Artskills Poster Handbook

The Original
Poster Project
Idea Book
Everything you need
to know to make
FABULOUS
POSTERS!
Bet t er ! Easi er ! Fast er !
The Original Poster Project I dea Book
Pu b l i sh ed by
ArtSkills
2 1 7 Fer r y St r eet
East o n , PA 1 8 0 4 2
w w w. ar t sk i l l s. c o m
2 0 0 6 A r t Sk i l l s
A l l r i gh t s r eser ved . Th i s b o o k i s p r o t ec t ed by c o py r i gh t .
N o p ar t o f i t m ay b e r ep r o d u c ed o r t ran sm i t t ed i n any f o r m
by any m ean s, w i t h o u t t h e p r i o r p er m i ssi o n i n w r i t i n g o f t h e Pu b l i sh er.
We welcome your
questions
and comments!
Please write to us at:
PosterZone@artskills.com
Chapter 1:
Chapter 2:
Chapter 3:
Chapter 4:
Chapter 5:
Chapter 6
:
:
Chapter 7:
Chapter 8:
EMERGENCY POSTER GUIDE
Chapter 1: I N TRO TO PO STER M A KI N G
H ow t o Be Pr ep ar ed
ESSENTI AL CHECKLI STS!
Chapter 2: PO STER I D EA S
H ow t o G et Ro l l i n g
THE POSTER I DEA GENERATOR!
Chapter 3: BA SI C PO STER LAYO U TS
H ow t o O r gan i z e Yo u r I m ages & Co py
50 EASY TEMPLATES!
Chapter 4: CREATI V E ELEM EN TS
H ow t o M ak e Yo u r Po st er W O W em !
EYE-CATCHI NG I DEAS!
Chapter 5: CO LO R BA SI CS
H ow t o M ak e Yo u r Po st er A p p eal i n g!
USI NG COLOR WI SELY!
Chapter 6
:
: LETTERI N G & CEN TERI N G
H ow t o Cen t er Yo u r Let t er s
GREAT SAMPLE LETTERI NG STYLES!
Chapter 7: SPEECH & TI M E SAV ERS
H ow t o Save Ti m e an d Pr esen t Yo u r Po st er
LI FESAVI NG HI NTS!
Chapter 8: PO STER TO PI CS
Su ggest i o n s f o r Po st er Ti t l es
100 KI LLER I DEAS!
EMERGENCY POSTER GUIDE
H ow t o Resc u e Yo u r Po st er, FA ST!
THE 60 MI NUTE POSTER!
THE ORIGINAL POSTER PROJECT
IDEA BOOK
Table of Contents
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
To get t h e m o st o u t o f t h i s b o o k , f i r st yo u
n eed t o d ec i d e w h er e yo u ar e i n t h e
p o st er- b o ar d i n g p r o c ess.
1. I f you have 7 DAYS OR MORE:
YOURE ON EASY STREET!
Th i s p o st er d o esn t n eed t o b e f i n i sh ed
f o r a w eek o r m o r e. Yo u ve go t p l en t y o f
t i m e t o d o yo u r r esearch , b e c r eat i ve an d
t ak e yo u r t i m e w i t h t h e h an d s- o n w o r k .
DO THI S: Read an d r ev i ew al l ch ap t er s,
c o m p l et e t h e ex erc i ses an d sel ec t t h e b est
i d eas f o r yo u r sp ec i f i c p o st er p r o j ec t .
2. I f you have 3 4 DAYS:
THE CLOCKS A TI CKI N!
Yo u h ave ab o u t 3 d ay s o r so t o p u l l t h i s
o f f an d al l yo u ve r eal l y d o n e so f ar i s p r o -
c rast i n at e. Yo u d o n t n eed t o p an i c , b u t
yo u d o n eed so m e gu i d an c e an d f o c u s!
DO THI S: Sk i m t h r o u gh t h e ch ap t er s
maki ng sure to note any text i n BOLD RED
p r i n t an d al l t h e l i st s m ar k ed by t h i s
sy m b o l : . Yo u m i gh t al so w an t t o c o n -
su l t t h e Em er gen cy G u i d e i f yo u get st u ck .
3. I ts due TOMORROW!
YOU WANT I T WHEN!?!?
Yo u r p o st er i s d u e TO M O RRO W an d yo u
ar e sc ram b l i n g. Th er es n o t i m e f o r k i ck i n g
yo u r sel f , so t ak e a d eep b r eat h an d .
DO THI S: Fo l l ow t h e 6 0 M i n u t e
Em er gen cy Po st er G u i d e i n si d e t h e r ear
c over. U se t h e b est i d eas t h at i t i n sp i r es
an d forward march!
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION TO
POSTER MAKING
W e k n ow yo u ! Yo u ar e so m eo n e w h o
h as t o m ak e a p o st er f o r sch o o l , f o r a
b ak e sal e, f o r t h e sc i en c e f ai r, f o r a b aby
sh ow er o r f o r t h e f o o t b al l t eam . W er e
h er e t o h el p !
H ow c an W E h el p ?? W e ar e A r t Sk i l l s
TM
,
m ak er s o f q u al i t y ar t su p p l i es, an d w e' ve
st u d i ed t h e p o st er m ak i n g n eed s o f
st u d en t s, p ar en t s, t each er s an d so c i al
"p o st er- b o ar d er s. "
W er e al so p ar en t s (an d f o r m er st u d en t s)
o u r sel ves. W e ve b een t h er e an d d o n e
t h at . N ow, w e ve w r i t t en t h e b o o k !
Th i n k o f u s as yo u r Po st er M ak i n g
Par t n er s
TM
. W e w an t t o h el p yo u m ak e a
FA N TA STI C p o st er an d h ave so m e FU N
al o n g t h e w ay !
Let u s sh ar e w i t h yo u so m e si m p l e st ep s
t o f o l l ow f o r i n c r eased su c c ess.
1
(See Chapter 3, Page 15.)
Note: Each step listed below is
discussed in greater detail in later
chapters! This list gives you an
overall sense of how to get the job
done.
2
G at h er yo u r su p p l i es! (See l i st o n
f ac i n g p age)
D ec i d e o n yo u r m ai n p o i n t . W h at s
yo u r i d ea? W h at d o yo u w an t yo u r
au d i en c e t o l ear n o r k n ow ?
Ch o o se a l ayo u t w h i ch m ak es t h e
b est u se o f yo u r r esearch , i d eas an d
m at er i al s.
U se b ack gr o u n d s, b o r d er s an d ad d -
o n s t o h el p yo u r p o st er b ec o m e
an eye- c at ch er.
(See Chapter 4, Page 47)
U se c o l o r t o ac c en t yo u r p o st er an d
r ei n f o rc e yo u r m essage.
Lay o u t yo u r i m ages & t ex t b l o ck s
o n yo u r p o st er b o ar d , W I TH O U T
G LU I N G A N YTH I N G D O W N !
Bef o r e yo u even TO U CH t h at ad h e-
si ve, SPELL CH ECK! SPELL CH ECK!
SPELL CH ECK! (A n d t h en h ave
so m eo n e el se sp el l ch eck yo u r
p o st er f o r yo u ! ). . . D i d w e say SPELL
CH ECK?
Pai n t , d raw, w r i t e, gl u e d ow n o r
o t h er w i se at t ach al l p ar t s o f yo u r
p o st er s- l - o - w - l - y an d c ar ef u l l y. Th i s
w i l l b e yo u r f i n al p r o d u c t , so t ak e
yo u r t i m e t o c r eat e a q u al i t y p o st er.
Bef o r e yo u go any f u r t h er, l et s m ak e
su r e yo u h ave a gen eral i d ea o f t h e su p -
p l i es yo u l l n eed :
ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES
FOR YOUR
POSTER-BOARDING KIT
1. Tw o p i ec es o f p o st er b o ar d (Can yo u
gu ess w hy yo u m i gh t n eed t w o ?)
2. St en c i l s - var i o u s si z es, A r t Sk i l l s
St en c i l Ki t
3. A r t Sk i l l s Po st er Pai n t s
4. Sc i sso r s A r t Sk i l l s Ed gi n g &
r egu l ar
5. Pen c i l s - r egu l ar & c o l o r ed
6. Ru l er & Eraser s M U ST H AV ES!
7. M ar k er s A r t Sk i l l s Ju m b o &
N eo n M ar k er s
8. Pr e- c u t Let t er s A r t Sk i l l s Q u i ck
St i ck Let t er s & Vi ny l Let t er s
9. G l u e, Tap e, o r Sp ray A d h esi ve
10. G l i t t er & o t h er ad d - o n s
A r t Sk i l l s Eye- Cat ch er s & G l i t t er
Sh ak er s, st i ck er s, sh ap es, et c .
3
Chapter 3
(Page 15)
So m e si m p l e ar t t er m s ar e u sed i n t h i s
b o o k . Let s r ev i ew t h em q u i ck l y so w er e
al l sp eak i n g t h e sam e l an gu age!
FORMAT I n p o st er- b o ar d i n g, f o r m at
d esc r i b es t h e gen eral l ayo u t o f yo u r b o ar d .
I s i t ver t i c al o r h o r i z o n t al ? A r e yo u go i n g
t o c u t an d sh ap e yo u r b o ar d s o r u se t r i -
f o l d b o ar d s? W i l l yo u r p o st er h ave i n t er -
ac t i ve o r t h r ee- d i m en si o n al sec t i o n s?
M i gh t t h er e b e a h an d o u t at t ach ed t o yo u r
b o ar d o r any o t h er gi ve- aw ay o r at t rac t i o n ?
Th ese ar e al l ex am p l es o f f o r m at o p t i o n s.
4
I DEA / TI TLE & THEME W h en m ak -
i n g a p o st er, yo u r m ai n i d ea sh o u l d b e
r ei n f o rc ed by yo u r ch o i c e o f c o l o r, d esi gn ,
l et t er i n g, et c . Th i s h el p s c r eat e a "t h em e"
w h i ch yo u r i m ages, w o r d s, c o l o r s an d
grap h i c s sh ar e a l i n k t h at h el p s c l ar i f y
yo u r p o st er s m essage.
FLOW & STRUCTURE Peo p l e n eed t o
b e ab l e t o U N D ERSTA N D an d
REM EM BER yo u r p o st er ' s m essage. Th i s
c an b e ac c o m p l i sh ed by u si n g t h e n at u ral
f l ow o f t h e v i ew er s eye. Chapter 3
(Page 15) o f f er s a ran ge o f l ayo u t gu i d e-
l i n es t o h el p yo u m ak e an at t rac t i ve u ser-
f r i en d l y p o st er t h at h i t s h o m e. (O r grab s
t h e A + ! )
CREATI VE ELEMENTS Bec au se t h i s i s
su ch an i m p o r t an t p ar t o f t h e overal l su c -
c ess o f yo u r p o st er, w e h ave a w h o l e sep a-
rat e ch ap t er d evo t ed t o i t l at er ! (See
Chapter 5, Page 63). Cr eat i ve el em en t s
u sed i n p o st er- b o ar d i n g i n c l u d e b ack -
gr o u n d s, b o r d er s, m at t i n g, d ec o rat i o n ,
sh i m m er, sh i n e, l et t er i n g an d any o t h er
W O W el em en t s t o h el p yo u r p o st er
PO P!
COLOR - I n m ak i n g p o st er s, c o l o r c an b e
u sed t o r ep r esen t n at i o n al i t i es, seaso n s,
em o t i o n s, h o l i d ay s, an d so m u ch m o r e.
Th e p r o p er u se o f c o l o r c an al so gi ve yo u r
p o st er a q u al i t y l o o k . Ch eck o u t Chapter
6, Page 73 f o r m o r e i n f o r m at i o n o n u si n g
c o l o r t o yo u r advan t age.
5
6
I dentify your Main
Point.
Brainstorm!
Think Outside the
Box.
Write down your
main idea and hang
it up for reference.
CHAPTER TWO:
POSTER IDEAS
W h en m ak i n g a p o st er, t h e f i r st st ep i s t o
d ec i d e o n yo u r M A I N PO I N T o r I D EA .
To d o t h i s, yo u n eed t o z er o i n o n w h at
yo u w an t yo u r au d i en c e t o k n ow, u n d er -
st an d , f eel o r b el i eve af t er v i ew i n g yo u r
p o st er.
G ran t ed , t h i s i s n o t al w ay s an easy t ask .
I t w i l l p r o b ab l y t ak e so m e h ead - sc rat ch i n g.
7
Tak e h ear t t h o u gh , b ec au se o n c e yo u ve
d i sc over ed yo u r m ai n p o i n t o r i d ea, t h e
r est o f yo u r p o st er- b o ar d i n g d ec i si o n s w i l l
b e m u ch easi er.
Yo u w i l l r et u r n t o yo u r m ai n p o i n t over
an d over, u si n g i t as a t h em e t o gu i d e yo u
i n ch o o si n g yo u r p o st er ' s d esi gn , c o l o r an d
l et t er i n g sch em es.
N ow, l et s r ead o n an d get yo u r b rai n
c ran k i n g w i t h t h ese h el p f u l ex erc i ses!
Brainstorming
I dea Generating Questions
Poster Worksheet
TI P: The best poster ideas
can be boiled down to a single
sentence. Any attentive viewer (or
teacher, who might be grading your
masterpiece!) should be able to
grasp your message at a glance.
8
BRAI NSTORMI NG!
Session 1
Tak e t h e el em en t s o f yo u r m ai n p o i n t
an d BRA I N STO RM ! Th i n k o f f u n ny,
d ram at i c , ser i o u s, si l l y o r f ac t u al w ay s t o
ex p r ess yo u r p o i n t !
U se t h e sp ac es b el ow t o j o t d ow n so m e
o f yo u r i d eas.
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
4. ___________________________________
5. ___________________________________
6. ___________________________________
7. ___________________________________
8. ___________________________________
9. ___________________________________
10. __________________________________
9
I DEA GENERATI NG
QUESTI ONS
A n o t h er w ay t o i d en t i f y yo u r m ai n
p o i n t i s t o an sw er so m e o f t h ese q u es-
t i o n s ab o u t yo u r gen eral t o p i c .
I f yo u r t o p i c i s h i st o r i c al , w h at
m o d er n even t s o r t rad i t i o n s ar e
r el at ed t o i t ?
W h at p h rases ar e asso c i at ed w i t h
yo u r t o p i c ?
W h o ar e so m e p o p u l ar p eo p l e
asso c i at ed w i t h yo u r t o p i c ?
W h at c o m m o n i t em s o r i d eas ar e
at t r i b u t ab l e t o yo u r t o p i c ?
W h at i s a c o m m o n l y
m i su n d er st o o d f ac t ab o u t yo u r
t o p i c ?
W h at w o u l d l i f e b e l i k e i f yo u r
t o p i c d i d n ' t ex i st o r n ever
h ap p en ed ?
10
POSTER WORKSHEET
So m et i m es seei n g ever y t h i n g o n p ap er i s
h el p f u l w h en f o c u si n g i n o n a m ai n i d ea.
G rab so m e p ap er an d w al k t h r o u gh o u r
Po st er W o r k sh eet t o o r gan i z e yo u r r esearch
an d h el p i d en t i f y yo u r m ai n p o i n t . (Sam p l e
w o r k sh eet b el ow )
STEP ONE: I d en t i f y yo u r t o p i c .
What is the subject of your poster?
Sample Answer: A b e Li n c o l n
STEP TWO: D esc r i b e yo u r t o p i c .
List at least 5 10 items that can be
associated with your topic.
Sample Answers:
1 . A b e Li n c o l n
2 . Ci v i l W ar
3 . G ray an d b l u e
4 . N o r t h an d so u t h
5 . M ar y To d d Li n c o l n
6 . Th eat er
7 . Bo o t h
8 . Th e 5 d o l l ar b i l l
9 . 1 6 t h p r esi d en t
1 0 . Pr esi d en t i al seal
1 1 . Fo u r sc o r e & seven year s ago
1 2 . Ken t u cky b o r n
1 3 . Bl ack h at
1 4 . A n t i - Sl aver y
11
STEP ONE: I d en t i f y yo u r t o p i c .
STEP TWO: D esc r i b e yo u r t o p i c .
STEP THREE: Choose a background.
STEP FOUR: Ch o o se a b o r d er.
STEP FI VE: W r i t e yo u t i t l e.
12
STEP THREE: Ch o o se a b ack gr o u n d .
Use your answers from Step Two to
pick a background which helps
identify your poster's main point or
theme.
Sample Answers:
I dea #1 - O u t l i n e t h e U SA as i t ex i st ed
d u r i n g t h e Ci v i l W ar an d sp l i t i t w i t h b l u e
an d gray c o l o r s sh ow i n g n o r t h an d so u t h .
I dea #2 - M ak e a b i g j agged ed ge (u se
A r t Sk i l l s ed gi n g sc i sso r s) i n yo u r p o st er
w i t h c o n st r u c t i o n p ap er - h al f gray an d
h al f b l u e.
I dea #3 - Cu t a b l ack
p o st er b o ar d i n t o t h e sh ap e
o f a st ovep i p e h at l i k e
A b e Li n c o l n w o r e.
U se t h ese i d eas t o ad d c o l o r
an d i n t er est t o t h e b i g w h i t e sp ac e o n
yo u r p o st er. Sel ec t yo u r b est i d ea an d u se
i t as yo u r b ack gr o u n d .
Be c r eat i ve! Th i n k o u t si d e t h e b o x !
TI P: Don't let your background
"steal the scene" from your poster's
main elements. Keep your back-
ground I N the background by mak-
ing sure it is not more visible or
more eye catching than your images
and text.
13
STEP FOUR: Ch o o se a b o r d er.
What can I use to frame my poster
and help emphasize my poster's
theme?
Sample Answers:
I dea #1- En l ar ge a p h o t o c o py o f a $ 5
b i l l an d u se i t as t h e b ack gr o u n d o f yo u r
p o st er.
I dea #2- Pr i n t o u t t h e w o r d s t o A b es
f am o u s sp eech Fo u r sc o r e an d seven
year s ago an d p ast e t h em ar o u n d t h e
ed ge as a b o r d er.
TI P: Great ideas for border-
making materials are in
Chapter 5: Creative Elements,
Page 63.
STEP FI VE: W r i t e yo u r t i t l e.
Use the ideas from the previous
steps to make a stand-out title!
Sample Answers:
N ow Pr esen t i n g # 1 6
Ken t u cky Boy M ak es G o o d
A D ram at i c Even t (i f yo u r p o st er
i n c l u d es h i s assassi n at i o n by
Jo h n W i l k es Bo o t h )
H o n est A b e
Avo i d si m p l y r est at i n g t h e gen eral t o p i c
o f yo u r p o st er. Yo u r t i t l e i s an easy w ay t o
get at t en t i o n an d ear n c r eat i v i t y p o i n t s!
TI P: Switch around the ideas
you come up with in these exercises
for even more options. Example: A
black silhouette of Lincoln could be
used as your posterboard's shape,
or your background, or miniature
silhouettes could form your border.
14
Fi n d a l ayo u t t h at b est f i t s yo u r
p o st er t o p i c an d t h e n u m b er o f i m ages &
b l o ck s o f t ex t yo u h ave.
That's it! Simple, huh?
"You're on your way! Keep it up!"
Ro l l u p yo u r sl eeves, f o l k s! H er e
c o m es t h e h an d s- o n f u n !
15
CHAPTER THREE:
BASIC POSTER LAYOUTS
U se o n e o f t h ese 5 0 p o st er l ayo u t s b ased
o n h ow m any k ey i m ages o r el em en t s yo u
h ave f o r yo u r p o st er.
Th e sam p l e l ayo u t s ran ge f r o m 1 m ai n
el em en t o r i m age t o 6 o r m o r e el em en t s o r
i m ages. U se t h em as gu i d es t o h el p yo u
p o si t i o n yo u r p h o t o s, i m ages an d t ex t i n
t h e m o st ef f ec t i ve w ay.
For example i f yo u h ave j u st o n e
i m p o r t an t i m age, p er h ap s a ch ar t , r ev i ew
t h e "O N E M A I N I M AG E o r ELEM EN T"
t em p l at es f o r i d eas o n h ow t o l ayo u t yo u r
p o st er.
Be sure to review the suggestions
provided with the different layouts
for more guidance in choosing the
best fit for your materials.
The ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea Book
SUB-HEADing
TITLE
POSTER TITLE
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
GRAPH TITLE
The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea BookThe ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe
ArtSkills PosterProject Idea Book
POSTER
TITLE
When using a large main image,
whether a photo, chart or graph, try
a simple centered vertical layout for
dramatic impact.
16
1
2
ONE MAIN IMAGE or ELEMENT
Sample Layouts using
17
The ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster Project
Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project Idea
The ArtSkills Poster Project Idea
BookThe ArtSkills Poster
POSTER TITLE
GRAPH TITLE
The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project
Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book
Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book
POSTER TITLE
Bullet Points are an easy way to
draw attention to interesting facts
on your poster.
Presenting your research with a
graph showing sharp peaks and
drops is a great eye-catcher.
3
4
18
The ArtSkills PosterProject
Idea BookThe ArtSkills
Poster Project Idea Book
GRAPH TITLE DESCRIPTION
This is Greeked out text
section that I am using
for an examples. This is
Greeked out text
for an examples.
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for an examples.
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for an examples.
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for an examples.
1045&3
5JUMF
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
A large and colorful pie-chart in
the center of your poster is a great
way to express your information
visually.
I f you have text that is best displayed
in columns, place your title on a
broad colored band across the
middle of your poster.
5
6
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PosterProject Idea
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Poster Project IdeaBook
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PosterProject Idea
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PosterProject Idea
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PosterProject Idea
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19
1045&35*5-&
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
1*$5*5-&
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
1045&35*5-&
Sometimes it's true that less is more!
7
8
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
Simple columns with the hint of a
shadow, as in either of these layouts,
can make your poster look more
polished.
20
1045&3
5*5-&
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
46#)&"%*/(
I magine this layout for a poster on

an author or poet, with a portrait of
the artist, a short biographical
sketch to the left and a poem or
quote at the top right.
Try using different colored
construction paper as the back-
ground for your text blocks for a
little added color.
9
TI P: When making a poster with
one main image, chart, graph or
other element, make sure it does
not get so big that it overpowers
your title. Keep your title
vibrant and legible from at least
4 feet away.
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
21
1
0
4
5
&
3
5
J
U
M
F
Type goes here and here and here
and maybe here and here and here
and here as well and down here
and over here and right here nd here
Poster Title
You can also put text
inside of a box to make
your poster different
You ca n also put text
You can also put text
You ca n also put text
Write your title on an angle to
show movement.
10
11
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
TWO MAIN IMAGES or ELEMENTS
22
46#)&"%*/(
1045&35*5-&
1*$5*5-&
1*$5*5-&
section that I am using for
an example. Who knows
what genius you will really
put here, but I am sure it will
be super fantastic. This is
Greeked out text section that
I am using for an example.
Who knows what genius you
will really put here, but I am
sure it will be super
(3"1)5*5-&
%&4$3*15*0/
This is Greeked out text section
that I am using for an examples.
1045&35*5-&
Who knows what genius you will
really put here, but I am sure it will
be super fantastic.
be super fantastic.
be super fantastic.
be super fantastic.
12
13
Add titles or captions to your images
and re-state your poster's
message with a sub-heading across
the bottom.
Use a legend or key to explain a
graph and unify your poster.
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project
IdeaBookThe ArtSkills Poster
23
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
1045&3
5JUMF
Greeked out text
for an examples.
Greeked out text
for an examples.
5
*
5
-
&
1
0
4
5
&
3
1*$5*5-&
1*$5*5-&
This is Greeked out text section that I am using for an example.
Who knows what genius you will really put here, but I am sure it
will be super fantastic. This is Greeked out text section that I am
using for an example. Who knows what genius you will really put
here, but I am sure it will be super fantastic.
14
Colored stripes across your back-
ground can help separate sections of
your poster and add visual interest.
15
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills
Poster Project IdeaBook The ArtSkills Poster
24
This is Greeked out text section that I am using for an example. Who
knows what genius you will really put here, but I am sure it will be super
fantastic. This is Greeked out text section that I am using for an
example. Who knows what genius you will really put here, but I am sure
it will be super fantastic.
(3"1)5*5-&
1045&35*5-&
1*$5*5-&
sure it will be super
for an example. Who
knows what genius you
will really put here, but I
am sure it will be super
fantastic. This is Greeked
out text section that I am
using for an example.
for an example. Who
knows what genius you
will really put here, but I
am sure it will be super
fantastic. This is Greeked
out text section that I am
using for an example.
This is Greeked out text section that I
am using for an example. Who knows
what genius you will really put here,
but I am sure it will be super fantastic.
This is Greeked out text section that I
am using for an example. Who knows
what genius you will really put here,
but I am sure it will be super fantastic.
1PTUFS
5*5-&
16
17
Be sure your lettering is
vibrant and large.
IdeaBook The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe
ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBook The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBook The
ArtSkills Poster
IdeaBook The ArtSkills Poster
Consider breaking up your title as
above to give a dull poster more
visual interest.
25
1045&35*5-&
1*$5*5-&
This is Greeked
out text section
that I am using
for an example.
Who knows
what genius
you will really
put here, but I
am sure it will
be super
fantastic. This
This is Greeked out
text section that I
am using for an
example. Who
knows what genius
you will really put
here, but I am sure it
will be super
fantastic. This is
Greeked out text
section that I am
knows what genius you will really put here, but I am sure it will be
super fantastic. This is Greeked out text section that I am using for an
example. Who knows what genius you will really put here, but I am
sure it will be super fantastic.
knows what genius you will really put here, but I am sure it will be
super fantastic. This is Greeked out text section that I am using for an
example. Who knows what genius you will really put here, but I am
sure it will be super fantastic.
text text text text text
1
*
$
5
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1
*
$
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1
0
4
5
&
3
5
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5
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18
Get creative when positioning
images of different shapes or sizes.
19
Angled images and diagonal
lettering can give posters a lively,
active or playful feeling.
Poster Project IdeaBook The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBook
The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBook The ArtSkills
Poster
Poster Project IdeaBook The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBook
The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBook The ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
Poster Project
IdeaBook
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
Poster Project
IdeaBook
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
Poster Project
IdeaBook
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
Poster Project
IdeaBook
BookThe ArtSkills
BookThe ArtSkills
BookThe ArtSkills
BookThe ArtSkills
26
be super fantastic.
be super fantastic.
be super fantastic.
POSTER TITLE
When your pictures are "worth a
thousand words" don't be afraid to
let them shine!
20
TI P: When using more than 2
images, remember to keep them
in their proper sequence.
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
THREE MAIN IMAGES or
ELEMENTS
27
POSTER TITLE
This is Greeked out text section that I am using for an example. Who knows what
genius you will really put here, but I am sure it will be super fantastic. This is Greeked
out text section that I am using for an example. Who knows what genius you will
really put here, but I am sure it will be super fantastic.This is Greeked out text section
that I am using for an example. Who knows what genius you will really put here, but I
am sure it will be super fantastic. This is Greeked out text section that I am using for
P
O
S
T
E
R

T
I
TLE
INFO INFO
INFO INFO
DETAIL
Choose either a horizontal or
a vertical layout to best suit the
size and shape of your images
and text.
21
22
The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBookThe ArtSkills
Poster The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBookThe
ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project
IdeaBookThe ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster
Project IdeaBookThe ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills
Poster Project IdeaBookThe ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea Book
The ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBook
The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster
Project IdeaBook The ArtSkills Poster
28
SUB-HEADING

be super fantastic.
POSTER TITLE
Use lines with some curve and color
to add flair to your poster.
23
TI P: Remember to think of your
poster's audience when choos-
ing your layout. Keep your title,
sub-titles and image captions
clear and visible from 4 feet.
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe
ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBook The
ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills PosterProject
Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project
IdeaBook The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster
BookThe ArtSkills
BookThe ArtSkills
29
Poster title
Text goes undernesth this picture
text goes underneath the text above
Type might go here
as well . Type type
type type type type
Type might go here
as well . Type type
type type type type
Type might go here
as well . Type type
type type type type
Poster Title
sub-heading
25
24
T
h
e
A
rtS
kills P
o
ste
rP
ro
je
ct
Id
e
a
B
o
o
kT
h
e
A
rtS
kills
P
o
ste
r P
ro
je
ct Id
e
a
B
o
o
k
T
h
e
A
rtS
kills P
o
ste
r
T
h
e
A
rtS
kills P
o
ste
rP
ro
je
ct
Id
e
a
B
o
o
kT
h
e
A
rtS
kills
P
o
ste
r P
ro
je
ct Id
e
a
B
o
o
k
T
h
e
A
rtS
kills P
o
ste
r
T
h
e
A
rtS
k
ills
P
o
s
te
rP
ro
je
c
t
Id
e
a
B
o
o
k
T
h
e
A
rtS
k
ills

P
o
s
te
r P
ro
je
c
t Id
e
a
B
o
o
k
T
h
e
A
rtS
k
ills
P
o
s
te
r
T
h
e
A
rtS
k
ills
P
o
s
te
rP
ro
je
c
t
Id
e
a
B
o
o
k
T
h
e
A
rtS
k
ills

P
o
s
te
r P
ro
je
c
t Id
e
a
B
o
o
k
T
h
e
A
rtS
k
ills
P
o
s
te
r
FOUR MAIN IMAGES or
ELEMENTS
30
The text will goes on
this side and that side
Poster Title
text text text text text text text text text
P
o
s
t
e
r

T
i
t
l
e
Outline your images in shapes to
emphasize your poster's theme.
26
27
This would be a great layout for any
poster with a
"before and after" theme.
Poster Project IdeaBook The
ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster Project
IdeaBook The ArtSkills
Poster The ArtSkills
PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills
Poster Project IdeaBook The ArtSkills
Poster
PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills
Poster
Poster Project IdeaBook The
IdeaBook The ArtSkills
Poster The ArtSkills
31
P
o
s
t
e
r

T
i
t
l
e

P
o
s
t
e
r t
i
t
l
e
28
Arching your title over a large
image is an artistic way to get your
audience's attention.
This layout would work nicely
with a poster on any group of 4.
(Seasons, winds, directions, etc.)
29
The ArtSkills Poster The
ArtSkills PosterProject Idea
BookThe ArtSkills
The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea BookThe ArtSkills Poster Project IdeaBook The ArtSkills Poster
BookThe ArtSkills
32
Poster Title
This is Greeked out
text section
that I am using for
an
examples.
This poster
uses four
photos
or pictures.
This is Greeked out
text section
that I am using for
an
examples.
This poster
uses four
photos
or pictures.
This is Greeked out
text section
that I am using for
an
examples.
This poster
uses four
photos
or pictures.
This is Greeked out
text section
that I am using for
an
examples.
This poster
uses four
photos
or pictures.
Poster Title
sub-heading
Switch from horizontal to vertical
or from square to round images
for an instant change to
your poster.
30
31
Poster Project IdeaBookThe
ArtSkills Poster The
Project IdeaBookThe
Project IdeaBookThe
ArtSkills Poster
Project IdeaBookThe
Project IdeaBookThe
ArtSkills Poster
Project IdeaBookThe
Project IdeaBookThe
ArtSkills Poster
Project IdeaBookThe
Project IdeaBookThe
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills Poster The
ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills Poster
33
Poster Title
Add a border in a color that
coordinates with your images for a
finished look.
32
TI P: Sketch layout options like
these using your own poster
title to help you choose your
favorite poster design.
34
NOTE: Posters using many
images can seem easier to make
because there is less to write.
That is all the more reason to
pay special attention to making
good captions and titles on
multi-image posters.
Poster title
33
A simple layout can be jazzed up
with thick borders around
your images.
The ArtSkills
PosterProject
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
IdeaBook
The ArtSkills
PosterProject
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
IdeaBook
FIVE MAIN IMAGES or
ELEMENTS
35
be super fantastic.
DESCRIPTION
POSTER TITLE
Poster Title
text text
text text
text text
text text
sub-header
34
35
Accent simple images and make
them appear to have depth with the
hint of a shadow as in this template.
The ArtSkills PosterProject Idea Book The
PosterProject Idea Book The ArtSkills
Poster
Idea Book The ArtSkills
The ArtSkills
PosterProject
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project
IdeaBook The
Book The ArtSkills Poster Project
36

P
o
s
t
e
r
t
i
t
l
e
P
o
s
t
e
r

t
i
t
l
e
36
37
Apply your images in a shape or
design of their own to emphasize
your poster's theme or add visual
interest.
Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster Project
Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
37
poster title
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
Use your images to create a "frame"
for your poster text.
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
Project Idea Book
TI P: Great sources for poster
images include magazines,
newspapers, catalogs, advertise-
ments and product packaging.
38
38
Poster Title
text text text text text text text
Poster Title
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text text text text text text text text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
39
40
Depending on the size of your
images and the amount of your text,
you can separate your pictures or
overlap them, as in a collage.
The ArtSkills Poster Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster The
ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster The
ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster The
ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book
The ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills
Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster The
ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills
Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster The
Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster
39
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
Poster title
Poster Title
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
text text
41
Use images of varying sizes to add
some visual interest to your poster.
42
This layout would be useful for
a comparison poster.
(Political candidates, brand names,
favorite candies, etc.)
The ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
40
be super fantastic.
POSTER TITLE
Poster Title
43
A horizontal layout is often more
convenient when you have many
images to display on your poster.
44
Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea Book The ArtSkills
Project Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
41
Poster Title
Poster Title
text text text text text text





Using your images as a top and
bottom border for your poster
makes an instant "frame" for
your text.
Poster
Poster The ArtSkills Poster
Poster Project Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Poster The ArtSkills Poster
ArtSkills Poster
45
46
SIX OR MORE MAIN
IMAGES or ELEMENTS
42
Poster Title



Poster Title
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text

This would be a good layout
for comparing and contrasting two
authors, political parties, musical
styles, etc.
47
48
I magine this layout for a poster on a
the Battle of Gettysburg, with the
center image as a map of the
battlefield and the small images as
photos of the generals and their
flags.
Poster Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
Idea Book The
ArtSkills Poster
Project Idea
Book The
43
text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text
Poster Title
Poster Title




sub-header
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
text text text
49
50
Poster Project The
Poster Project The
The ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book
The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills
Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills Poster Project Idea
Book The ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster The ArtSkills
Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills Poster Project Idea Book The ArtSkills
Poster Project The ArtSkills
ArtSkills Poster Project Idea
Book The ArtSkills Poster
Project
Poster Project The ArtSkills
ArtSkills Poster Project Idea
Book The ArtSkills Poster
Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
The ArtSkills
Poster Project
44
This is
for the
time-
line.
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great
to add
to the
This
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time-
line.
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the
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line.
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line.
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POSTER TITLE
51
Horizontal layouts are great for
timeline posters. They also work
well for family trees.
Turn the poster vertically and you
have a good way to set up a
contribution or donation progress
poster or a sales success chart.
TI P: These templates are shown
as guides. Use your judgement
and the limits of your materials
to help make your layout
decisions. Good luck!
The ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
The ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
Project Idea
Book The
ArtSkills
Poster
45
BRAI NSTORMI NG!
Session 2
Co n grat u l at i o n s! Yo u ar e al m o st h al f w ay
t h er e. U se t h e l i n es b el ow t o j o t d ow n
so m e i d eas yo u ve c o m e u p w i t h al o n g t h e
w ay.
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
4. ___________________________________
5. ___________________________________
6. ___________________________________
7. ___________________________________
8. ___________________________________
9. ___________________________________
10. __________________________________
46
Choose a back-
ground to emphasize
your poster theme.
Add a border to
frame your poster.
Boost your poster s
attractiveness with
add-ons.
Be creative in finding
decorative items for
your poster.
47
CHAPTER FOUR:
CREATIVE ELEMENTS
Cr eat i ve el em en t s ar e t h o se p ar t s o f yo u r
p o st er w h i ch m ak e i t st an d o u t an d at t rac t
at t en t i o n . Th ese ad d ed t o u ch es h ave m any
u ses!
Th ey c an u n i f y yo u r p o st er, d raw i n yo u r
au d i en c e an d c r eat e a l ast i n g i m age. Th i s
i s yo u r ch an c e t o W O W t h e au d i en c e,
m ak e t h e sal e o r grab t h e A !
Th e sky ' s t h e l i m i t w h en i t c o m es t o f i n d -
i n g i n sp i rat i o n f o r c r eat i ve el em en t s f o r
yo u r p o st er.
Read o n f o r gr eat ex am p l es o f h ow t o
m ak e a f u n an d m em o rab l e p o st er.
TI P: With all areas of poster
design and decoration, remember to
be resourceful with what you already
have on hand! Open that junk
drawer where random items accu-
mulate and raid it for a treasure
trove of cheap, handy add-ons!
48
BACKGROUNDS
A d d i n g a b ack gr o u n d t o yo u r p o st er c an
m ak e i t m o r e ap p eal i n g an d ease t h e
w o r r y o f h ow yo u ar e go i n g t o f i l l t h at b i g
w h i t e sp ac e o t h er w i se k n ow n as yo u r
p o st er b o ar d .
W h et h er yo u u se p at t er n s, i l l u st rat i o n s,
m u t ed o r b r i gh t c o l o r s, b ack gr o u n d s
c an c r eat e a m o r e u n i f i ed an d p o l i sh ed
f i n i sh ed p r o d u c t , an d i n st an t l y en h an c e
t h e ap p earan c e o f yo u r p o st er.
TI P: Remember that back-
grounds are meant to be just that
in the background. Your back-
ground should not compete with or
overpower your titles, text or main
images.
49
BACKGROUND I DEAS
Th e si m p l est b ack gr o u n d c an b e
c r eat ed by at t ach i n g c o n st r u c t i o n p ap er t o
yo u r p o st er i n a c o l o r f u l p at t er n .
O t h er easy b ack gr o u n d s c an b e
m ad e by c u t t i n g c o n st r u c t i o n p ap er i n t o
sh ap es r el evan t t o yo u r t o p i c . Th e sh ap es
w i l l h el p i d en t i f y t h e t h em e o f yo u r p o st er
f r o m a f ar d i st an c e an d p r ov i d e a c o l o r f u l
b ack gr o u n d .
Si m p l e sy m b o l s c an al so b e u sed as a
b ack gr o u n d f o r yo u r p o st er t o c r eat e a
v i su al t i e t o yo u r t h em e. Th i n k o f any
sy m b o l o r i m age w h i ch b r i n gs t o m i n d t h e
t h em e o f yo u r p o st er. Th e p o ssi b i l i t i es f o r
t h i s ar e en d l ess.
For Example:
N at i o n s: O f f i c i al f l ag, m ap
M u si c : St af f w i t h t r eb l e o r b ass c l ef
A gr i c u l t u r e: Co r n f i el d , c ow s
Sc i en c e: M i c r o sc o p e
Ro m an c e: Cu p i d , h ear t s
Po i so n : Sk u l l & c r o ssb o n es
M y st er y : M agn i f y i n g gl ass
I n d u st r y : Sm o k est ack s
Sp o r t s: O l y m p i c Ri n gs
50
CHECK OUT THESE
I NSPI RI NG I DEAS FOR
BACKGROUNDS:
To imply various natural themes:
M ak e a si m p l e b ack gr o u n d o f l ayer ed
c o l o r by u si n g c rayo n s, w at erc o l o r s, o r
p ast el s t o r em i n d yo u r au d i en c e o f a
m ead ow at su n r i se, a b each at su n set , a
c l ear an d st ar r y n i gh t sky, a f o r est v i st a,
a l u sh f ar m er s f i el d o r an ar i d d eser t .
To emphasize a geographical
theme:
En l ar ge a m ap o f yo u r t o p i c l o c at i o n
ei t h er i n c o l o r o r b l ack an d w h i t e an d
c over yo u r p o st er w i t h i t .
To give an antique or historical
feeling:
Cr eat e a si m p l e b ack gr o u n d w i t h a
c o l l age o f o l d p h o t o grap h s o r c o p i es o f
p h o t o grap h s. Th ese c an b e p h o t o grap h s
r el at ed sp ec i f i c al l y t o yo u r t o p i c o r
ran d o m p h o t o s t h at ar e f r o m a c er t ai n
p er i o d o f h i st o r y.
51
To convey a mechanical, robotic or
futuristic theme:
Cover yo u r b o ar d w i t h al u m i n u m f o i l ,
ei t h er sm o o t h l y f o r a sl eek ef f ec t o r af t er i t
h as b een c r u m p l ed u p an d t h en r eo p en ed
f o r a c r i n k l y ef f ec t . Th i s i d ea i s an i n st an t
eye- c at ch er f o r a p o st er t h at n eed s so m e
p i z z az z . G r eat f o r p o st er s ab o u t r ecy c l i n g!
Yo u c an al so p ai n t over f o i l f o r a u n i q u e
ef f ec t .
SOURCES FOR
BACKGROUND
MATERI ALS:
N ew sp ap er s / Co m i c s
W rap p i n g Pap er
Br ow n k raf t p ap er
A l u m i n u m Fo i l
Co l o r ed p l ast i c w rap (u se as b ack gr o u n d
o r as a t ran sp ar en t c over )
En l ar ged p h o t o c o p i ed i m ages
Co n st r u c t i o n Pap er
TI P: Enlarge and copy a color
map, photo or other image related
to your poster theme to create a
subtle background.
52
BORDERS
Ju st l o o k ar o u n d t o see h ow b o r d er s ar e
u sed ever y d ay t o ad d em p h asi s:
Th e w ay i n w h i ch t h e t r i m ar o u n d d o o r s
an d w i n d ow s i s p ai n t ed c an al t er t h e en t i r e
l o o k o f a r o o m .
Th e r i gh t (o r w r o n g) t y p e o f f ram e c an
h i gh l i gh t (o r c l ash w i t h ) a p ai n t i n g o r
p h o t o grap h .
Pi ck u p any m agaz i n e an d n o t i c e h ow
c o l o r ed b o r d er s ar e u sed t o m ak e c er t ai n
p h o t o s o r adver t i sem en t s st an d o u t o n t h e
p age.
Bo r d er s ar e j u st as i m p o r t an t an d u sef u l
i n p o st er- b o ar d i n g!
So m et h i n g as si m p l e as a p l ai n so l i d
c o l o r ed b o r d er c an ad d a h i gh l i gh t t o yo u r
p o st er an d u n i f y yo u r t h em e.
53
W h en ch o o si n g a b o r d er, t h i n k
o f c o l o r s, sh ap es o r sy m b o l s t h at
ar e asso c i at ed w i t h yo u r t o p i c !
Ch eck o u t t h i s l i st o f a f ew f u n
b o r d er i d eas t o get yo u r gear s
w o r k i n g!
D raw d o u b l e h el i x es f o r a
D N A p o st er.
U se yel l ow D o N o t Cr o ss
t ap e f o r a p o st er ab o u t a
my st er y o r f o r en si c
i nvest i gat i o n s.
A t t ach b u t t o n s t o a p o st er o n
sew i n g o r Bet sy Ro ss.
Tr i m a t ravel p o st er w i t h st r i p s
o f p o st c ar d s.
Ed ge a p o st er o n ch em i c al
ad d i t i ves w i t h em p t y ar t i f i c i al
sw eet en er p ack et s.
U se m agaz i n e i m ages f o r a
p o st er o n c el eb r i t i es, b o dy
i m age, f ash i o n , et c .
Ph o t o c o py i m ages o f f o r m er
p r esi d en t s f o r a p o st er o n
p o l i t i c s.
A d d an al u m i n u m f o i l b o r d er
t o p o st er s o n sp ac e, sc i en c e
an d r ecy c l i n g.
54
ADD-ONS, SHI MMER
& SHI NE and
DECORATI ON
Th i s i s h ow t o t u r n a so - so p o st er i n t o
a r eal w i n n er !
U se t h i s l i st o f sm al l an d i n ex p en si ve
i t em s as a sp r i n gb o ar d t o t h i n k o f h ow t o
j az z u p yo u r p o st er !
St i ck er s
Seq u i n s, t i n sel
G l i t t er
Pl ast i c b ead s, b au b l es
San d
Co n f et t i
M agaz i n e c l i p p i n gs
Pl ay i n g c ar d s
Leaves, p i n ec o n es, f l ow er s, et c .
St am p s
Ri b b o n
Fab r i c
Lac e
55
BRAI NSTORMI NG!
Session 3
W h o k n ow s w h at yo u m i gh t f i n d i n yo u r
c ab i n et , sew i n g k i t , j u n k d raw er o r c raf t
b o x ?
Li st b el ow so m e o f yo u r f u n f i n d s an d
m o r e i d eas f o r p o st er ex t ras.
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
4. ___________________________________
5. ___________________________________
6. ___________________________________
7. ___________________________________
8. ___________________________________
9. ___________________________________
10. __________________________________
11. __________________________________
12. __________________________________
13. __________________________________
14. __________________________________
15. __________________________________
16. __________________________________
17. __________________________________
18. __________________________________
19. __________________________________
20. __________________________________
56
Use colors that are
appealing to the eye
and reinforce your
poster s theme.
Make sure the
color of your title
lettering is visible
on your background.
57
CHAPTER 5:
COLOR BASICS
Th e m any var i et i es an d b r i l l i an t u ses o f
c o l o r m ak e i t o n e o f t h e m any j oy s o f l i f e.
U n d er st an d i n g i t s gl o r i o u s c o m p l ex i t i es
w o u l d t ak e a l i f et i m e o f d evo t ed st u dy.
H ow ever, t h er e ar e so m e ver y h an dy
an d si m p l e t h i n gs t o r em em b er ab o u t
c o l o r, p ar t i c u l ar l y w h en yo u ar e p o st er-
b o ar d i n g.
Co n t rast i n g c o l o r s (e. g. , l i gh t o n d ar k
an d d ar k o n l i gh t ) ar e t h e m o st v i si b l e.
U n l ess yo u ar e w o r k i n g o n a ver y
d ar k o r b l ack p o st er b o ar d , avo i d u si n g
yel l ow i n yo u r l et t er i n g.
A d u l l o r m u t ed c o l o r i s b est f o r a
b ack gr o u n d b ec au se m o r e c o l o r s st an d o u t
o n i t .
To o m any c o l o r s c an sp o i l t h e m i x !
D o n o t u se m o r e t h an 2 m ai n c o l o r s o n
yo u r p o st er.
Co l o r s i n t h e sam e f am i l y w o r k w el l
t o get h er l i gh t an d d ar k b l u e, l i gh t an d
d ar k gr een , et c .
See Page 63 for a review of the
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary
color wheels.
58
COLORS AS FEELI NGS
Co l o r s c r eat e f eel i n gs an d p hy si c al
sen sat i o n s an d c an al so c o nvey c er t ai n
ac t i o n s o r m ovem en t .
Br i gh t c o l o r s ar e em o t i o n al l y ac t i ve
an d seem t o m ove f o r w ar d w h i l e c o o l
d u l l er c o l o r s ar e m o r e p assi ve an d b est
u sed as a b ack gr o u n d .
Co l o r s m ak e u s f eel a c er t ai n w ay.
Th i n k ab o u t t h e f eel i n g, f l avo r, o r
em o t i o n yo u w o u l d l i k e yo u r p o st er t o
c o nvey. Th en ch eck o u t t h e l i st b el ow t o
see h ow yo u c an u se c o l o r t o h el p
em p h asi z e yo u r m essage!
Red
Ex c i t em en t , en er gy, p assi o n , d esi r e,
sp eed , st r en gt h , p ow er, h eat , l ove,
aggr essi o n , d an ger, f i r e, b l o o d , w ar,
v i o l en c e, i n t en si t y, c el eb rat i o n , l u ck ,
st o p o r d an ger, Ch r i st m as an d Val en t i n es
D ay.
Yellow
59
Yellow
Joy, h ap p i n ess, o p t i m i sm , i d eal i sm ,
i m agi n at i o n , h o p e, su n sh i n e, su m m er,
go l d , p h i l o so p hy, d i sh o n est y, c ow ar d i c e,
b et rayal , j eal o u sy, d ec ei t , i l l n ess, h az ar d ,
w ar n i n g, j oy.
Blue
Peac e, t ran q u i l i t y, c al m , st ab i l i t y, h ar m o ny,
u n i t y, t r u st , t r u t h , c o n f i d en c e, c o n ser -
vat i sm , sec u r i t y, c l ean l i n ess, o r d er, l oyal t y,
sky, w at er, c o l d , t ech n o l o gy, d ep r essi o n ,
i m m o r t al i t y, m asc u l i n i t y, p r o t ec t i o n .
Orange
En er gy, b al an c e, w ar m t h , en t h u si asm ,
v i b ran cy, ex p an si ven ess, f l am b oyan cy,
au t u m n , H al l ow een .
TI P: Remember that colors can
inspire people. For example: Flag
colors, team uniforms, ribbons and
badges etc.
Green
N at u r e, env i r o n m en t , h eal t h , go o d l u ck ,
r en ew al , yo u t h , v i go r, sp r i n g, gen er o si t y,
f er t i l i t y, j eal o u sy, i n ex p er i en c e, env y, m i s-
f o r t u n e, go si gn al , St . Pat r i ck ' s D ay an d
Ch r i st m as.
Purple
Royal t y, n o b i l i t y, sp i r i t u al i t y, c er em o ny,
my st er y, t ran sf o r m at i o n , w i sd o m , en l i gh t -
en m en t .
Gray
Sec u r i t y, r el i ab i l i t y, i n t el l i gen c e, so m b er -
n ess, m o d est y, d i gn i t y, m at u r i t y, so l i d i t y,
p rac t i c al i t y, o l d age, sad n ess.
Brown
Ear t h , h ear t h , h o m e, o u t d o o r s, r el i ab i l i t y,
c o m f o r t , en d u ran c e, st ab i l i t y, si m p l i c i t y,
c o m f o r t , t r ees, n at u r e, au t u m n .
60
61
W
W
h
h
i
i
t
t
e
e
Rever en c e, p u r i t y, b l an k n ess, c l ean l i n ess,
p eac e, h u m i l i t y, p r ec i si o n , i n n o c en c e,
yo u t h , b i r t h , w i n t er, sn ow, go o d n ess,
m ar r i age, c o l d , c l i n i c al , st er i l e.
Black
Pow er, so p h i st i c at i o n , f o r m al i t y, el egan c e,
w eal t h , my st er y, f ear, ev i l , an o ny m i t y,
u n h ap p i n ess, d ep t h , st y l e, sad n ess,
r em o r se, an ger, u n d er gr o u n d , t ech n i c al ,
m o u r n i n g, d eat h .
62
VI SI BI LI TY
Yo u r f avo r i t e c o l o r s m ay b e p l easi n g t o
yo u , b u t n o t ever y c o l o r c o m b i n at i o n i s
r i gh t f o r p o st er m ak i n g.
See the chart bel ow to see col or combi -
nati ons ranked from most to l east vi si bl e.
Remember: Make your main
idea the brightest.
1. Black on yellow
2. Green on white
3. Blue on white
4. White on blue
5. Black on white
6. Yellow on black
7. White on red
8. White on orange
9. White on black
10. Red on yellow
11. Green on red
12. Red on green
Most Visible
Least Visible
63
THE COLOR WHEEL
PRI M A RY CO LO RS ar e t h e t h r ee b asi c
h u es f r o m w h i ch al l o t h er c o l o r s ar e
f o r m ed .
RED YELLOW
BLUE
SECO N D A RY CO LO RS ar e f o r m ed by m i x -
i n g t w o ad j ac en t p r i m ar y c o l o r s.
GREEN PURPLE
ORANGE
TERTI A RY CO LO RS ar e f o r m ed by
m i x i n g a p r i m ar y c o l o r w i t h an ad j ac en t
sec o n d ar y c o l o r.
YELLOW-ORANGE
RED-ORANGE
YELLOW
-GREEN
RED
-PURPLE
BLUE-PURPLE
BLUE-GREEN
64
Measure twice, write
once.
Be considerate of
your audience -
make your text large
and easy to read.
Think of your title
and image captions
as advertisements
for your poster.
65
CHAPTER 6:
LETTERING & CENTERING
Rel ax ! I t ' s n o t as h ar d as yo u t h i n k .
CENTERI NG.
Example: Happy Birthday as a
h o r i z o n t al t i t l e o n a 2 8 p o st er b o ar d .
1. Fi n d t h e m i d d l e o f yo u r t i t l e sp ac e an d
m ar k i t w i t h a d o t .
Example: Th e m i d d l e o f 2 8 i s 1 4 .
2. Fi n d t h e m i d d l e o f yo u r t i t l e. Th i s i s
t h e p o i n t w h er e t h er e ar e t h e sam e n u m b er
o f ch arac t er s b ef o r e an d af t er i t .
Example: The mi ddl e of Happy Birthday
i s b et w een t h e B an d t h e i (t h er e ar e 7
ch arac t er s b ef o r e an d 7 ch arac t er s af t er
t h i s p o i n t ).
3. St ar t i n g at t h e c en t er p o i n t , f i l l i n t h e
l et t er s o f yo u r t i t l e.
Example: Pu t t h e B t o t h e l ef t o f t h e m i d -
d l e p o i n t an d t h e i t o t h e r i gh t o f t h e m i d -
d l e p o i n t , c o n t i n u i n g u n t i l al l l et t er s an d
sp ac es ar e p l ac ed .
CENTERI NG TI PS
D o n t f o r get t h at sp ac es an d p u n c t u at i o n
ar e c o u n t ed as ch arac t er s.
I f t h e t o t al n u m b er o f ch arac t er s i s an
o d d n u m b er, c en t er yo u r m i d d l e t i t l e
ch arac t er o n t o p o f t h e c en t er p o i n t an d
w o r k o u t f r o m t h er e.
U se t h i s sam e t ech n i q u e w h en c en t er i n g
yo u r p h o t o o r i m age c ap t i o n s.
66
TITLE
COLOR. Rev i ew t h e v i si b i l i t y ch ar t o n
Page 6 2 t o assu r e yo u m ak e t h e r i gh t c o l o r
ch o i c e f o r yo u r t i t l e an d c ap t i o n
l et t er i n g.
SPELLI NG & GRAMMAR. I t m ay so u n d
t er r i b l y o bv i o u s, b u t t r i p l e- ch eck i n g yo u r
sp el l i n g an d gram m ar b ef o r e yo u gl u e any -
t h i n g o n t o yo u r p o st er i s t i m e w el l sp en t !
A l l yo u r h ar d w o r k c an b e w ash ed aw ay
by a gl ar i n g sp el l i n g er r o r i n yo u r t i t l e.
En l i st an o t h er p ai r o f eyes f o r h el p w i t h
t h i s j o b i f yo u c an .
SHAPE & DESI GN. Th i s i s t h e f u n p ar t !
M ak e yo u r p o st er m o r e at t rac t i ve an d h el p
r ei n f o rc e yo u r p o st er ' s t h em e w i t h t h e
sh ap e an d d esi gn o f yo u r t i t l e an d i m age
l et t er i n g.
Ch eck o u t t h ese p ages t o see j u st h ow
m u ch a si m p l e ch an ge i n l et t er i n g st y l e
c an al t er t h e ap p earan c e o f t h e sam e
w o r d . U se t h e ex am p l es as a sp r i n gb o ar d
t o l au n ch yo u r ow n c r eat i ve l et t er i n g
i d eas.
Straightforward bold lettering in a
solid color is always a safe bet and
assures that your title is legible from
far away.
67
T T I L E
T
T
I
L
E
Box the individual letters of your
title or caption. Remember to keep
your colors coordinated for a
finished look.
Add a formal or elegant touch
with script lettering. This can also
be used to create an old-fashioned
feeling.
Use yard sale price stickers as a
vibrant and uniform background to
highlight your letters!
68
Title
This fancy script lettering with a
border of hearts implies romance.
Useful for anything from a poster
announcing the Valentine's Day
Dance, to a sign celebrating an
anniversary or a poster on
Shakespeare's sonnets.
Dashes and dots can be used to add
a little zing to your title.
69
T
E
L
I
T

Slightly jumbled letters in bold
colors are perfect for a fun or playful
title. I magine this style on a sign
recruiting members to join a club, or
on a poster celebrating a birthday.
TITLE
Notice how the angle of these letters
gives the impression of movement or
speed. This is the same method used
in our "Quick Lists" at the beginning
of each chapter.
A poster that already has many
images or other "busy-ness" can
benefit from simple bold lettering.
70
A A A
Notice how the same letter, even in
the same size and shape, takes on a
different appearance when you
change its surroundings or contents.
A border around your title can
wordlessly emphasize your poster's
theme.
TITLE
71
Put someone's name in lights or
announce an upcoming performance
with marquis-style lettering!
TITLE
ITLE
T
TITLE
Simple white letters can be very bold
especially when against a vibrant
background.
72
TITLE
Enclose your title in a memorable
shape to give instant spark to your
poster.
Speech balloons add fun and
animation to any poster.
73
TITLE
A NOTE ABOUT
COMPUTER FONTS:
Even i f yo u d o n ' t h ave yo u r ow n c o m -
p u t er at h o m e, yo u ar e al m o st gu aran t eed
t o h ave ac c ess t o o n e t h r o u gh a sch o o l ,
c o m m u n i t y c en t er o r a l i b rar y. Th i s m ean s
yo u p r o b ab l y al so h ave ac c ess t o a "f o n t
l i b rar y " avai l ab l e o n m o st w o r d p r o c essi n g
p r o gram s.
Ju st as w i t h t h e ex am p l es w e' ve gi ven i n
t h i s ch ap t er, f o n t s f r o m t h ese p r o gram s c an
ad d "f eel i n g" t o yo u r w o r d s. Yo u c an f i n d
m any f o n t st y l es, f r o m ch i l d l i k e t o el egan t ,
5 0 ' s st y l e t o f u t u r i st i c , an d b u b b l e- st y l e t o
sc r i p t .
Ex p er i m en t w i t h yo u r p r o gram an d
ei t h er u se t h ese f o n t s as an i n sp i rat i o n f o r
yo u r ow n ar t w o r k o r p r i n t t i t l es an d
c ap t i o n s d i r ec t l y f r o m yo u r c o m p u t er.
Accent your poster title by adding
any small symbol which reinforces
your theme, such as animal tracks,
peace signs, shapes, etc.
74
THI NK!
BREATHE!
SMI LE!
REPEAT
ABOVE AS
NEEDED!
CHAPTER SEVEN:
CHAPTER SEVEN:
SPEECH & TIME SAVERS
Yo u ve go t a p o st er d u e an d p o ssi b l y a
p r esen t at i o n t o gi ve! Fo l l ow al o n g w i t h u s
an d yo u l l get d o n e q u i ck l y an d l o o k d ar n
go o d w h i l e yo u r e d o i n g i t !
TI ME-SAVERS
A sk j u st ab o u t any ac t i ve p er so n so m e-
t h i n g t h ey w i sh t h ey h ad m o r e o f an d
yo u l l get a sm al l b u t ver y i m p o r t an t w o r d
as a r esp o n se: TI M E!
Co n si d er t h i s sec t i o n o u r gi f t t o yo u o f
t h at p r ec i o u s c o m m o d i t y.
1. Even i f yo u o n l y h ave an h o u r, p l an
w h at yo u w i l l d o w i t h i t .
2. N o m at t er h ow over w h el m i n g t h e t ask ,
D O N O T PA N I C! Th e t i m e an d en er gy i t
t ak es t o st r ess ab o u t yo u r p o st er w o u l d b e
m u ch b et t er sp en t d o i n g so m e q u i et t h i n k -
i n g an d d eep b r eat h i n g.
3. Be su r e t o h ave A LL yo u r n ec essar y
p o st er su p p l i es o n h an d . N o t h i n g i s as
f r u st rat i n g as h av i n g t o r u n o u t an d get
so m et h i n g yo u f o r go t , esp ec i al l y o n c e
yo u ve st ar t ed p o st er c o n st r u c t i o n .
75
What will YOU do with
your free time?
76
4. Keep yo u r w o r k ar ea n eat an d o r gan -
i z ed . I t s u n l i k el y yo u ve go t t i m e t o go
search i n g f o r su p p l i es o r c l ean i n g u p sp i l l s.
5. Keep a d r y erase b o ar d o r t ab l et n ear by
f o r w r i t i n g d ow n i d eas t h at c o m e t o m i n d
so t h ey ar e al w ay s r i gh t o n h an d .
6. K. I . S. S. Keep I t Si m p l e St u p i d ! I t s
al w ay s go o d t o t h i n k b i g b u t n o t h i n g
sc r eam s w ast ed t i m e l i k e f an t asi es o f
m ak i n g a 3 - D p o st er.
7. Tw o i s en o u gh ! I f yo u ar e p r essed f o r
t i m e, st i ck w i t h 2 c o l o r s an d 2 t ex t f o n t s.
To o m u ch m o r e t h an t h at c an en d u p m u d -
d l i n g yo u r m essage any w ay.
8. Pr i n t i m ages, t ex t o r t i t l es d i r ec t l y o n t o
p r i n t ed l ab el s o r o t h er ad h esi ve p ap er t o
save t h e w o r k o f gl u i n g t h em o n t o yo u r
p o st er b o ar d .
9. Pr i n t t ex t d i r ec t l y o n t o n eo n o r p ast el
c o py p ap er f o r an i n st an t b u r st o f c o l o r.
10. U se p r e- c u t l et t er s, sc rap b o o k i n g
st i ck er s o r v i ny l p r ess- o n l et t er s t o m ak e
q u i ck an d u n i f o r m l et t er s.
What will YOU do with
your free time?
77
PRESENTATI ON TI PS
Li st en , i f yo u ar e f i r st i n l i n e f o r k arao k e,
feel free to ski p these ti ps.
Bu t , i f yo u get n er vo u s w h en yo u ar e
p i ck ed t o say t h e p l ed ge o f al l egi an c e yo u
m u st r ead t h i s sec t i o n .
I f yo u ar e n o t c o m f o r t ab l e p er f o r m i n g,
r ead o n f o r h el p o n h ow t o f ak e i t .
78
Tip #1 PRACTI CE OUT LOUD
Practice may not make perfect, but it
sure does help! You might think you
are comfortable with your presenta-
tion because you have read it over
and over again in your head but
BEWARE!! Speaking out loud, plus
nerves makes for a very bad presen-
tation. Find someone who loves you
and can stand listening to you prac-
tice. Aim for 10 times, or until your
audience starts throwing things at you!
Tip #2 NO I Fs ANDs OR BUTs
We can all sympathize with someone
who is stumbling through a sen-
tence. I f you lose your place or get
nervous, just pause a second, take a
breath and restart your sentence.
Avoid the tendency to fill in with
speech bloopers. (Um Er Ahh
Uhh)
Tip #3 BODY LANGUAGE
Shifting your weight from leg to leg
is for gym class. Practice your
speech in a mirror or even better on
a video tape. You wont believe what
your hands and feet are doing while
you are speaking.
79
Tip #4 TI MI NG When you are
practicing your speech (out loud to
that sweet deaf old aunt), time your-
self, especially if your speech must
take a minimum amount of time.
S-L-O-W D-O-W-N!
Nerves can make you speak so fast
that you will be finished with your
presentation and even YOU wont
know what you said. Take your time
and keep breathing.
Tip #5 EYE CONTACT Make
sure that at least several times dur-
ing your speech you look up to see
your audience. Eye contact keeps
people interested in what you are
saying. Pick a pleasant face in the
front row, and another near the rear
to match eyes with every now and
again. This small tip will make you
seem confident and make you look
like a pro.
80
Tip #6 SMI LE! SMI LE! SMI LE!
When you make that eye contact,
dont forget to smile. I t really I S con-
tagious and theres nothing like
looking out at a smiling audience to
encourage you.
Tip #7 I NDEX CARDS I f you
are allowed to use index cards for
your oral presentation, make sure to:
Number them in order in case of
butterfingers!
Attach them together with a
metal ring!
Write clearly and LARGELY!
Look up while you are speaking
eye contact and smiles - dont just
stare at the cards and read your
presentation.
Abbreviate, but not so much that
you forget what you originally
meant.
Tip #8 EXPECT THE
UNEXPECTED - Take it all in stride.
Remember: even when things do not
go as you planned, KEEP SMI LI NG!
Tip #9 SUMMARI ZE AND
RESTATE - Repeat your most impor-
tant points when you are done, and
if you are running short on time,
offer a question and answer period.
(Remember to act like you planned
it!)
Tip #10 USE YOUR I MAGI NA-
TI ON - This is the best time-tested
tip for nerves. Picture your audience
in their underwear.
81
NOTE: This may cause uncontrol-
lable giggling, so attempt this only if
you are desperate.
82
List your top ten poster
topic ideas.
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________
4. ___________________________________
5. ___________________________________
6. ___________________________________
7. ___________________________________
8. ___________________________________
9. ___________________________________
10. __________________________________
83
CHAPTER 8:
POSTER TOPICS
Th i s i s t h e p l ac e t o go i f yo u ar e h av i n g
t r o u b l e t u r n i n g yo u r gen eral t o p i c i n t o an
i d ea t h at i s su i t ab l e f o r a p o st er.
Fo r i n st an c e, yo u k n ow yo u h ave a b aby
sh ow er t o p l an o r an assi gn m en t i n
Bi o l o gy, b u t yo u ar e l ack i n g i n sp i rat i o n f o r
p o st er c o n c ep t s.
O n t h e n ex t f ew p ages ar e l i st s o f p o st er
t o p i c s ar ran ged by st u dy ar ea. A d ap t
t h ese su ggest i o n s t o su i t yo u r sp ec i f i c
assi gn m en t .
100 GENERAL SCHOOL
POSTER TOPI CS BY
CATEGORY
BI OCHEMI STRY, MEDI CI NE,
HEALTH, MI CROBI OLOGY
1 . Effects of arti fi ci al sw eeteners on the body
2 . Bac t er i o l o gy an d h ow i t af f ec t s o u r
d ai l y l i ves
3 . Th e r o l e o f d i et an d ex erc i se o n h u m an
b l o o d p r essu r e
4 . Bo dy t em p erat u r e var i at i o n s by gen d er,
age an d rac e
5 . Fi n ger p r i n t p at t er n s an d t h ei r u se i n
i d en t i f i c at i o n
6 . Fu n gi t h e i n c r ed i b l e ed i b l e, m ed i c i n al
p l an t
7 . Geneti c combi nati ons Punnett Squares
84
8 . O b esi t y rat e c o m p ar i so n s over d ec ad es
an d U SA v s. Eu r o p e
9 . Pr o t ei n m et ab o l i sm i n t h e h u m an b o dy
i t s r o l e an d i m p o r t an c e
1 0 . Th e d i sc over y o f v i t am i n s an d t h ei r
r o l e i n h u m an n u t r i t i o n
1 1 . Ep i d em i o l o gy t h e f asc i n at i n g st u dy o f
d i sease (p i ck o n e an d f o l l ow i t s c o u r se
t h r o u gh h i st o r y )
1 2 . Fo r en si c p at h o l o gy i t s u ses i n
m o d er n d i sease p r even t i o n
EARTH AND SPACE
SCI ENCE
1 3 . Ear t h q u ak e rat e ch an ges c o m p ar ed t o
p o p u l at i o n gr ow t h
1 4 . Th e r o l e o f gr een h o u se gases i n gl o b al
w ar m i n g, t em p erat u r e ch an ges
1 5 . W at er t em p erat u r e ch an ges i n o c ean s
an d l ak es
1 6 . Th e st u dy o f l ava
1 7 . H ow Car b o n - 1 4 d at i n g w o r k s
1 8 . H ow sed i m en t ar y r o ck i s f o r m ed
1 9 . So i l c o n t am i n at i o n rat es by st at e /
r el at ed d i sease rat es
2 0 . Po l l u t i o n an d i t s ef f ec t o n t h e v i si b i l i t y
o f c el est i al b o d i es
2 1 . G al i l eo an d su n sp o t s
2 2 . W eat h er h u r r i c an es, f l o o d s, d r o u gh t s,
t su n am i s
2 3 . W at er p o l l u t i o n rat es by i n d u st r i al
ar eas
2 4 . A l t er n at i ve f u el s r en ew ab l e en er gy
so l ar p ow er, hy b r i d veh i c l es
85
MATHEMATI CS
2 5 . St o ck M ar k et - Bu si n ess m at h
2 6 . M at h em at i c al p at t er n s i n m u si c
2 7 . Th e d ai l y u ses o f al go r i t h m s
2 8 . Th e r o l e o f st at i st i c s i n f o r ec ast i n g
2 9 . Py t h ago r ean Th eo r em u ses i n
arch i t ec t u r e, saf et y
3 0 . Th e w o n d er o f Fi b o n ac c i s N u m b er
3 1 . Th e A l geb ra Pr o j ec t eq u al i t y i n
m at h em at i c s
3 2 . Bu f f o n s N eed l e p r o b ab i l i t y p r o b l em
3 3 . G eo m et r y Eu c l i d , u ses i n p ack agi n g,
v i d eo gam e p r o gram m i n g
PHYSI CAL SCI ENCE
3 4 . Th e ar t an d sc i en c e o f n av i gat i o n
3 5 . H ow t o est ab l i sh el evat i o n f r o m
sea l evel
3 6 . St o r m t rack i n g an d t o r n ad o al l ey s
3 7 . W h at m at er i al s c an b e ch ar ged w i t h
st at i c el ec t r i c i t y ?
3 8 . H ow i s p ai n t af f ec t ed by t em p erat u r e
ch an ges?
3 9 . H ow t o d esi gn a st r o n g b r i d ge
4 0 . A er o dy n am i c s l i f t , d rag, p r o p el l er
si z e, f r i c t i o n
4 1 . Th e r o l e o f f er m en t at i o n i n p r o d u c t i o n
o f al c o h o l
4 2 . H ow m u ch h eat i s r eq u i r ed t o rai se t h e
t em p erat u r e o f d i f f er en t su b st an c es an
eq u al am o u n t ?
4 3 . Th e h i st o r y o f sh el l s evo l u t i o n ,
geo l o gi c al h i st o r y
86
4 4 . Rel at i o n sh i p s b et w een vo l u m e, sh ap e
an d ar ea
4 5 . W h i ch p o p c o r n b ran d p o p s m o st , p o p s
f ast est ? W hy ?
ENGI NEERI NG
4 6 . Th e m o st aer o dy n am i c b i k e w h eel
4 7 . Th e b est h u l l sh ap es f o r b o at s
4 8 . Bu i l d a b et t er m o u se t rap
4 9 . W i n d ef f ec t s b et w een t al l b u i l d i n gs
5 0 . Fl i gh t A n gl es, w i n g p o si t i o n s,
m o d el i n g o f b i r d p at t er n s
5 1 . Can al s an d l o ck s as en gi n eer i n g f eat s
i n m o d er n t ravel
5 2 . W i n d m i l l s h i st o r y, d evel o p m en t ,
c u r r en t u se, f u t u r e u se
5 3 . Li v i n g w i t h so l ar en er gy
5 4 . W h i ch m et al s c o n d u c t h eat b est ? W hy ?
5 5 . D esi gn i n g t h e saf est au t o m o b i l es
5 6 . En gi n eer i n g i n en t er t ai n m en t :
b o o m eran gs, f r i sb ees an d t h e sl i n ky
5 7 . Th e gr ow t h an d h i st o r y o f ar t i f i c i al
i n t el l i gen c e
5 8 . Ch al l en ges o f r o b o t i c ex p l o rat i o n
5 9 . Co m p u t er m o d el i n g f o r m ed i c al
advan c es
6 0 . Co m p u t er si m u l at i o n o f f l i gh t s /
ac c i d en t s / em er gen c i es
6 1 . Bi o m et r i c s i n t h e u se o f h u m an
i d en t i f i c at i o n
87
6 2 . Vo c al w ave p at t er n s i n d i v i d u al
d i f f er en c es
6 3 . Bi o - en gi n eer i n g f o r t h e f u t u r e
6 4 . Co m p u t er M o d el i n g: H ow d o sn ow
c r y st al s gr ow ?
BOTANY AND
ZOOLOGY
6 5 . W hy d o b ees m ak e h o n ey ?
6 6 . W h at ar e so m e n at u ral h eal i n g
p r o p er t i es o f h er b s?
6 7 . A r e o r gan i c o r ch em i c al f er t i l i z er s
m o r e ef f ec t i ve?
6 8 . H ow d o es w at er t em p erat u r e af f ec t t h e
c o l o r o f f i sh ?
6 9 . H ow d o es c o n t r o l l ed b u r n i n g o r o t h er
f i r e af f ec t f o r est gr ow t h ?
7 0 . I n sec t s d o b l i n d an d si gh t ed f r u i t f l i es
h ave t h e sam e sen se o f sm el l ?
7 1 . H ow i s p l an t gr ow t h af f ec t ed by :
t em p erat u r e, rai n f al l , sec o n d h an d
sm o k e, el ec t r i c i t y, m agn et i sm ?
7 2 . H ow ar e seed s af f ec t ed by w i n d an d
f i r e? D o t h ey ger m i n at e i n sp ac e?
7 3 . W hy ar e so m any p eo p l e af rai d o f
sp i d er s? D o t h ey h u r t o r h el p u s?
7 4 . H ow d o es p h o t o sy n t h esi s ch an ge t h e
ai r q u al i t y o f a r o o m ?
7 5 . W h i ch p l an t s an d veget ab l es m ak e t h e
b est dyes?
7 6 . A n i m al H u sb an d r y Th e f u t u r e o f 4 H
c l u b s i n a c o m p u t er o r i en t ed w o r l d
88
LANGUAGES
I d eas f o r any l an gu age p o st er : h i st o r y,
d er i vat i ves, c o m m o n p h rases, c o u n t r y o f
o r i gi n , f am o u s l i t erat u r e
7 7 . Sp an i sh
7 8 . Fr en ch
7 9 . I t al i an
8 0 . G er m an
8 1 . Lat i n
HI STORY
8 2 . A n c i en t h i st o r y t i m el i n e
8 3 . Eu r o p ean c o u n t r y b o u n d ar y ch an ges
i n t h e l ast 5 0 year s
8 4 . Th e M i d d l e A ges c o at s o f ar m s an d
f l ags
8 5 . D i sc over i n g t h e N ew W o r l d
t rai l s/ m ap s o f var i o u s ex p l o r er s
8 6 . U . S. Ci v i l W ar sl aver y, ex p an si o n ,
b at t l es, gen eral s
8 7 . W o r l d W ar I m u si c an d p o et r y o f t h e
w ar, st at i st i c s & c asu al t i es
8 8 . W o r l d W ar I I b at t l e st rat egi es & i n f o ,
c o u n t r i es i nvo l ved , t i m el i n e
8 9 . Co l d W ar Cu b an m i ssi l e c r i si s,
Sov i et i nvasi o n o f A f gh an i st an
9 0 . M i d d l e East c o n f l i c t s t i m el i n e f r o m
an c i en t t o c u r r en t , r el i gi o u s h i st o r y
9 1 . Vi et n am W ar A m er i c an p ar t i c i p at i o n ,
f al l o u t f o r r et u r n i n g Vet s
89
GEOGRAPHY
9 2 . A SI A c u l t u r es, f o o d s, p eo p l e,
i n d u st r y
9 3 . A FRI CA h i st o r y, n at u r e, st r u ggl es,
sc i en t i f i c d i sc over i es
9 4 . N O RTH A M ERI CA n at i ve p eo p l e,
El l i s I sl an d , Fr en ch Can ad a
9 5 . SO U TH A M ERI CA l an gu ages,
rai n f o r est s, I n q u i si t i o n
9 6 . AU STRA LI A M ao r i , o p era h o u se,
rai n f o r est s, an i m al s
9 7 . EU RO PE A n c i en t h i st o r y, l an gu ages,
ex p o r t s, r el i gi o n s
9 8 . A N TA RCTI CA G eo grap hy, w i l d l i f e,
m et eo r s, d i n o sau r s, So u t h Po l e
9 9 . CEN TRA L A M ERI CA w i l d l i f e, an c i en t
p eo p l es, c u l t u r e
1 0 0 . PRI M E M ERI D I A N G r een w i ch ,
En gl an d , l at i t u d e / l o n gi t u d e, t i m e
z o n es
OTHER POSTER TOPI CS
G A RAG E O R YA RD SA LES
CA R W A SH ES / FU N D RA I SERS
BA KE SA LES
RELI G I O U S EV EN TS
A N N O U N CEM EN TS
ATH LETI C EV EN TS
TEA M SU PPO RT PO STERS
SCO U T CO O KI E / PO PCO RN SA LES
TH EATRI CA L EV EN TS
M U SI CA L EV EN TS
W ELCO M E H O M E
SH O W ERS BA BY, W ED D I N G
H O M ECO M I N G / REU N I O N S
90
USING THE EMERGENCY
GUIDE:
Th i s i s a r ec i p e f o r m ak i n g a gr eat
p o st er i n j u st 6 0 m i n u t es. A d j u st t h e su g-
gest ed m i n u t es p er st ep t o f i t yo u r ac t u al
avai l ab l e t i m e.
Th e 6 0 - m i n u t e est i m at e st ar t s o n c e
yo u h ave yo u r t ex t an d i m ages r eady.
I f yo u d o n o t h ave yo u r t ex t an d
i m ages r eady, p ay ex t ra at t en t i o n t o t h e
t i p s an d q u i ck l i st s r ef er en c ed i n t h e ch ap -
t er s so yo u c an m ak e t h e m o st o u t o f w h at
yo u D O k n ow ab o u t yo u r t o p i c .
Fo l l ow t h e st ep s i n o r d er. Sk i p p i n g
ar o u n d w i l l t ak e m o r e t i m e, so m et h i n g yo u
c an n o t af f o r d t o w ast e r i gh t n ow.
Ch eck o u t t h e gr een Q u i ck Li st
p ages f ac i n g t h e st ar t o f each ch ap t er f o r
si m p l e su m m ar y i n st r u c t i o n s.
Fo r m o r e h el p o n H O W t o c o m p l et e
t h ese st ep s, f l i p t o t h e r ec o m m en d ed ch ap -
t er s an d p ages.
Next time, start earlier!
91
THE 60-MINUTE
EMERGENCY
POSTER GUIDE
1. ASSESS YOUR NEEDS
5 MI NUTES
Fi r st t h i n gs f i r st ! Keep t h e b asi c
r eq u i r em en t s o f yo u r p ar t i c u l ar p o st er i n
m i n d ! (I f yo u h ave a r u b r i c , f o l l ow i t ! )
W h at si z e d o es yo u r p o st er b o ar d h ave
t o b e?
W h o i s yo u r au d i en c e?
H ow m any i m ages o r so u rc es d o yo u
h ave t o u se?
W h at i s yo u r p o st er su p p o sed t o D O ?
(I n f o r m , m o t i vat e, c el eb rat e, et c . )
2. EQUI P YOUR WORKSPACE
5 MI NUTES
Pr o t ec t yo u r t ab l e, c o u n t er t o p , f l o o r o r
w al l w i t h a d r o p c l o t h , a l ayer o f
n ew sp ap er s o r an o l d sh eet . W o r k i n g
q u i ck l y o f t en r esu l t s i n a l i t t l e
ex t ra m ess!
G at h er yo u r p ai n t s, m ar k er s, c rayo n s,
c o l o r ed p en c i l s, eraser s, gl u e, p ap er
t ow el s, an d sc i sso r s w i t h i n easy r each .
Em
e
rg
e
n
cy
P
o
ste
r G
u
id
e
92
3. WRI TE AN EFFECTI VE TI TLE
10 MI NUTES
O n a si m p l er, FA STER p o st er, t h e t i t l e
h as t o m u l t i - t ask even m o r e t h an u su al .
Yo u r t i t l e h as t o at t rac t , i n f o r m , su m m ar i z e
A N D sh ow a c r eat i ve f l ai r.
HOW TO:
Su m u p yo u r p o st er s m essage i n b o l d
o r c l ever w o r d s, u si n g a t o t al o f 8 - 1 0
l et t er s m ax i m u m . (Fl i p t o Chapter 2,
Page 7 i f yo u get st u ck . )
D raw o r u se 2 - 3 p r e- c u t l et t er s t o
m ak e yo u r t i t l e i n a h i gh c o n t rast c o l o r
c o m p ar ed t o yo u r b ack gr o u n d . Bi g
l et t er s ar e easi er t o r ead an d eat u p
em p t y p o st er sp ac e!
4. CHOOSE YOUR POSTER LAY OUT
10 MI NUTES
Th i s i s t h e si m p l est f ast est p o st er l ayo u t
t o u se w h en p r essed f o r t i m e:
W i t h o u t at t ach i n g any t h i n g:
Set u p yo u r p o st er b o ar d h o r i z o n t al l y
w i t h t h e t i t l e r u n n i n g ac r o ss t h e t o p .
Even l y sp ac e i m ages ac r o ss t h e c en t er
o f yo u r b o ar d .
A ny su b - t i t l e sh o u l d r u n al o n g t h e
b o t t o m ed ge o f t h e p o st er
5. CHOOSE A POSTER BORDER
10 minutes
Yo u d o n t h ave t o sac r i f i c e st y l e t o
m ak e a su p er- f ast p o st er. A d d a b o r d er t o
gi ve yo u r p o st er a f i n i sh ed l o o k an d sh ow
t h at yo u p u t so m e ef f o r t i n t o i t .
HOW TO:
Cu t t h e o u t si d e b o r d er s o f yo u r p o st er
w i t h ed gi n g o r r egu l ar sc i sso r s f o r
i n st an t d esi gn . Cu t s sh o u l d b e i n
sh ap es t h at c o m p l em en t yo u r p o st er
t o p i c . (Ro u n d , an gu l ar, b l o ck s,
sc al l o p ed , et c . )
A l t er n at i vel y, c u t yo u r en t i r e b o ar d i n a
sh ap e t h at r ei n f o rc es yo u r t o p i c (Bo o t ,
st o p si gn , py ram i d , st ar, h at , gl o b e, et c . )
Tr i m t h e o u t er 2 i n ch es o f yo u r p o st er
w i t h c o l o r ed c o n st r u c t i o n p ap er,
w rap p i n g p ap er o r f o i l .
6. JAZZ I T UP
10 MI NUTES
A d d v i su al i n t er est t o yo u r p o st er w i t h
eye- c at ch i n g o r 3 - d i m en si o n al i t em s t h at
f i t yo u r p o st er s m essage.
D o n t f o r get t o rai d yo u r c ab i n et s an d
j u n k d raw er s f o r h o u seh o l d i t em s w h i ch
m ak e c r eat i ve ad d - o n s:
G l i t t er
St r i n g / Tw i n e
Bu t t o n s
Ri b b o n
St i ck er s
Fo am
Bean s, n u t s, m ac ar o n i , et c
Leaves, p eb b l es, t w i gs, et c .
7. AFFI X TEXT AND I MAGES
10 MI NUTES
Th i s i s t h e l ast st ep . U se c ar e t o en su r e
a go o d l o o k i n g f i n al p r o d u c t !
Lay o u t yo u r b o r d er, t i t l e, t ex t , i m ages
an d ad d - o n s w h er e yo u w an t t h em o n
t h e p o st er.
St ar t i n g at t h e t o p , n eat l y gl u e each
i t em i n p l ac e sep arat el y.
Pr o t ec t yo u r w o r k i n p l ast i c w rap o r an
A r t Sk i l l s
TM
Po st er Car r i er.
Congratulations!
You did it!
93
Poster Project
Idea Book
The Original
Finally! A how-to guide for making posters! The
Original Poster Project Idea Book is chock full of
easy-to-follow instructions, checklists, exercises and
time-saving tips! From idea generation & layout to
giving an oral presentation, these handy and entertain-
ing pages are just what you need to turn poster-
making into a fun and creative activity!
Id never think of giving a poster assignment again without
having this book as a classroom resource. My students
posters have greatly improved and so has their interest in their
projects! Thanks ArtSkills! Sheila S., Lancaster, PA
I used to roll my eyes at the thought of another school poster
project. Now, my ki ds and I actually enjoy making posters
and their project grades show it! Lee H., Greenwich, NY
50 Easy Poster Layouts
100 Poster Topic Ideas
Loads of Time-Saving
& Presentation Tips
Lettering and Title Basics
Essential Checklists

Emergency
60-Minute
Poster Guide
Included !
INCLUDES:
6 8 72125 01275

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