Poster displays content

The Eighth Symposium of the Protein Society, held in San Diego July 9-13, 1994, was very well attended, with almost 1200 scientists and 630 exhibitors. Six hundred and fifty posters were presented and 66 companies displayed their products. We expect next year s symposium to be as successful. The ABRF annual meeting will be held in Boston, Massachusetts, July 7-8, 1995, immediately followed by the Ninth Symposium of the Protein Society (July 8-12). The next volume of Techniques, to be edited by Daniel R. Marshak, will be based on the scientific content of these meetings. 

The typical format is that of a scientific report (see Box 52.1), i.e. with the same headings, but with a considerably reduced content. Never be tempted to spend the minimum amount of time converting a piece of scientific writing into poster format. At scientific meetings, the least interesting posters are those where the author simply displays pages from a written communication (e.g. a journal article) on the poster board Keep references within the text to a minimum - interested parties can always ask you for further information. 

Before buying poster paper and going to the word processor, think back on poster sessions you ha e attended. If possible, attend one or two again, look at samples that may be on display at vour institution, and evaluate what works. Your goal in this survey is not to critique the scientific content or the superficial impact of the presentation, but to see (1) which posters allow you to get the most information plus a notable message in the most efficient and straightforward manner and (2) which ones catch your eye anti make you stop to read more closely. These—the simultaneously effective and pleasing posters—are your models. 

One study looked at a poster about sling safety for hoisting equipment. The poster gave a detailed instruction Hook that sling After a poster was on display six weeks, there was a 13% increase in hooked slings. Some workers could remember that the poster was up but few could remember the content. 

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