make-poster

name

make-poster

description

Creates and checks conference research posters and short poster-session pitches. Use when the user asks to make a poster, prepare a research poster, adapt a paper into a poster, fit a poster to A0/A1/36x48in, check a beamerposter or tikzposter file, reuse paper figures, or write a 2-minute or 5-minute poster pitch. Bundled scripts resolve poster dimensions, inventory reusable figures, lint print-day problems, and time spoken pitches.

Make Poster

Turn a paper or poster draft into a print-ready conference poster plan, with real dimensions, readable typography, figure reuse, and a timed short pitch. This skill is for posters and poster-session delivery; use make-slides for podium talks.

When to use

• The user needs a research poster for a conference, workshop, demo session, or department event.
• The venue gives a size such as A0, A1, 36x48in, 48x36in, or a custom board.
• A LaTeX poster already exists and needs a print-day lint pass.
• The user wants a 2-minute or 5-minute pitch for visitors.

Inputs

• Poster size from presenter instructions or the acceptance email. Do not guess the board size from memory.
• Optional: the paper's main .tex file, so figures can be inventoried and copied from the source tree.
• Optional: existing poster source, usually beamerposter or tikzposter.
• Optional: draft pitch text in markdown or plain text.

Process

1. Confirm the physical size and orientation. Run:

   python3 scripts/poster_size.py --size 36x48in
   python3 scripts/poster_size.py --size a0 --orientation portrait
   

   If the venue also gives a board limit, include it:

   python3 scripts/poster_size.py --size 36x48in --board 48x96in
   

2. Inventory paper figures when a LaTeX paper source is available:

   python3 scripts/poster_figures.py paper/main.tex --copy-to poster/assets
   

   Prefer figures that are central to the paper's claim, cited often, and still readable when enlarged. Avoid cramming full paper multi-panel figures onto the poster without simplification.

3. Draft or revise the poster around a small number of claims. A good poster is not a paper pasted onto a board: use claim-style section headings, one hero visual, short method/evaluation blocks, and a clear takeaway with contact information or a QR code.

4. Lint the poster source:

   python3 scripts/poster_lint.py poster/poster.tex --expect-size 36x48in
   

   Fix every RISK finding before sending to print. With --strict, warnings also fail the run.

5. Time the pitch:

   python3 scripts/pitch_check.py poster/pitch-2min.md --minutes 2
   python3 scripts/pitch_check.py poster/pitch-5min.md --minutes 5
   

   Keep the short pitch conversational. It should end by inviting the visitor into the discussion rather than dumping every result.

Output

• Exact poster dimensions and suggested LaTeX invocation.
• Figure inventory and recommended hero-figure candidates.
• Lint report with print-day risks and warnings.
• A timed 2-minute or 5-minute pitch, or feedback on an existing pitch.

Guardrails

• Never invent venue size, board size, or print requirements.
• Never alter data values, axes, or results to make a figure look better.
• Do not reproduce third-party figures unless the user has rights to use them.
• Keep posters readable from a distance: if text only fits at tiny sizes, cut it.