Skip to Main Content
Beginning this summer and throughout the fall semester, we are working to upgrade the research experience by making ongoing improvements to our Research Guides.
You may encounter changes in the look and feel of the Research Guides website along with structural changes to our existing guides. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please let us know.

Science Communication

This set of guides has been adapted from LibGuides created by the Michigan State University Librarians, Erika Weir, Iris Kovar-Gough and Susan Kendall.

Getting Started

Poster sessions are a common format for presenting research at most academic conferences. It is also one of the most common formats for undergraduate students, graduate students, and early career researcher to begin presenting their research. The following guides provide information on research poster best practices and design basics to help you get started.

Sharing Your Research

MSU's Undegraduate Research office provides opportunities for students to present their research at the undergraduate level. For resources to start sharing your research both on and off campus see their website.

Poster Printing

MSU students, faculty, and staff can print posters at the Hollander MakeCentral Service Desk located in the Main Library. More information on how to print, prices, etc. is available here.

Creating Posters with PowerPoint

Poster Templates

What software do I use to make a poster?

PowerPoint is one of the most common options for making posters.  If you are unfamiliar with PowerPoint, use the following directions to guide your work:

1)   Open PowerPoint
2)   Go to Design
3)   Click on Page Setup
4)   From the drop-down list 'Slides sized for", select Custon (the last option on the list)
5)   For a standard 3' x 4' poster, type in Wiedgth 48" and Height 36"
6)   Click OK. 
7)   Click on Home.
8)   Click on Layout.
9)   Select a "Blank"
10)  Insert images, text boxes and the like using the Drawing set of options.  

Note:  The HBOI poster printer is located in Link 123.  

"Better Poster" Design (19:31)

Video created by Mike Morrison, Michigan State University organizational psychology doctoral candidate, on how to create better research posters.

Last updated on Aug 4, 2022 12:06 PM