• Notice regarding image hosts and attachments. See here.

Poster Illustration

triggerthat

triggerthat

triggerthat

Soldato
Joined
26 Aug 2005
Posts
6,922
Location
UK
Hi guys,

I thought I'd come here and get some advice.

I have to create an A1 poster presentation, illustrating a project that I recently completed. I am not fantastic when it comes to designing so I'd like to know what applications and resources do you recommend that can get me on my way?

Much appreciated. :)
 
well it really does depend on the project but generally speaking I would use photoshop for a mostly image based presentation or indesign for a more text orientated presentation (although you can get away with photoshop here too)

However something like a spider diagram or flow chart may be best using something like visio

More info on project can give better direction
 
Keeping it simple, Paint.NET wouldn't be too bad at creating a poster. You could copy your pictures, or proof of project in, add some text, make it a bit splashy. It's like Paint, but more features, and it's a very good program. Freeware too.

For more advanced graphics design, most people use Photoshop. It's by no means the easiest tool to use, but there are lots of possibilities, and it allows you to do pretty much everything :) It's not free, but you can download a trial and see what you think.

Regarding the presentation, I think the best move would be a sort of 'step by step' guide to the project, with headings, annotations and clear pictures/diagrams/results tables. Keep it simplistic, but expand on the points that you have covered in the poster when you 'present' it. Whenever I do presentations, I try and keep it as basic as possible, so that it contains all the important information, without forcing people to read a block of text - it's easier for me to dictate and explain stuff in more detail.

Just my input :)
 
Try to clarify exactly what it is you are doing:

what is the point of the poster.
what is it meant to acheive
who is it aimed at
who is likely to see it
where is it going to be
will people be close or far away when viewing
think of a style /typefaces
modern / old/ classic/art deco /emulate a 'look' etc
colour selection/pallette
what information does it need to convey
drawings or photos
logos, sizing, prominence of elements

Technically some things will depend on your print device... number of colours, spot or process, resolution..

Software wise, you will probably be looking at photoshop / illustrator for design and then use indesign / quark for layout. Alternative software is available.
 
Believe it or not PowerPoint is pretty good for this if you dont want to get bogged down with anything too fancy.

I had to make an A1 poster for my dissertation and I did mine using Illustrator and Photoshop, my mate did his in PowerPoint and it looks just as good as mine.
 
Hi there,

Thanks for your input. Sorry for not clarifying my project. It is my final year project (Strategy Proposal) which will demostrated to my supervisor at University.

In terms of content, I have everything set out. It is just a matter of making it look pretty in something like Photoshop. The requirements are that it has to be A1. I am currently modelling everything in Word. I suppose I am asking how to make it look pretty?
 
I'd use InDesign or alternatively Illustrator.

Will give you far greater control over positioning elements on the page, colours and typefaces etc.

However if you don't have these programs then Powerpoint would do as suggested above. It will certainly give you greater control over the positioning of elements than Word will. It's not ideal but it doesn't like it needs to be anything too fancy.
 
Its remarkable what people can make in powerpoint, is quite impressive!
Although I would never ever bother.

I have the misfortune of getting them to print at work.
80% of the time its a real pain as it simply cannot make a decent PDF to save its life!
 
Use Illustrator if you can; the graphic output will be of a much higher quality (vector vs. bitmap).
 
Illustrator is the way to go. Most large format print bureaus will laugh you out of the office if you turn up with a Powerpoint slide.

Adobe offer the trial versions for download, so you can have the full featured package for 30 days which should be plenty of time to do a poster.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom