How to Create an Effective Research Poster

We continue our journey on Conference readiness with part 2 of the series: “Everything You Need to Know About Poster Presentations”. You may read part 1 here.

It’s not uncommon for researchers to feel a growing sense of urgency as a conference deadline approaches. Before they know it, they’ve filled an A0-sized poster with a flood of text and figures in an attempt to include everything.

I often hear researchers express similar worries when preparing their posters:

• Will it seem like I’m cutting corners if I don’t include all my experimental data?
• If I remove this figure, won’t the significance of my research be lost?

If you’ve ever felt, “I want to communicate more, but somehow my message isn’t getting across,” the reason may lie in a misunderstanding of what a poster is meant to do.

This article is the second part of a series on poster presentations. Here, we’ll discuss what to focus on when creating your poster—and why posters are an essential communication tool for researchers.

▶ Read Part 1: [Why Are Poster Presentations Matter: A Guide for Researchers]

Three Common Misconceptions About Posters

To make the most of your poster, it’s important to first recognize and correct some common misconceptions that researchers often have. Here are the three most frequent ones.

Misconception 1: I have to include all of my research

In an effort to be thorough, some researchers end up including 10 figures and tables, all explained in dense 12-point text. The result? No one stops to read the poster.

Picture a conference venue: after lunch, attendees wander through aisles lined with 50 or even 100 posters. When they see one crammed with text, they might take a quick photo, thinking, “I’ll read it later.” But in reality, they rarely do. By the time they reach the networking session—or their hotel—they’ve already forgotten about your poster.

The more content you cram in, the more effort it seems to require, and the less likely people are to engage with it. Ironically, trying to say everything can mean your message is never read at all.

Misconception 2: A poster is just a miniature version of a paper

Some posters mirror the structure of a research paper, carefully laying out the Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion. This may seem logical, but after three minutes of reading, viewers still might not understand what’s interesting or new about your research.

Why? Because papers and posters serve different purposes.

A paper is designed to be read in detail—it guides readers through your background, methodology, results, and conclusions. A poster, however, must capture attention and communicate its essence in three seconds.

If your poster doesn’t spark interest in those first moments, no one will stay to read it, no matter how accurate or detailed it is.

A paper’s purpose is to record in detail.
A poster’s purpose is to communicate the key message.
Each format demands a different mindset.

Misconception 3: A poster is a report for my supervisor or collaborators

When you focus too much on what your professor or co-researchers might think, you may end up filling your poster with technical jargon and detailed experimental conditions. The result is a poster that only specialists in your exact field can understand.

But conferences bring together researchers from many disciplines—some adjacent to yours, others entirely different. A poster overloaded with technical details risks shutting out those who might otherwise bring new insights or potential collaborations.

So, What Is a Poster Really For?

Let’s revisit that conference hall—perhaps at Pacifico Yokohama.
Rows of 50 or 100 posters line the room, and participants stroll by after lunch, scanning for something that catches their eye. You have three seconds to capture their attention.

Here’s what happens in those three seconds:

• “This title looks interesting.” → 0.5 seconds
• “What does this central figure show?” → 1.5 seconds
• “Is this related to my research?” → 1 second

If your poster fails to make them pause within that window, it will likely be overlooked, no matter how strong your research is.

A poster is not a record of your study—it’s a preview.
It should convey the essence of your work instantly, spark curiosity, and invite people to learn more through conversation.

How to Make Your Poster More Engaging

Think of a movie trailer.
A two-minute trailer doesn’t reveal the entire two-hour film. Instead, it:

• Shows the most striking scene,
• Gives a glimpse into the story’s core, and
• Makes viewers want to see more.

That’s exactly how a poster should work.

• Highlight your key findings with one or two large, central figures.
• Present the core message concisely.
• Leave viewers intrigued, wanting to ask questions.

This approach naturally encourages engagement. Attendees might stop and say, “That’s interesting—can you tell me more?” That’s your opportunity to explain your methods and detailed data through direct conversation.

The Power of White Space

Another key element of design is white space.

When every inch of your poster is filled, people might admire your effort but quickly move on.
However, leaving some empty space—intentionally—can invite curiosity:

• “What does this figure mean?”
• “How does the presenter interpret this result?”
• “How was this experiment done?”

Strategic gaps can become entry points for dialogue.
White space isn’t a sign of neglect; it’s an invitation.
Deciding what not to include is just as crucial as deciding what to include.

Final Check: What Do You Want People to Ask?

Before finalizing your poster, pause and ask yourself:

“What question would I want someone to ask when they see this poster?”

If you can’t think of an answer right away, it might mean there’s too much information. Revisit your poster tomorrow with fresh eyes and try to simplify it. Doing so will help you rediscover what you truly want to communicate—and where to leave space for engagement.

A poster is not the final form of your research—it’s a gateway to new discussions, insights, and collaborations. Think of it as an open invitation into your research world.

By adopting this mindset, you’ll be better equipped to decide what to include and what to leave out—and your poster will open the door to your next discovery.

About the author

Yumi Aizawa
Doctoral graduate, Tokyo University of Agriculture (major: Agricultural Chemistry)

Expertise: Metabolism, metabolomics, metabolic pathway analysis, control mechanisms, nutrition, and molecular biology

Member: Molecular Biology Society of Japan and other organizations