latex-posters

name	latex-posters
description	Create professional research posters in LaTeX using beamerposter, tikzposter, or baposter. This is the default poster skill for conference presentations, academic posters, and scientific communication. Includes layout design, color schemes, multi-column formats, figure integration, and poster-specific best practices. For editable PowerPoint output, use pptx-posters (HTML/CSS-based) or poster-presentation (python-pptx-based) instead.
allowed-tools	Read Write Edit Bash

LaTeX Research Posters

Overview

Research posters are a critical medium for scientific communication at conferences, symposia, and academic events. This skill provides comprehensive guidance for creating professional, visually appealing research posters using LaTeX packages. Generate publication-quality posters with proper layout, typography, color schemes, and visual hierarchy.

When to Use This Skill

This skill should be used when:

• Creating research posters for conferences, symposia, or poster sessions
• Designing academic posters for university events or thesis defenses
• Preparing visual summaries of research for public engagement
• Converting scientific papers into poster format
• Creating template posters for research groups or departments
• Designing posters that comply with specific conference size requirements (A0, A1, 36×48", etc.)
• Building posters with complex multi-column layouts
• Integrating figures, tables, equations, and citations in poster format

AI-Powered Visual Element Generation

STANDARD WORKFLOW: Generate ALL major visual elements using AI before creating the LaTeX poster.

This is the recommended approach for creating visually compelling posters:

1. Plan all visual elements needed (title, intro, methods, results, conclusions)
2. Generate each element using scientific-schematics or Nano Banana Pro
3. Assemble generated images in the LaTeX template
4. Add text content around the visuals

Target: 60-70% of poster area should be AI-generated visuals, 30-40% text.

---

CRITICAL: Preventing Content Overflow

⚠️ POSTERS MUST NOT HAVE TEXT OR CONTENT CUT OFF AT EDGES.

Common Overflow Problems:

1. Title/footer text extending beyond page boundaries
2. Too many sections crammed into available space
3. Figures placed too close to edges
4. Text blocks exceeding column widths

Prevention Rules:

1. Limit Content Sections (MAXIMUM 5-6 sections for A0):

✅ GOOD - 5 sections with room to breathe:
   - Title/Header
   - Introduction/Problem
   - Methods
   - Results (1-2 key findings)
   - Conclusions

❌ BAD - 8+ sections crammed together:
   - Overview, Introduction, Background, Methods, 
   - Results 1, Results 2, Discussion, Conclusions, Future Work

2. Set Safe Margins in LaTeX:

% tikzposter - add generous margins
\documentclass[25pt, a0paper, portrait, margin=25mm]{tikzposter}

% baposter - ensure content doesn't touch edges
\begin{poster}{
  columns=3,
  colspacing=2em,           % Space between columns
  headerheight=0.1\textheight,  % Smaller header
  % Leave space at bottom
}

3. Figure Sizing - Never 100% Width:

% Leave margins around figures
\includegraphics[width=0.85\linewidth]{figure.png}  % NOT 1.0\linewidth

4. Check for Overflow Before Printing:

# Compile and check PDF at 100% zoom
pdflatex poster.tex

# Look for:
# - Text cut off at any edge
# - Content touching page boundaries  
# - Overfull hbox warnings in .log file
grep -i "overfull" poster.log

5. Word Count Limits:

• A0 poster: 300-800 words MAXIMUM
• Per section: 50-100 words maximum
• If you have more content: Cut it or make a handout

---

CRITICAL: Poster-Size Font Requirements

⚠️ ALL text within AI-generated visualizations MUST be poster-readable.

When generating graphics for posters, you MUST include font size specifications in EVERY prompt. Poster graphics are viewed from 4-6 feet away, so text must be LARGE.

⚠️ COMMON PROBLEM: Content Overflow and Density

The #1 issue with AI-generated poster graphics is TOO MUCH CONTENT. This causes:

• Text overflow beyond boundaries
• Unreadable small fonts
• Cluttered, overwhelming visuals
• Poor white space usage

SOLUTION: Generate SIMPLE graphics with MINIMAL content.

MANDATORY prompt requirements for EVERY poster graphic:

POSTER FORMAT REQUIREMENTS (STRICTLY ENFORCE):
- ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM 3-4 elements per graphic (3 is ideal)
- ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM 10 words total in the entire graphic
- NO complex workflows with 5+ steps (split into 2-3 simple graphics instead)
- NO multi-level nested diagrams (flatten to single level)
- NO case studies with multiple sub-sections (one key point per case)
- ALL text GIANT BOLD (80pt+ for labels, 120pt+ for key numbers)
- High contrast ONLY (dark on white OR white on dark, NO gradients with text)
- MANDATORY 50% white space minimum (half the graphic should be empty)
- Thick lines only (5px+ minimum), large icons (200px+ minimum)
- ONE SINGLE MESSAGE per graphic (not 3 related messages)

⚠️ BEFORE GENERATING: Review your prompt and count elements

• If your description has 5+ items → STOP. Split into multiple graphics
• If your workflow has 5+ stages → STOP. Show only 3-4 high-level steps
• If your comparison has 4+ methods → STOP. Show only top 3 or Our vs Best Baseline

Content limits per graphic type (STRICT):

Graphic Type	Max Elements	Max Words	Reject If	Good Example
Flowchart	3-4 boxes MAX	8 words	5+ stages, nested steps	"DISCOVER → VALIDATE → APPROVE" (3 words)
Key findings	3 items MAX	9 words	4+ metrics, paragraphs	"95% ACCURATE" "2X FASTER" "FDA READY" (6 words)
Comparison chart	3 bars MAX	6 words	4+ methods, legend text	"OURS: 95%" "BEST: 85%" (4 words)
Case study	1 case, 3 elements	6 words	Multiple cases, substories	Logo + "18 MONTHS" + "to discovery" (2 words)
Timeline	3-4 points MAX	8 words	Year-by-year detail	"2020 START" "2022 TRIAL" "2024 APPROVED" (6 words)

Example - WRONG (7-stage workflow - TOO COMPLEX):

# ❌ BAD - This creates tiny unreadable text like the drug discovery poster
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "Drug discovery workflow showing: Stage 1 Target Identification, Stage 2 Molecular Synthesis, Stage 3 Virtual Screening, Stage 4 AI Lead Optimization, Stage 5 Clinical Trial Design, Stage 6 FDA Approval. Include success metrics, timelines, and validation steps for each stage." -o figures/workflow.png
# Result: 7+ stages with tiny text, unreadable from 6 feet - POSTER FAILURE

Example - CORRECT (simplified to 3 key stages):

# ✅ GOOD - Same content, split into ONE simple high-level graphic
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-box workflow: 'DISCOVER' → 'VALIDATE' → 'APPROVE'. Each word in GIANT bold (120pt+). Thick arrows (10px). 60% white space. NO substeps, NO details. 3 words total. Readable from 10 feet." -o figures/workflow_overview.png
# Result: Clean, impactful, readable - can add detail graphics separately if needed

Example - WRONG (complex case studies with multiple sections):

# ❌ BAD - Creates cramped unreadable sections
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "Case studies: Insilico Medicine (drug candidate, discovery time, clinical trials), Recursion Pharma (platform, methodology, results), Exscientia (drug candidates, FDA status, timeline). Include company logos, metrics, and outcomes." -o figures/cases.png
# Result: 3 case studies with 4+ elements each = 12+ total elements, tiny text

Example - CORRECT (one case study, one key metric):

# ✅ GOOD - Show ONE case with ONE key number
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONE case study card: Company logo (large), '18 MONTHS' in GIANT text (150pt), 'to discovery' below (60pt). 3 elements total: logo + number + caption. 50% white space. Readable from 10 feet." -o figures/case_single.png
# Result: Clear, readable, impactful. Make 3 separate graphics if you need 3 cases.

Example - WRONG (key findings too complex):

# BAD - too many items, too much detail
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "Key findings showing 8 metrics: accuracy 95%, precision 92%, recall 94%, F1 0.93, AUC 0.97, training time 2.3 hours, inference 50ms, model size 145MB with comparison to 5 baseline methods" -o figures/findings.png
# Result: Cramped graphic with tiny numbers

Example - CORRECT (key findings simple):

# GOOD - only 3 key items, giant numbers
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. KEY FINDINGS with ONLY 3 large cards. Card 1: '95%' in GIANT text (120pt) with 'ACCURACY' below (48pt). Card 2: '2X' in GIANT text with 'FASTER' below. Card 3: checkmark icon with 'VALIDATED' in large text. 50% white space. High contrast colors. NO other text or details." -o figures/findings.png
# Result: Bold, readable impact statement

Font size reference for poster prompts:

Element	Minimum Size	Prompt Keywords
Main numbers/metrics	72pt+	"huge", "very large", "giant", "poster-size"
Section titles	60pt+	"large bold", "prominent"
Labels/captions	36pt+	"readable from 6 feet", "clear labels"
Body text	24pt+	"poster-readable", "large text"

Always include in prompts:

• "POSTER FORMAT" or "for A0 poster" or "readable from 6 feet"
• "VERY LARGE TEXT" or "huge bold fonts"
• Specific text that should appear (so it's baked into the image)
• "minimal text, maximum impact"
• "high contrast" for readability
• "generous margins" and "no text near edges"

---

CRITICAL: AI-Generated Graphic Sizing

⚠️ Each AI-generated graphic should focus on ONE concept with MINIMAL content.

Problem: Generating complex diagrams with many elements leads to small text.

Solution: Generate SIMPLE graphics with FEW elements and LARGE text.

Example - WRONG (too complex, text will be small):

# BAD - too many elements in one graphic
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "Complete ML pipeline showing data collection, 
preprocessing with 5 steps, feature engineering with 8 techniques, model training 
with hyperparameter tuning, validation with cross-validation, and deployment with 
monitoring. Include all labels and descriptions." -o figures/pipeline.png

Example - CORRECT (simple, focused, large text):

# GOOD - split into multiple simple graphics with large text

# Graphic 1: High-level overview (3-4 elements max)
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0: Simple 4-step pipeline. 
Four large boxes: DATA → PROCESS → MODEL → RESULTS. 
GIANT labels (80pt+), thick arrows, lots of white space. 
Only 4 words total. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/overview.png

# Graphic 2: Key result (1 metric highlighted)
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0: Single key metric display.
Giant '95%' text (150pt+) with 'ACCURACY' below (60pt+).
Checkmark icon. Minimal design, high contrast.
Readable from 10 feet." -o figures/accuracy.png

Rules for AI-generated poster graphics:

Rule	Limit	Reason
Elements per graphic	3-5 maximum	More elements = smaller text
Words per graphic	10-15 maximum	Minimal text = larger fonts
Flowchart steps	4-5 maximum	Keeps labels readable
Chart categories	3-4 maximum	Prevents crowding
Nested levels	1-2 maximum	Avoids complexity

Split complex content into multiple simple graphics:

Instead of 1 complex diagram with 12 elements:
→ Create 3 simple diagrams with 4 elements each
→ Each graphic can have LARGER text
→ Arrange in poster with clear visual flow

---

Step 0: MANDATORY Pre-Generation Review (DO THIS FIRST)

⚠️ BEFORE generating ANY graphics, review your content plan:

For EACH planned graphic, ask these questions:

1. Element count: Can I describe this in 3-4 items or less?

   • ❌ NO → Simplify or split into multiple graphics
   • ✅ YES → Continue

2. Complexity check: Is this a multi-stage workflow (5+ steps) or nested diagram?

   • ❌ YES → Flatten to 3-4 high-level steps only
   • ✅ NO → Continue

3. Word count: Can I describe all text in 10 words or less?

   • ❌ NO → Cut text, use single-word labels
   • ✅ YES → Continue

4. Message clarity: Does this graphic convey ONE clear message?

   • ❌ NO → Split into multiple focused graphics
   • ✅ YES → Continue to generation

Common patterns that ALWAYS fail (reject these):

• "Show stages 1 through 7..." → Split into high-level overview (3 stages) + detail graphics
• "Multiple case studies..." → One case per graphic
• "Timeline from 2015 to 2024 with annual milestones..." → Show only 3-4 key years
• "Comparison of 6 methods..." → Show only top 3 or Our method vs Best baseline
• "Architecture with all layers and connections..." → High-level only (3-4 components)

Step 1: Plan Your Poster Elements

After passing the pre-generation review, identify visual elements needed:

1. Title Block - Stylized title with institutional branding (optional - can be LaTeX text)
2. Introduction Graphic - Conceptual overview (3 elements max)
3. Methods Diagram - High-level workflow (3-4 steps max)
4. Results Figures - Key findings (3 metrics max per figure, may need 2-3 separate figures)
5. Conclusion Graphic - Summary visual (3 takeaways max)
6. Supplementary Icons - Simple icons, QR codes, logos (minimal)

Step 2: Generate Each Element (After Pre-Generation Review)

⚠️ CRITICAL: Review Step 0 checklist before proceeding.

Use the appropriate tool for each element type:

For Schematics and Diagrams (scientific-schematics):

# Create figures directory
mkdir -p figures

# Drug discovery workflow - HIGH-LEVEL ONLY, 3 stages
# BAD: "Stage 1: Target ID, Stage 2: Molecular Synthesis, Stage 3: Virtual Screening, Stage 4: AI Lead Opt..."
# GOOD: Collapse to 3 mega-stages
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-box workflow: 'DISCOVER' (120pt bold) → 'VALIDATE' (120pt bold) → 'APPROVE' (120pt bold). Thick arrows (10px). 60% white space. ONLY these 3 words. NO substeps. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/workflow_simple.png

# System architecture - MAXIMUM 3 components
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-component stack: 'DATA' box (120pt) → 'AI MODEL' box (120pt) → 'PREDICTION' box (120pt). Thick vertical arrows. 60% white space. 3 words only. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/architecture.png

# Timeline - ONLY 3 key milestones (not year-by-year)
# BAD: "2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 with events"
# GOOD: Only 3 breakthrough moments
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Timeline with ONLY 3 points: '2018' + icon, '2021' + icon, '2024' + icon. GIANT years (120pt). Large icons. 60% white space. NO connecting lines or details. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/timeline.png

# Case study - ONE case, ONE key metric
# BAD: "3 case studies: Insilico (details), Recursion (details), Exscientia (details)"
# GOOD: ONE case with ONE number
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONE case study: Large logo + '18 MONTHS' (150pt bold) + 'to discovery' (60pt). 3 elements total. 60% white space. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/case1.png

# If you need 3 cases → make 3 separate simple graphics (not one complex graphic)

For Stylized Blocks and Graphics (Nano Banana Pro):

# Title block - SIMPLE
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Title block: 'ML FOR DRUG DISCOVERY' in HUGE bold text (120pt+). Dark blue background. ONE subtle icon. NO other text. 40% white space. Readable from 15 feet." -o figures/title_block.png

# Introduction visual - SIMPLE, 3 elements only
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE problem visual with ONLY 3 icons: drug icon, arrow, target icon. ONE label per icon (80pt+). 50% white space. NO detailed text. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/intro_visual.png

# Conclusion/summary - ONLY 3 items, GIANT numbers
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. KEY FINDINGS with EXACTLY 3 cards only. Card 1: '95%' (150pt font) with 'ACCURACY' (60pt). Card 2: '2X' (150pt) with 'FASTER' (60pt). Card 3: checkmark icon with 'READY' (60pt). 50% white space. NO other text. Readable from 10 feet." -o figures/conclusions_graphic.png

# Background visual - SIMPLE, 3 icons only
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE visual with ONLY 3 large icons in a row: problem icon → challenge icon → impact icon. ONE word label each (80pt+). 50% white space. NO detailed text. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/background_visual.png

For Data Visualizations - SIMPLE, 3 bars max:

# SIMPLE chart with ONLY 3 bars, GIANT labels
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE bar chart with ONLY 3 bars: BASELINE (70%), EXISTING (85%), OURS (95%). GIANT percentage labels ON the bars (100pt+). NO axis labels, NO legend, NO gridlines. Our bar highlighted in different color. 40% white space. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/comparison_chart.png

Step 2b: MANDATORY Post-Generation Review (Before Assembly)

⚠️ CRITICAL: Review EVERY generated graphic before adding to poster.

For each generated figure, open at 25% zoom and check:

1. ✅ PASS criteria (all must be true):

   • Can read ALL text clearly at 25% zoom
   • Count elements: 3-4 or fewer
   • White space: 50%+ of image is empty
   • Simple enough to understand in 2 seconds
   • NOT a complex workflow with 5+ stages
   • NOT multiple nested sections

2. ❌ FAIL criteria (regenerate if ANY are true):

   • Text is small or hard to read at 25% zoom → REGENERATE with "150pt+" fonts
   • More than 4 elements → REGENERATE with "ONLY 3 elements"
   • Less than 50% white space → REGENERATE with "60% white space"
   • Complex multi-stage workflow → SPLIT into 2-3 simple graphics
   • Multiple case studies cramped together → SPLIT into separate graphics
   • Takes more than 3 seconds to understand → SIMPLIFY and regenerate

Common failures and fixes:

• "7-stage workflow with tiny text" → Regenerate as "3 high-level stages only"
• "3 case studies in one graphic" → Generate 3 separate simple graphics
• "Timeline with 8 years" → Regenerate with "ONLY 3 key milestones"
• "Comparison of 5 methods" → Regenerate with "ONLY Our method vs Best baseline (2 bars)"

DO NOT PROCEED to assembly if ANY graphic fails the checks above.

Step 3: Assemble in LaTeX Template

After all figures pass the post-generation review, include them in your poster template:

tikzposter example:

\documentclass[25pt, a0paper, portrait]{tikzposter}

\begin{document}

\maketitle

\begin{columns}
\column{0.5}

\block{Introduction}{
  \centering
  \includegraphics[width=0.85\linewidth]{figures/intro_visual.png}
  
  \vspace{0.5em}
  Brief context text here (2-3 sentences max).
}

\block{Methods}{
  \centering
  \includegraphics[width=0.9\linewidth]{figures/methods_flowchart.png}
}

\column{0.5}

\block{Results}{
  \begin{minipage}{0.48\linewidth}
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{figures/result_1.png}
  \end{minipage}
  \hfill
  \begin{minipage}{0.48\linewidth}
    \centering
    \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{figures/result_2.png}
  \end{minipage}
  
  \vspace{0.5em}
  Key findings in 3-4 bullet points.
}

\block{Conclusions}{
  \centering
  \includegraphics[width=0.8\linewidth]{figures/conclusions_graphic.png}
}

\end{columns}

\end{document}

baposter example:

\headerbox{Methods}{name=methods,column=0,row=0}{
  \centering
  \includegraphics[width=0.95\linewidth]{figures/methods_flowchart.png}
}

\headerbox{Results}{name=results,column=1,row=0}{
  \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{figures/comparison_chart.png}
  \vspace{0.3em}
  
  Key finding: Our method achieves 92% accuracy.
}

Example: Complete Poster Generation Workflow

Full workflow with ALL quality checks:

# STEP 0: Pre-Generation Review (MANDATORY)
# Content plan: Drug discovery poster
# - Workflow: 7 stages → ❌ TOO MANY → Reduce to 3 mega-stages ✅
# - 3 case studies → ❌ TOO MANY → One case per graphic (make 3 graphics) ✅
# - Timeline 2018-2024 → ❌ TOO DETAILED → Only 3 key years ✅

# STEP 1: Create figures directory
mkdir -p figures

# STEP 2: Generate ULTRA-SIMPLE graphics with strict limits

# Workflow - HIGH-LEVEL ONLY (collapsed from 7 stages to 3)
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-box workflow: 'DISCOVER' → 'VALIDATE' → 'APPROVE'. Each word 120pt+ bold. Thick arrows (10px). 60% white space. ONLY 3 words total. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/workflow.png

# Case study 1 - ONE case, ONE metric (will make 3 separate graphics)
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONE case: Company logo + '18 MONTHS' (150pt bold) + 'to drug discovery' (60pt). 3 elements only. 60% white space. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/case1.png

python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONE case: Company logo + '95% SUCCESS' (150pt bold) + 'in trials' (60pt). 3 elements only. 60% white space." -o figures/case2.png

python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONE case: Company logo + 'FDA APPROVED' (150pt bold) + '2024' (60pt). 3 elements only. 60% white space." -o figures/case3.png

# Timeline - ONLY 3 key years (not 7 years)
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONLY 3 years: '2018' (150pt) + icon, '2021' (150pt) + icon, '2024' (150pt) + icon. Large icons. 60% white space. NO lines or details. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/timeline.png

# Results - ONLY 2 bars (our method vs best baseline, not 5 methods)
python <path-to-scientific-schematics-skill>/scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. TWO bars only: 'BASELINE 70%' and 'OURS 95%' (highlighted). GIANT percentages (150pt) ON bars. NO axis, NO legend. 60% white space. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/results.png

# STEP 2b: Post-Generation Review (MANDATORY)
# Open each figure at 25% zoom:
# ✅ workflow.png: 3 elements, text readable, 60% white - PASS
# ✅ case1.png: 3 elements, giant numbers, clean - PASS
# ✅ case2.png: 3 elements, giant numbers, clean - PASS  
# ✅ case3.png: 3 elements, giant numbers, clean - PASS
# ✅ timeline.png: 3 elements, readable, simple - PASS
# ✅ results.png: 2 bars, giant percentages, clear - PASS
# ALL PASS → Proceed to assembly

# STEP 3: Compile LaTeX poster
pdflatex poster.tex

# STEP 4: PDF Overflow Check (see Section 11)
grep "Overfull" poster.log
# Open at 100% and check all 4 edges

If ANY graphic fails Step 2b review:

• Too many elements → Regenerate with "ONLY 3 elements"
• Small text → Regenerate with "150pt+" or "GIANT BOLD (150pt+)"
• Cluttered → Regenerate with "60% white space" and "ULTRA-SIMPLE"
• Complex workflow → SPLIT into multiple simple 3-element graphics

Visual Element Guidelines

⚠️ CRITICAL: Each graphic must have ONE message and MAXIMUM 3-4 elements.

ABSOLUTE LIMITS - These are NOT guidelines, these are HARD LIMITS:

• MAXIMUM 3-4 elements per graphic (3 is ideal)
• MAXIMUM 10 words total per graphic
• MINIMUM 50% white space (60% is better)
• MINIMUM 120pt for key numbers/metrics
• MINIMUM 80pt for labels

For each poster section - STRICT requirements:

Section	Max Elements	Max Words	Example Prompt (REQUIRED PATTERN)
Introduction	3 icons	6 words	"POSTER FORMAT for A0: ULTRA-SIMPLE 3 icons: [icon1] [icon2] [icon3]. ONE WORD labels (100pt bold). 60% white space. 3 words total."
Methods	3 boxes	6 words	"POSTER FORMAT for A0: ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-box workflow: 'STEP1' → 'STEP2' → 'STEP3'. GIANT labels (120pt+). 60% white space. 3 words only."
Results	2-3 bars	6 words	"POSTER FORMAT for A0: TWO bars: 'BASELINE 70%' 'OURS 95%'. GIANT percentages (150pt+) ON bars. NO axis. 60% white space."
Conclusions	3 cards	9 words	"POSTER FORMAT for A0: THREE cards: '95%' (150pt) 'ACCURATE', '2X' (150pt) 'FASTER', checkmark 'READY'. 60% white space."
Case Study	3 elements	5 words	"POSTER FORMAT for A0: ONE case: logo + '18 MONTHS' (150pt) + 'to discovery' (60pt). 60% white space."
Timeline	3 points	3 words	"POSTER FORMAT for A0: THREE years only: '2018' '2021' '2024' (150pt each). Large icons. 60% white space. NO details."

MANDATORY prompt elements (ALL required, NO exceptions):

1. "POSTER FORMAT for A0" - MUST be first
2. "ULTRA-SIMPLE" or "ONLY X elements" - content limit
3. "GIANT (120pt+)" or specific font sizes - readability
4. "60% white space" - mandatory breathing room
5. "readable from 10-12 feet" - viewing distance
6. Exact count of words/elements - "3 words total" or "ONLY 3 icons"

PATTERNS THAT ALWAYS FAIL (REJECT IMMEDIATELY):

• ❌ "7-stage drug discovery workflow" → Split to "3 mega-stages"
• ❌ "Timeline from 2015-2024 with annual updates" → "ONLY 3 key years"
• ❌ "3 case studies with details" → Make 3 separate simple graphics
• ❌ "Comparison of 5 methods with metrics" → "ONLY 2: ours vs best"
• ❌ "Complete architecture showing all layers" → "3 components only"
• ❌ "Show stages 1,2,3,4,5,6" → "3 high-level stages"

PATTERNS THAT WORK:

• ✅ "3 mega-stages collapsed from 7" → Proper simplification
• ✅ "ONE case with ONE metric" → Will make multiple if needed
• ✅ "ONLY 3 milestones" → Selective, focused
• ✅ "2 bars: ours vs baseline" → Direct comparison
• ✅ "3-component high-level view" → Appropriately simplified

---

Scientific Schematics Integration

For detailed guidance on creating schematics, refer to the scientific-schematics skill documentation.

Key capabilities:

• Nano Banana Pro automatically generates, reviews, and refines diagrams
• Creates publication-quality images with proper formatting
• Ensures accessibility (colorblind-friendly, high contrast)
• Supports iterative refinement for complex diagrams

---

Core Capabilities

1. LaTeX Poster Packages

Support for three major LaTeX poster packages, each with distinct advantages. For detailed comparison and package-specific guidance, refer to references/latex_poster_packages.md.

beamerposter:

• Extension of the Beamer presentation class
• Familiar syntax for Beamer users
• Excellent theme support and customization
• Best for: Traditional academic posters, institutional branding

tikzposter:

• Modern, flexible design with TikZ integration
• Built-in color themes and layout templates
• Extensive customization through TikZ commands
• Best for: Colorful, modern designs, custom graphics

baposter:

• Box-based layout system
• Automatic spacing and positioning
• Professional-looking default styles
• Best for: Multi-column layouts, consistent spacing

2. Poster Layout and Structure

Create effective poster layouts following visual communication principles. For comprehensive layout guidance, refer to references/poster_layout_design.md.

Common Poster Sections:

• Header/Title: Title, authors, affiliations, logos
• Introduction/Background: Research context and motivation
• Methods/Approach: Methodology and experimental design
• Results: Key findings with figures and data visualizations
• Conclusions: Main takeaways and implications
• References: Key citations (typically abbreviated)
• Acknowledgments: Funding, collaborators, institutions

Layout Strategies:

• Column-based layouts: 2-column, 3-column, or 4-column grids
• Block-based layouts: Flexible arrangement of content blocks
• Z-pattern flow: Guide readers through content logically
• Visual hierarchy: Use size, color, and spacing to emphasize key points

3. Design Principles for Research Posters

Apply evidence-based design principles for maximum impact. For detailed design guidance, refer to references/poster_design_principles.md.

Typography:

• Title: 72-120pt for visibility from distance
• Section headers: 48-72pt
• Body text: 24-36pt minimum for readability from 4-6 feet
• Use sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Calibri) for clarity
• Limit to 2-3 font families maximum

Color and Contrast:

• Use high-contrast color schemes for readability
• Institutional color palettes for branding
• Color-blind friendly palettes (avoid red-green combinations)
• White space is active space—don't overcrowd

Visual Elements:

• High-resolution figures (300 DPI minimum for print)
• Large, clear labels on all figures
• Consistent figure styling throughout
• Strategic use of icons and graphics
• Balance text with visual content (40-50% visual recommended)

Content Guidelines:

• Less is more: 300-800 words total recommended
• Bullet points over paragraphs for scannability
• Clear, concise messaging
• Self-explanatory figures with minimal text explanation
• QR codes for supplementary materials or online resources

4. Standard Poster Sizes

Support for international and conference-specific poster dimensions:

International Standards:

• A0 (841 × 1189 mm / 33.1 × 46.8 inches) - Most common European standard
• A1 (594 × 841 mm / 23.4 × 33.1 inches) - Smaller format
• A2 (420 × 594 mm / 16.5 × 23.4 inches) - Compact posters

North American Standards:

• 36 × 48 inches (914 × 1219 mm) - Common US conference size
• 42 × 56 inches (1067 × 1422 mm) - Large format
• 48 × 72 inches (1219 × 1829 mm) - Extra large

Orientation:

• Portrait (vertical) - Most common, traditional
• Landscape (horizontal) - Better for wide content, timelines

5. Package-Specific Templates

Provide ready-to-use templates for each major package. Templates available in assets/ directory.

beamerposter Templates:

• beamerposter_template.tex - Customizable beamerposter template

tikzposter Templates:

• tikzposter_template.tex - Customizable tikzposter template

baposter Templates:

• baposter_template.tex - Customizable baposter template

6. Figure and Image Integration

Optimize visual content for poster presentations:

Best Practices:

• Use vector graphics (PDF, SVG) when possible for scalability
• Raster images: minimum 300 DPI at final print size
• Consistent image styling (borders, captions, sizes)
• Group related figures together
• Use subfigures for comparisons

LaTeX Figure Commands:

% Include graphics package
\usepackage{graphicx}

% Simple figure
\includegraphics[width=0.8\linewidth]{figure.pdf}

% Figure with caption in tikzposter
\block{Results}{
  \begin{tikzfigure}
    \includegraphics[width=0.9\linewidth]{results.png}
  \end{tikzfigure}
}

% Multiple subfigures
\usepackage{subcaption}
\begin{figure}
  \begin{subfigure}{0.48\linewidth}
    \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{fig1.pdf}
    \caption{Condition A}
  \end{subfigure}
  \begin{subfigure}{0.48\linewidth}
    \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{fig2.pdf}
    \caption{Condition B}
  \end{subfigure}
\end{figure}

7. Color Schemes and Themes

Provide professional color palettes for various contexts:

Academic Institution Colors:

• Match university or department branding
• Use official color codes (RGB, CMYK, or LaTeX color definitions)

Scientific Color Palettes (color-blind friendly):

• Viridis: Professional gradient from purple to yellow
• ColorBrewer: Research-tested palettes for data visualization
• IBM Color Blind Safe: Accessible corporate palette

Package-Specific Theme Selection:

beamerposter:

\usetheme{Berlin}
\usecolortheme{beaver}

tikzposter:

\usetheme{Rays}
\usecolorstyle{Denmark}

baposter:

\begin{poster}{
  background=plain,
  bgColorOne=white,
  headerColorOne=blue!70,
  textborder=rounded
}

8. Typography and Text Formatting

Ensure readability and visual appeal:

Font Selection:

% Sans-serif fonts recommended for posters
\usepackage{helvet}      % Helvetica
\usepackage{avant}       % Avant Garde
\usepackage{sfmath}      % Sans-serif math fonts

% Set default to sans-serif
\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}

Text Sizing:

% Adjust text sizes for visibility
\setbeamerfont{title}{size=\VeryHuge}
\setbeamerfont{author}{size=\Large}
\setbeamerfont{institute}{size=\normalsize}

Emphasis and Highlighting:

• Use bold for key terms: \textbf{important}
• Color highlights sparingly: \textcolor{blue}{highlight}
• Boxes for critical information
• Avoid italics (harder to read from distance)

9. QR Codes and Interactive Elements

Enhance poster interactivity for modern conferences:

QR Code Integration:

\usepackage{qrcode}

% Link to paper, code repository, or supplementary materials
\qrcode[height=2cm]{https://github.com/username/project}

% QR code with caption
\begin{center}
  \qrcode[height=3cm]{https://doi.org/10.1234/paper}\\
  \small Scan for full paper
\end{center}

Digital Enhancements:

• Link to GitHub repositories for code
• Link to video presentations or demos
• Link to interactive web visualizations
• Link to supplementary data or appendices

10. Compilation and Output

Generate high-quality PDF output for printing or digital display:

Compilation Commands:

# Basic compilation
pdflatex poster.tex

# With bibliography
pdflatex poster.tex
bibtex poster
pdflatex poster.tex
pdflatex poster.tex

# For beamer-based posters
lualatex poster.tex  # Better font support
xelatex poster.tex   # Unicode and modern fonts

Ensuring Full Page Coverage:

Posters should use the entire page without excessive margins. Configure packages correctly:

beamerposter - Full Page Setup:

\documentclass[final,t]{beamer}
\usepackage[size=a0,scale=1.4,orientation=portrait]{beamerposter}

% Remove default beamer margins
\setbeamersize{text margin left=0mm, text margin right=0mm}

% Use geometry for precise control
\usepackage[margin=10mm]{geometry}  % 10mm margins all around

% Remove navigation symbols
\setbeamertemplate{navigation symbols}{}

% Remove footline and headline if not needed
\setbeamertemplate{footline}{}
\setbeamertemplate{headline}{}

tikzposter - Full Page Setup:

\documentclass[
  25pt,                      % Font scaling
  a0paper,                   % Paper size
  portrait,                  % Orientation
  margin=10mm,               % Outer margins (minimal)
  innermargin=15mm,          % Space inside blocks
  blockverticalspace=15mm,   % Space between blocks
  colspace=15mm,             % Space between columns
  subcolspace=8mm            % Space between subcolumns
]{tikzposter}

% This ensures content fills the page

baposter - Full Page Setup:

\documentclass[a0paper,portrait,fontscale=0.285]{baposter}

\begin{poster}{
  grid=false,
  columns=3,
  colspacing=1.5em,          % Space between columns
  eyecatcher=true,
  background=plain,
  bgColorOne=white,
  borderColor=blue!50,
  headerheight=0.12\textheight,  % 12% for header
  textborder=roundedleft,
  headerborder=closed,
  boxheaderheight=2em        % Consistent box header heights
}
% Content here
\end{poster}

Common Issues and Fixes:

Problem: Large white margins around poster

% Fix for beamerposter
\setbeamersize{text margin left=5mm, text margin right=5mm}

% Fix for tikzposter
\documentclass[..., margin=5mm, innermargin=10mm]{tikzposter}

% Fix for baposter - adjust in document class
\documentclass[a0paper, margin=5mm]{baposter}

Problem: Content doesn't fill vertical space

% Use \vfill between sections to distribute space
\block{Introduction}{...}
\vfill
\block{Methods}{...}
\vfill
\block{Results}{...}

% Or manually adjust block spacing
\vspace{1cm}  % Add space between specific blocks

Problem: Poster extends beyond page boundaries

% Check total width calculation
% For 3 columns with spacing:
% Total = 3×columnwidth + 2×colspace + 2×margins
% Ensure this equals \paperwidth

% Debug by adding visible page boundary
\usepackage{eso-pic}
\AddToShipoutPictureBG{
  \AtPageLowerLeft{
    \put(0,0){\framebox(\LenToUnit{\paperwidth},\LenToUnit{\paperheight}){}}
  }
}

Print Preparation:

• Generate PDF/X-1a for professional printing
• Embed all fonts
• Convert colors to CMYK if required
• Check resolution of all images (minimum 300 DPI)
• Add bleed area if required by printer (usually 3-5mm)
• Verify page size matches requirements exactly

Digital Display:

• RGB color space for screen display
• Optimize file size for email/web
• Test readability on different screens

11. PDF Review and Quality Control

CRITICAL: Always review the generated PDF before printing or presenting. Use this systematic checklist:

Step 1: Page Size Verification

# Check PDF dimensions (should match poster size exactly)
pdfinfo poster.pdf | grep "Page size"

# Expected outputs:
# A0: 2384 x 3370 points (841 x 1189 mm)
# 36x48": 2592 x 3456 points
# A1: 1684 x 2384 points (594 x 841 mm)

Step 2: OVERFLOW CHECK (CRITICAL) - DO THIS IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMPILATION

⚠️ THIS IS THE #1 CAUSE OF POSTER FAILURES. Check BEFORE proceeding.

Step 2a: Check LaTeX Log File

# Check for overflow warnings (these are ERRORS, not suggestions)
grep -i "overfull\|underfull\|badbox" poster.log

# ANY "Overfull" warning = content is cut off or extending beyond boundaries
# FIX ALL OF THESE before proceeding

Common overflow warnings and what they mean:

• Overfull \hbox (15.2pt too wide) → Text or graphic is 15.2pt wider than column
• Overfull \vbox (23.5pt too high) → Content is 23.5pt taller than available space
• Badbox → LaTeX struggling to fit content within boundaries

Step 2b: Visual Edge Inspection (100% zoom in PDF viewer)

Check ALL FOUR EDGES systematically:

1. TOP EDGE:

   • Title completely visible (not cut off)
   • Author names fully visible
   • No graphics touching top margin
   • Header content within safe zone

2. BOTTOM EDGE:

   • References fully visible (not cut off)
   • Acknowledgments complete
   • Contact info readable
   • No graphics cut off at bottom

3. LEFT EDGE:

   • No text touching left margin
   • All bullet points fully visible
   • Graphics have left margin (not bleeding off)
   • Column content within bounds

4. RIGHT EDGE:

   • No text extending beyond right margin
   • Graphics not cut off on right
   • Column content stays within bounds
   • QR codes fully visible

5. BETWEEN COLUMNS:

   • Content stays within individual columns
   • No text bleeding into adjacent columns
   • Figures respect column boundaries

If ANY check fails, you have overflow. FIX IMMEDIATELY before continuing:

Fix hierarchy (try in order):

1. Check AI-generated graphics first:

   • Are they too complex (5+ elements)? → Regenerate simpler
   • Do they have tiny text? → Regenerate with "150pt+" fonts
   • Are there too many? → Reduce number of figures

2. Reduce sections:

   • More than 5-6 sections? → Combine or remove
   • Example: Merge "Discussion" into "Conclusions"

3. Cut text content:

   • More than 800 words total? → Cut to 300-500
   • More than 100 words per section? → Cut to 50-80

4. Adjust figure sizing:

   • Using width=\linewidth? → Change to width=0.85\linewidth
   • Using width=1.0\columnwidth? → Change to width=0.9\columnwidth

5. Increase margins (last resort):

   \documentclass[25pt, a0paper, portrait, margin=25mm]{tikzposter}
   

DO NOT proceed to Step 3 if ANY overflow exists.

Step 3: Visual Inspection Checklist

Open PDF at 100% zoom and check:

Layout and Spacing:

• Content fills entire page (no large white margins)
• Consistent spacing between columns
• Consistent spacing between blocks/sections
• All elements aligned properly (use ruler tool)
• No overlapping text or figures
• White space evenly distributed

Typography:

• Title clearly visible and large (72pt+)
• Section headers readable (48-72pt)
• Body text readable at 100% zoom (24-36pt minimum)
• No text cutoff or running off edges
• Consistent font usage throughout
• All special characters render correctly (symbols, Greek letters)

Visual Elements:

• All figures display correctly
• No pixelated or blurry images
• Figure captions present and readable
• Colors render as expected (not washed out or too dark)
• Logos display clearly
• QR codes visible and scannable

Content Completeness:

• Title and authors complete
• All sections present (Intro, Methods, Results, Conclusions)
• References included
• Contact information visible
• Acknowledgments (if applicable)
• No placeholder text remaining (Lorem ipsum, TODO, etc.)

Technical Quality:

• No LaTeX compilation warnings in important areas
• All citations resolved (no [?] marks)
• All cross-references working
• Page boundaries correct (no content cut off)

Step 4: Reduced-Scale Print Test

Essential Pre-Printing Test:

# Create reduced-size test print (25% of final size)
# This simulates viewing full poster from ~8-10 feet

# For A0 poster, print on A4 paper (24.7% scale)
# For 36x48" poster, print on letter paper (~25% scale)

Print Test Checklist:

• Title readable from 6 feet away
• Section headers readable from 4 feet away
• Body text readable from 2 feet away
• Figures clear and understandable
• Colors printed accurately
• No obvious design flaws

Step 5: Digital Quality Checks

Font Embedding Verification:

# Check that all fonts are embedded (required for printing)
pdffonts poster.pdf

# All fonts should show "yes" in "emb" column
# If any show "no", recompile with:
pdflatex -dEmbedAllFonts=true poster.tex

Image Resolution Check:

# Extract image information
pdfimages -list poster.pdf

# Check that all images are at least 300 DPI
# Formula: DPI = pixels / (inches in poster)
# For A0 width (33.1"): 300 DPI = 9930 pixels minimum

File Size Optimization:

# For email/web, compress if needed (>50MB)
gs -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -dCompatibilityLevel=1.4 \
   -dPDFSETTINGS=/printer -dNOPAUSE -dQUIET -dBATCH \
   -sOutputFile=poster_compressed.pdf poster.pdf

# For printing, keep original (no compression)

Step 6: Accessibility Check

Color Contrast Verification:

• Text-background contrast ratio ≥ 4.5:1 (WCAG AA)
• Important elements contrast ratio ≥ 7:1 (WCAG AAA)
• Test online: https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/

Color Blindness Simulation:

• View PDF through color blindness simulator
• Information not lost with red-green simulation
• Use Coblis (color-blindness.com) or similar tool

Step 7: Content Proofreading

Systematic Review:

• Spell-check all text
• Verify all author names and affiliations
• Check all numbers and statistics for accuracy
• Confirm all citations are correct
• Review figure labels and captions
• Check for typos in headers and titles

Peer Review:

• Ask colleague to review poster
• 30-second test: Can they identify main message?
• 5-minute review: Do they understand conclusions?
• Note any confusing elements

Step 8: Technical Validation

LaTeX Compilation Log Review:

# Check for warnings in .log file
grep -i "warning\|error\|overfull\|underfull" poster.log

# Common issues to fix:
# - Overfull hbox: Text extending beyond margins
# - Underfull hbox: Excessive spacing
# - Missing references: Citations not resolved
# - Missing figures: Image files not found

Fix Common Warnings:

% Overfull hbox (text too wide)
\usepackage{microtype}  % Better spacing
\sloppy  % Allow slightly looser spacing
\hyphenation{long-word}  % Manual hyphenation

% Missing fonts
\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}  % Better font encoding

% Image not found
% Ensure paths are correct and files exist
\graphicspath{{./figures/}{./images/}}

Step 9: Final Pre-Print Checklist

Before Sending to Printer:

• PDF size exactly matches requirements (check with pdfinfo)
• All fonts embedded (check with pdffonts)
• Color mode correct (RGB for screen, CMYK for print if required)
• Bleed area added if required (usually 3-5mm)
• Crop marks visible if required
• Test print completed and reviewed
• File naming clear: [LastName]_[Conference]_Poster.pdf
• Backup copy saved

Printing Specifications to Confirm:

• Paper type (matte vs. glossy)
• Printing method (inkjet, large format, fabric)
• Color profile (provided to printer if required)
• Delivery deadline and shipping address
• Tube or flat packaging preference

Digital Presentation Checklist:

• PDF size optimized (<10MB for email)
• Tested on multiple PDF viewers (Adobe, Preview, etc.)
• Displays correctly on different screens
• QR codes tested and functional
• Alternative formats prepared (PNG for social media)

Review Script (Available in scripts/review_poster.sh):

#!/bin/bash
# Automated poster PDF review script

echo "Poster PDF Quality Check"
echo "======================="

# Check file exists
if [ ! -f "$1" ]; then
    echo "Error: File not found"
    exit 1
fi

echo "File: $1"
echo ""

# Check page size
echo "1. Page Dimensions:"
pdfinfo "$1" | grep "Page size"
echo ""

# Check fonts
echo "2. Font Embedding:"
pdffonts "$1" | head -20
echo ""

# Check file size
echo "3. File Size:"
ls -lh "$1" | awk '{print $5}'
echo ""

# Count pages (should be 1 for poster)
echo "4. Page Count:"
pdfinfo "$1" | grep "Pages"
echo ""

echo "Manual checks required:"
echo "- Visual inspection at 100% zoom"
echo "- Reduced-scale print test (25%)"
echo "- Color contrast verification"
echo "- Proofreading for typos"

Common PDF Issues and Solutions:

Issue	Cause	Solution
Large white margins	Incorrect margin settings	Reduce margin in documentclass
Content cut off	Exceeds page boundaries	Check total width/height calculations
Blurry images	Low resolution (<300 DPI)	Replace with higher resolution images
Missing fonts	Fonts not embedded	Compile with -dEmbedAllFonts=true
Wrong page size	Incorrect paper size setting	Verify documentclass paper size
Colors look wrong	RGB vs CMYK mismatch	Convert color space for print
File too large (>50MB)	Uncompressed images	Optimize images or compress PDF
QR codes don't work	Too small or low resolution	Minimum 2×2cm, high contrast

11. Common Poster Content Patterns

Effective content organization for different research types:

Experimental Research Poster:

1. Title and authors
2. Introduction: Problem and hypothesis
3. Methods: Experimental design (with diagram)
4. Results: Key findings (2-4 main figures)
5. Conclusions: Main takeaways (3-5 bullet points)
6. Future work (optional)
7. References and acknowledgments

Computational/Modeling Poster:

1. Title and authors
2. Motivation: Problem statement
3. Approach: Algorithm or model (with flowchart)
4. Implementation: Technical details
5. Results: Performance metrics and comparisons
6. Applications: Use cases
7. Code availability (QR code to GitHub)
8. References

Review/Survey Poster:

1. Title and authors
2. Scope: Topic overview
3. Methods: Literature search strategy
4. Key findings: Main themes (organized by category)
5. Trends: Visualizations of publication patterns
6. Gaps: Identified research needs
7. Conclusions: Summary and implications
8. References

12. Accessibility and Inclusive Design

Design posters that are accessible to diverse audiences:

Color Blindness Considerations:

• Avoid red-green combinations (most common color blindness)
• Use patterns or shapes in addition to color
• Test with color-blindness simulators
• Provide high contrast (WCAG AA standard: 4.5:1 minimum)

Visual Impairment Accommodations:

• Large, clear fonts (minimum 24pt body text)
• High contrast text and background
• Clear visual hierarchy
• Avoid complex textures or patterns in backgrounds

Language and Content:

• Clear, concise language
• Define acronyms and jargon
• International audience considerations
• Consider multilingual QR code options for global conferences

13. Poster Presentation Best Practices

Guidance beyond LaTeX for effective poster sessions:

Content Strategy:

• Tell a story, don't just list facts
• Focus on 1-3 main messages
• Use visual abstract or graphical summary
• Leave room for conversation (don't over-explain)

Physical Presentation Tips:

• Bring printed handouts or business cards with QR code
• Prepare 30-second, 2-minute, and 5-minute verbal summaries
• Stand to the side, not blocking the poster
• Engage viewers with open-ended questions

Digital Backups:

• Save poster as PDF on mobile device
• Prepare digital version for email sharing
• Create social media-friendly image version
• Have backup printed copy or digital display option

Workflow for Poster Creation

Stage 1: Planning and Content Development

1. Determine poster requirements:

   • Conference size specifications (A0, 36×48", etc.)
   • Orientation (portrait vs. landscape)
   • Submission deadlines and format requirements

2. Develop content outline:

   • Identify 1-3 core messages
   • Select key figures (typically 3-6 main visuals)
   • Draft concise text for each section (bullet points preferred)
   • Aim for 300-800 words total

3. Choose LaTeX package:

   • beamerposter: If familiar with Beamer, need institutional themes
   • tikzposter: For modern, colorful designs with flexibility
   • baposter: For structured, professional multi-column layouts

Stage 2: Generate Visual Elements (AI-Powered)

CRITICAL: Generate SIMPLE figures with MINIMAL content. Each graphic = ONE message.

Content limits:

• Maximum 4-5 elements per graphic
• Maximum 15 words total per graphic
• 50% white space minimum
• GIANT fonts (80pt+ for labels, 120pt+ for key numbers)

1. Create figures directory:

   mkdir -p figures
   

2. Generate SIMPLE visual elements:

   # Introduction - ONLY 3 icons/elements
   python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE visual with ONLY 3 elements: [icon1] [icon2] [icon3]. ONE word labels (80pt+). 50% white space. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/intro.png
   
   # Methods - ONLY 4 steps maximum
   python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE flowchart with ONLY 4 boxes: STEP1 → STEP2 → STEP3 → STEP4. GIANT labels (100pt+). 50% white space. NO sub-steps." -o figures/methods.png
   
   # Results - ONLY 3 bars/comparisons
   python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE chart with ONLY 3 bars. GIANT percentages ON bars (120pt+). NO axis, NO legend. 50% white space." -o figures/results.png
   
   # Conclusions - EXACTLY 3 items with GIANT numbers
   python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. EXACTLY 3 key findings: '[NUMBER]' (150pt) '[LABEL]' (60pt) for each. 50% white space. NO other text." -o figures/conclusions.png
   

3. Review generated figures - check for overflow:

   • View at 25% zoom: All text still readable?
   • Count elements: More than 5? → Regenerate simpler
   • Check white space: Less than 40%? → Add "60% white space" to prompt
   • Font too small?: Add "EVEN LARGER" or increase pt sizes
   • Still overflowing?: Reduce to 3 elements instead of 4-5

Stage 3: Design and Layout

1. Select or create template:

   • Start with provided templates in assets/
   • Customize color scheme to match branding
   • Configure page size and orientation

2. Design layout structure:

   • Plan column structure (2, 3, or 4 columns)
   • Map content flow (typically left-to-right, top-to-bottom)
   • Allocate space for title (10-15%), content (70-80%), footer (5-10%)

3. Set typography:

   • Configure font sizes for different hierarchy levels
   • Ensure minimum 24pt body text
   • Test readability from 4-6 feet distance

Stage 4: Content Integration

1. Create poster header:

   • Title (concise, descriptive, 10-15 words)
   • Authors and affiliations
   • Institution logos (high-resolution)
   • Conference logo if required

2. Integrate AI-generated figures:

   • Add all figures from Stage 2 to appropriate sections
   • Use \includegraphics with proper sizing
   • Ensure figures dominate each section (visuals first, text second)
   • Center figures within blocks for visual impact

3. Add minimal supporting text:

   • Keep text minimal and scannable (300-800 words total)
   • Use bullet points, not paragraphs
   • Write in active voice
   • Text should complement figures, not duplicate them

4. Add supplementary elements:

   • QR codes for supplementary materials
   • References (cite key papers only, 5-10 typical)
   • Contact information and acknowledgments

Stage 5: Refinement and Testing

1. Review and iterate:

   • Check for typos and errors
   • Verify all figures are high resolution
   • Ensure consistent formatting
   • Confirm color scheme works well together

2. Test readability:

   • Print at 25% scale and read from 2-3 feet (simulates poster from 8-12 feet)
   • Check color on different monitors
   • Verify QR codes function correctly
   • Ask colleague to review

3. Optimize for printing:

   • Embed all fonts in PDF
   • Verify image resolution
   • Check PDF size requirements
   • Include bleed area if required

Stage 6: Compilation and Delivery

1. Compile final PDF:

   pdflatex poster.tex
   # Or for better font support:
   lualatex poster.tex
   

2. Verify output quality:

   • Check all elements are visible and correctly positioned
   • Zoom to 100% and inspect figure quality
   • Verify colors match expectations
   • Confirm PDF opens correctly on different viewers

3. Prepare for printing:

   • Export as PDF/X-1a if required
   • Save backup copies
   • Get test print on regular paper first
   • Order professional printing 2-3 days before deadline

4. Create supplementary materials:

   • Save PNG/JPG version for social media
   • Create handout version (8.5×11" summary)
   • Prepare digital version for email sharing

Integration with Other Skills

This skill works effectively with:

• Scientific Schematics: CRITICAL - Use for generating all poster diagrams and flowcharts
• Generate Image / Nano Banana Pro: For stylized graphics, conceptual illustrations, and summary visuals
• Scientific Writing: For developing poster content from papers
• Literature Review: For contextualizing research
• Data Analysis: For creating result figures and charts

Recommended workflow: Always use scientific-schematics and generate-image skills BEFORE creating the LaTeX poster to generate all visual elements.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

AI-Generated Graphics Mistakes (MOST COMMON):

• ❌ Too many elements in one graphic (10+ items) → Keep to 3-5 max
• ❌ Text too small in AI graphics → Specify "GIANT (100pt+)" or "HUGE (150pt+)"
• ❌ Too much detail in prompts → Use "SIMPLE" and "ONLY X elements"
• ❌ No white space specification → Add "50% white space" to every prompt
• ❌ Complex flowcharts with 8+ steps → Limit to 4-5 steps maximum
• ❌ Comparison charts with 6+ items → Limit to 3 items maximum
• ❌ Key findings with 5+ metrics → Show only top 3

Fixing Overflow in AI Graphics: If your AI-generated graphics are overflowing or have small text:

1. Add "SIMPLER" or "ONLY 3 elements" to prompt
2. Increase font sizes: "150pt+" instead of "80pt+"
3. Add "60% white space" instead of "50%"
4. Remove sub-details: "NO sub-steps", "NO axis labels", "NO legend"
5. Regenerate with fewer elements

Design Mistakes:

• ❌ Too much text (over 1000 words)
• ❌ Font sizes too small (under 24pt body text)
• ❌ Low-contrast color combinations
• ❌ Cluttered layout with no white space
• ❌ Inconsistent styling across sections
• ❌ Poor quality or pixelated images

Content Mistakes:

• ❌ No clear narrative or message
• ❌ Too many research questions or objectives
• ❌ Overuse of jargon without definitions
• ❌ Results without context or interpretation
• ❌ Missing author contact information

Technical Mistakes:

• ❌ Wrong poster dimensions for conference requirements
• ❌ RGB colors sent to CMYK printer (color shift)
• ❌ Fonts not embedded in PDF
• ❌ File size too large for submission portal
• ❌ QR codes too small or not tested

Best Practices:

• ✅ Generate SIMPLE AI graphics with 3-5 elements max
• ✅ Use GIANT fonts (100pt+) for key numbers in graphics
• ✅ Specify "50% white space" in every AI prompt
• ✅ Follow conference size specifications exactly
• ✅ Test print at reduced scale before final printing
• ✅ Use high-contrast, accessible color schemes
• ✅ Keep text minimal and highly scannable
• ✅ Include clear contact information and QR codes
• ✅ Proofread carefully (errors are magnified on posters!)

Package Installation

Ensure required LaTeX packages are installed:

# For TeX Live (Linux/Mac)
tlmgr install beamerposter tikzposter baposter

# For MiKTeX (Windows)
# Packages typically auto-install on first use

# Additional recommended packages
tlmgr install qrcode graphics xcolor tcolorbox subcaption

Scripts and Automation

Helper scripts available in scripts/ directory:

• review_poster.sh: Poster review and validation
• generate_schematic.py: Generate scientific diagrams and schematics

References

Comprehensive reference files for detailed guidance:

• references/latex_poster_packages.md: Detailed comparison of beamerposter, tikzposter, and baposter with examples
• references/poster_layout_design.md: Layout principles, grid systems, and visual flow
• references/poster_design_principles.md: Typography, color theory, visual hierarchy, and accessibility
• references/poster_content_guide.md: Content organization, writing style, and section-specific guidance

Templates

Ready-to-use poster templates in assets/ directory:

• beamerposter templates (classic, modern, colorful)
• tikzposter templates (default, rays, wave, envelope)
• baposter templates (portrait, landscape, minimal)
• Example posters from various scientific disciplines
• Color scheme definitions and institutional templates

Load these templates and customize for your specific research and conference requirements.