discussion/Conclusions
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**2. Left-to-Right, Top-to-Bottom**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
[Intro] [Results 1] [Results 3]
|
||||
[Methods] [Results 2] [Discussion]
|
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```
|
||||
|
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**3. Centralized Main Figure**:
|
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```
|
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[Intro] [Main Figure] [Discussion]
|
||||
[Methods] (center) [Conclusions]
|
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```
|
||||
|
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**Section Sizing**:
|
||||
- Introduction: 10-15% of content area
|
||||
- Methods: 15-20%
|
||||
- Results: 40-50% (largest section)
|
||||
- Discussion/Conclusions: 15-20%
|
||||
|
||||
### Footer Area
|
||||
|
||||
**Typical Size**: 5-10% of total poster height
|
||||
|
||||
**Common Elements**:
|
||||
- References (abbreviated, 5-10 key citations)
|
||||
- Acknowledgments (funding, collaborators)
|
||||
- Contact information
|
||||
- QR codes (paper, code, data)
|
||||
- Social media handles (optional)
|
||||
- Conference hashtags
|
||||
|
||||
**Layout**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
+----------------------------------------+
|
||||
| References: 1. Author (2023) ... | 📱 |
|
||||
| Acknowledgments: Funded by ... | QR |
|
||||
| Contact: name@email.edu | Code |
|
||||
+----------------------------------------+
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**LaTeX Footer**:
|
||||
```latex
|
||||
\begin{block}{}
|
||||
\footnotesize
|
||||
\begin{columns}[T]
|
||||
\begin{column}{0.7\linewidth}
|
||||
\textbf{References}
|
||||
\begin{enumerate}
|
||||
\item Author A et al. (2023). Journal. doi:...
|
||||
\item Author B et al. (2024). Conference.
|
||||
\end{enumerate}
|
||||
|
||||
\textbf{Acknowledgments}
|
||||
This work was supported by Grant XYZ.
|
||||
|
||||
\textbf{Contact}: firstname.lastname@university.edu
|
||||
\end{column}
|
||||
|
||||
\begin{column}{0.25\linewidth}
|
||||
\centering
|
||||
\qrcode[height=3cm]{https://doi.org/10.1234/paper}\\
|
||||
\tiny Scan for full paper
|
||||
\end{column}
|
||||
\end{columns}
|
||||
\end{block}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## White Space Management
|
||||
|
||||
### Margins and Padding
|
||||
|
||||
**Outer Margins**:
|
||||
- Minimum: 2-3cm (0.75-1 inch)
|
||||
- Recommended: 3-5cm (1-2 inches)
|
||||
- Prevents edge trimming issues in printing
|
||||
- Provides visual breathing room
|
||||
|
||||
**Inner Spacing**:
|
||||
- Between columns: 1-2cm
|
||||
- Between blocks: 1-2cm
|
||||
- Inside blocks (padding): 0.5-1.5cm
|
||||
- Around figures: 0.5-1cm
|
||||
|
||||
**LaTeX Margin Control**:
|
||||
```latex
|
||||
% beamerposter
|
||||
\usepackage[size=a0, scale=1.4]{beamerposter}
|
||||
\setbeamersize{text margin left=3cm, text margin right=3cm}
|
||||
|
||||
% tikzposter
|
||||
\documentclass[..., margin=30mm, innermargin=15mm]{tikzposter}
|
||||
|
||||
% baposter
|
||||
\begin{poster}{
|
||||
colspacing=1.5em, % Horizontal spacing
|
||||
...
|
||||
}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
### Active White Space vs. Passive White Space
|
||||
|
||||
**Active White Space**: Intentionally placed for specific purpose
|
||||
- Around key figures (draws attention)
|
||||
- Between major sections (creates clear separation)
|
||||
- Above/below titles (emphasizes hierarchy)
|
||||
|
||||
**Passive White Space**: Natural result of layout
|
||||
- Margins and borders
|
||||
- Line spacing
|
||||
- Gaps between elements
|
||||
|
||||
**Balance**: Aim for 30-40% white space overall
|
||||
|
||||
### Visual Breathing Room
|
||||
|
||||
**Avoid**:
|
||||
- ❌ Elements touching edges
|
||||
- ❌ Text blocks directly adjacent
|
||||
- ❌ Figures without surrounding space
|
||||
- ❌ Cramped, claustrophobic feel
|
||||
|
||||
**Implement**:
|
||||
- ✅ Clear separation between sections
|
||||
- ✅ Space around focal points
|
||||
- ✅ Generous padding inside boxes
|
||||
- ✅ Balanced distribution of content
|
||||
|
||||
## Block and Box Design
|
||||
|
||||
### Block Types and Functions
|
||||
|
||||
**Title Block**: Poster header
|
||||
- Full width, top position
|
||||
- High visual weight
|
||||
- Contains identifying information
|
||||
|
||||
**Content Blocks**: Main sections
|
||||
- Column-based or free-floating
|
||||
- Hierarchical sizing (larger = more important)
|
||||
- Clear headers and structure
|
||||
|
||||
**Callout Blocks**: Emphasized information
|
||||
- Key findings or quotes
|
||||
- Different color or style
|
||||
- Visually distinct
|
||||
|
||||
**Reference Blocks**: Supporting info
|
||||
- Footer position
|
||||
- Smaller, less prominent
|
||||
- Informational, not critical
|
||||
|
||||
### Block Styling Options
|
||||
|
||||
**Border Styles**:
|
||||
```latex
|
||||
% Rounded corners (friendly, modern)
|
||||
\begin{block}{Title}
|
||||
% beamerposter with rounded
|
||||
\setbeamertemplate{block begin}[rounded]
|
||||
|
||||
% Sharp corners (formal, traditional)
|
||||
\setbeamertemplate{block begin}[default]
|
||||
|
||||
% No border (minimal, clean)
|
||||
\setbeamercolor{block title}{bg=white, fg=black}
|
||||
\setbeamercolor{block body}{bg=white, fg=black}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Shadow and Depth**:
|
||||
```latex
|
||||
% tikzposter shadow
|
||||
\tikzset{
|
||||
block/.append style={
|
||||
drop shadow={shadow xshift=2mm, shadow yshift=-2mm}
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
|
||||
% tcolorbox drop shadow
|
||||
\usepackage{tcolorbox}
|
||||
\begin{tcolorbox}[enhanced, drop shadow]
|
||||
Content with shadow
|
||||
\end{tcolorbox}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Background Shading**:
|
||||
- **Solid**: Clean, professional
|
||||
- **Gradient**: Modern, dynamic
|
||||
- **Transparent**: Layered, sophisticated
|
||||
|
||||
### Relationship and Grouping
|
||||
|
||||
**Visual Grouping Techniques**:
|
||||
|
||||
**1. Proximity**: Place related items close
|
||||
```
|
||||
[Intro Text]
|
||||
[Related Figure]
|
||||
↓ grouped
|
||||
[Methods Text]
|
||||
[Methods Diagram]
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**2. Color Coding**: Use color to show relationships
|
||||
- All "Methods" blocks in blue
|
||||
- All "Results" blocks in green
|
||||
- Conclusions in orange
|
||||
|
||||
**3. Borders**: Enclose related elements
|
||||
```latex
|
||||
\begin{tcolorbox}[title=Experimental Pipeline]
|
||||
\begin{enumerate}
|
||||
\item Sample preparation
|
||||
\item Data collection
|
||||
\item Analysis
|
||||
\end{enumerate}
|
||||
\end{tcolorbox}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**4. Alignment**: Aligned elements appear related
|
||||
```
|
||||
[Block A Left-aligned]
|
||||
[Block B Left-aligned]
|
||||
vs.
|
||||
[Block C Centered]
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## Responsive and Adaptive Layouts
|
||||
|
||||
### Designing for Different Poster Sizes
|
||||
|
||||
**Scaling Strategy**:
|
||||
- Design for target size (e.g., A0)
|
||||
- Test at other common sizes (A1, 36×48")
|
||||
- Use relative sizing (percentages, not absolute)
|
||||
|
||||
**Font Scaling**:
|
||||
```latex
|
||||
% Scale fonts proportionally
|
||||
\usepackage[size=a0, scale=1.4]{beamerposter} % A0 at 140%
|
||||
\usepackage[size=a1, scale=1.0]{beamerposter} % A1 at 100%
|
||||
|
||||
% Or define sizes relatively
|
||||
\newcommand{\titlesize}{\fontsize{96}{110}\selectfont}
|
||||
\newcommand{\headersize}{\fontsize{60}{72}\selectfont}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Content Adaptation**:
|
||||
- **A0 (full)**: All content, 5-6 figures
|
||||
- **A1 (reduced)**: Condense to 3-4 main figures
|
||||
- **A2 (compact)**: Key finding only, 1-2 figures
|
||||
|
||||
### Portrait vs. Landscape Orientation
|
||||
|
||||
**Portrait (Vertical)**:
|
||||
- **Pros**: Traditional, more common stands, natural reading flow
|
||||
- **Cons**: Less width for figures, can feel cramped
|
||||
- **Best for**: Text-heavy posters, multi-section flow, conferences
|
||||
|
||||
**Landscape (Horizontal)**:
|
||||
- **Pros**: Wide figures, natural for timelines, modern feel
|
||||
- **Cons**: Harder to read from distance, less common
|
||||
- **Best for**: Timelines, wide data visualizations, non-traditional venues
|
||||
|
||||
**LaTeX Orientation**:
|
||||
```latex
|
||||
% Portrait
|
||||
\usepackage[size=a0, orientation=portrait]{beamerposter}
|
||||
\documentclass[..., portrait]{tikzposter}
|
||||
|
||||
% Landscape
|
||||
\usepackage[size=a0, orientation=landscape]{beamerposter}
|
||||
\documentclass[..., landscape]{tikzposter}
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## Layout Patterns by Research Type
|
||||
|
||||
### Experimental Research
|
||||
|
||||
**Typical Flow**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
[Title and Authors]
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Background | Methods |
|
||||
| Problem | (Diagram) |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Results (Figure 1) |
|
||||
| Results (Figure 2) |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Discussion | Conclusions |
|
||||
| Limitations| Future Work |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
[References and Contact]
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Emphasis**: Visual results, clear methodology
|
||||
|
||||
### Computational/Modeling
|
||||
|
||||
**Typical Flow**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
[Title and Authors]
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Motivation | Algorithm |
|
||||
| | (Flowchart) |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Implementation Details |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Results | Results |
|
||||
| (Benchmark)| (Comparison) |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Conclusions| Code QR |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
[GitHub, Docker, Documentation]
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Emphasis**: Algorithm clarity, reproducibility
|
||||
|
||||
### Clinical/Medical
|
||||
|
||||
**Typical Flow**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
[Title and Authors]
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Background | Methods |
|
||||
| Clinical | - Design |
|
||||
| Need | - Population |
|
||||
| | - Outcomes |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Results | |
|
||||
| (Primary Outcome) | Key|
|
||||
| | Fig|
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Discussion | Clinical |
|
||||
| | Implications |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
[Trial Registration, Ethics, Funding]
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Emphasis**: Patient outcomes, clinical relevance
|
||||
|
||||
### Review/Meta-Analysis
|
||||
|
||||
**Typical Flow**:
|
||||
```
|
||||
[Title and Authors]
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Research | Search |
|
||||
| Question | Strategy |
|
||||
| | (PRISMA Flow) |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Included Studies Overview |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Findings | Findings |
|
||||
| (Theme 1) | (Theme 2) |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
| Synthesis | Gaps & |
|
||||
| | Future Needs |
|
||||
+---------------------------+
|
||||
[Systematic Review Registration]
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Emphasis**: Comprehensive coverage, synthesis
|
||||
|
||||
## Layout Testing and Iteration
|
||||
|
||||
### Design Iteration Process
|
||||
|
||||
**1. Sketch Phase**:
|
||||
- Hand-draw rough layout
|
||||
- Experiment with different arrangements
|
||||
- Mark primary, secondary, tertiary content
|
||||
|
||||
**2. Digital Mockup**:
|
||||
- Create low-fidelity version in LaTeX
|
||||
- Use placeholder text/figures
|
||||
- Test different grid systems
|
||||
|
||||
**3. Content Integration**:
|
||||
- Replace placeholders with actual content
|
||||
- Adjust spacing and sizing
|
||||
- Refine visual hierarchy
|
||||
|
||||
**4. Refinement**:
|
||||
- Fine-tune alignment
|
||||
- Balance visual weight
|
||||
- Optimize white space
|
||||
|
||||
**5. Testing**:
|
||||
- Print at reduced scale (25%)
|
||||
- View from distance
|
||||
- Get colleague feedback
|
||||
|
||||
### Feedback Checklist
|
||||
|
||||
**Visual Balance**:
|
||||
- [ ] No single area feels too heavy or too light
|
||||
- [ ] Color distributed evenly across poster
|
||||
- [ ] Text and figures balanced
|
||||
- [ ] White space well-distributed
|
||||
|
||||
**Hierarchy and Flow**:
|
||||
- [ ] Clear entry point (title visible)
|
||||
- [ ] Logical reading path
|
||||
- [ ] Section relationships clear
|
||||
- [ ] Conclusions easy to find
|
||||
|
||||
**Technical Execution**:
|
||||
- [ ] Consistent alignment
|
||||
- [ ] Uniform spacing
|
||||
- [ ] Professional appearance
|
||||
- [ ] No awkward breaks or orphans
|
||||
|
||||
## Common Layout Mistakes
|
||||
|
||||
**1. Unbalanced Visual Weight**
|
||||
- ❌ All content on left, empty right side
|
||||
- ❌ Large figure dominating, tiny text elsewhere
|
||||
- ✅ Distribute content evenly across poster
|
||||
|
||||
**2. Inconsistent Spacing**
|
||||
- ❌ Random gaps between blocks
|
||||
- ❌ Elements touching in some places, spaced in others
|
||||
- ✅ Use consistent spacing values throughout
|
||||
|
||||
**3. Poor Column Width**
|
||||
- ❌ Extremely narrow columns (hard to read)
|
||||
- ❌ Very wide columns (eye tracking difficult)
|
||||
- ✅ Optimal: 40-80 characters per line
|
||||
|
||||
**4. Ignoring Grid**
|
||||
- ❌ Random placement of elements
|
||||
- ❌ Misaligned blocks
|
||||
- ✅ Align to invisible grid, consistent positioning
|
||||
|
||||
**5. Overcrowding**
|
||||
- ❌ No white space, cramped feel
|
||||
- ❌ Trying to fit too much content
|
||||
- ✅ Generous margins, clear separation
|
||||
|
||||
## Conclusion
|
||||
|
||||
Effective layout design:
|
||||
- Uses appropriate grid systems (2, 3, or 4 columns)
|
||||
- Follows natural eye movement patterns
|
||||
- Maintains visual balance and hierarchy
|
||||
- Provides adequate white space
|
||||
- Groups related content clearly
|
||||
- Adapts to different poster sizes and orientations
|
||||
|
||||
Remember: Layout should support content, not compete with it. When viewers focus on your research rather than your design, you've succeeded.
|
||||
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user