latex-posters

Files (11)

• SKILL.md
• baposter_template.tex · assets/
• beamerposter_template.tex · assets/
• poster_quality_checklist.md · assets/
• tikzposter_template.tex · assets/
• README.md · references/
• latex_poster_packages.md · references/
• poster_content_guide.md · references/
• poster_design_principles.md · references/
• poster_layout_design.md · references/
• review_poster.sh · scripts/

SKILL.md (first lines)

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

**4. Check for Overflow Before Printing:**
```bash
# 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

From qinyan-ai/qinyan-academic-skills, MIT.

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