Posters

Posters must make an immediate impact to be effective. They typically compete with other posters for the viewers attention, so they must clearly and effectively communicate your message. It is important that all posters designed for university units follow all of the guidelines within the Iowa State University visual identity system.

Dynamic photos and bold use of typography and color will help draw attention to your message. Use short headlines, or emphasize key words by using a larger and bolder typeface, as in the examples below. Use the univers family of type for attention-getting headlines. Using colors from the primary color palette to call out important words will also draw attention.

If you have more than one paragraph of text, consider using ITC Berkeley. Univers bold and black are good choices for subheads, call outs, and photo captions.

The university nameplate with the unit identifier or appropriate themeline is usually used to anchor the bottom of a poster.

Many posters incorporate some type of return mechanism, often either a business reply card or a small, removable card, similar to a "post-it" note, that contains important contact information. Printing Services can provide details on these and other techniques.