Thematic posters can be based on any number of themes. They are a staple at scientific conferences. For example, a scientific conference on lipids or hypertension would set aside an area where scientists can present their posters on these subjects to the audience. In like manner, other types of conferences, such as those for business, the arts and engineering, do the same. Thematic posters can also be used in classrooms as a teaching tool. Posters can be created on themes such as different holidays, numbers, nationalities, sports, animals and food, among other subjects.
The content of a thematic poster must match with the chosen theme of the conference or event in which it is displayed. The title and the author's name should be clearly visible and well-marked. Do not attempt to cover every subject, as it is not possible in this format. Rather, focus on the message and the major points you want to address.
Design in a thematic poster is extremely important. Much of the information can be presented in graphic form, such as tables or images, so that it will catch the eye and inform quickly. Color can be used to emphasize specific points. Information that is crammed onto the poster will not be read, so make sure that there is white space between diagrams or text. Posters are also read from about 3 feet away so text should be a minimum of 24 points in size.
Simple thematic posters can be created easily on your computer through Microsoft Word or Power Point. Power Point thematic posters can be produced as one slide. Use the Drawing toolbar in Microsoft Word to create images or text boxes for your thematic poster. This tool also allows you to control where you want the text to display. The posters can be scaled up to size once you are ready to print the final copy.