Final Project

Final Project

Posters

About posters: Many key areas of sophisticated visual computing are in the sciences. Scientists communicate about or with visual computing primarily through papers, conference presentations, and scientific posters. Posters in this context are not advertisements and are not meant to be plastered up on walls, rather they are like a very large handout for a short presentation, enabling Q&A in a poster presentation session at a conference, and giving curious viewers a high-level sense of what a project is all about. They depend on communicating a few points, using mostly large text, having effective, compelling graphics, and guiding the viewer visually through several layers of content.
Posters on walls outside of Lubrano
Creating Effective Poster Presentations, George R. Hess - NC State University / Leon H. Liegel - Oregon State University Created: January 2000, Last Update: January 2004 http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/

These examples are not necessarily well designed! But they give the basic idea...
- gravitational waves http://www.rzg.mpg.de/projects/networking/sc97/
- gis database and terrain modeling http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jeadams/WebSite/Visualization_Poster.JPG
- pathogens in groundwater http://serc.carleton.edu/images/NAGTWorkshops/health04/WoessnerPosterImage.gif

Project Description

Create a poster explaining an area of computer-based visual research at Brown. The area does not have to be in the sciences. Interesting projects are going on in art, art history, and other non-scientific fields. Please feel free to interpret "research" broadly as "interesting work," not only formal funded research projects.
- A list of faculty using visual computer to explore different research areas
- Read about the general area and specific work/project.
- Let us know who you would like to contact (if you don't already know them)
- Interview faculty or staff
- Prepare visual and textual presentation/analysis of the work
  - what is the field?
  - what is the goal of the research?
  - how is visual computing used?
  - what technical computer graphics aspects are important?
  - what other disciplines are important (design, cog sci, others...) and how are they integrated?
  - your text should include your thoughts about the work from different disciplinary perspectives--much as in the writing assignment.
  - The poster is about your thoughts/explanations--not trying to replicate what the researchers themselves would have made.
- Other data to include:
  - names and dpt.'s (or centers, programs, etc.) of researchers.
  - references to papers or other resources as appropriate (see style guides at http://www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Writing_Center/style.htm. It doesn't matter which system you use, but use only one!)
  - your name
  - Brown university logo (read about the logo and proper usage. Low-res versions at http://www.brown.edu/webmaster/visual_identity/logo.html). High-res version up for this class at TBA.
- Audience is general interested public (i.e., don't assume deep knowledge of the field.)
- Poster design should reflect design and perception principles covered in class.
Technical details
- Dimensions ( 36" x 24"), leave at least a 1/4inch margin.
- Posters must be submitted as pdf. (Illustrator, InDesign, PageMaker, or Quark Express files OK, but be sure to list all fonts used and include copies if they are not common fonts). JPG or TIFF are fine too, although the file size will be very large! Use the "embed fonts" option when making a pdf to minimize font issues.
- See Graphic Service's print guidelines for further info!
- Print a small version so we know how everything should look and can alert you if things are not going to print correctly from Graphic Services' machines.
- On your printout put your name and the best way to reach you if anything needs to be redone. Cell phone is optimal. If you are going to be unreachable past early afternoon on Monday, please call me (225-2608) to check in and make sure everything is set with your print file.
- Bring $20 cash or check (made out to Brown University) to get your print on Friday, May 13. This is a discount from the $48 it would regularly cost, thanks to a discount from Graphic Services and contributions from the CS24 course grant from Atlantic Philanthropies.
- Printing large dark areas: If you're wondering whether you can print dark backgrounds or other large dark areas, Graphic Services says, "Yes, you can."
- Illustrator is a good program to use: Although for some reason it's not on the Graphic Services list of suggested program, they have confirmed that it is fine to use (just remember to save as pdf).
- Layers in pdf: you don't need to retain any layers but you can if you like.
- Linked files and pdf.s: even if it seems as if pdf has incorporated all your files, please include all files used on yr CD (and fonts if you used non-standard fonts).
- Proofing: If you are ready to print early--say Monday morning, you may be able to get a proof print done. This is always a good idea if there's time. Contact me if you think you'd like to do this. Proof prints are free of charge.
Due: Files and printout due by midnight May 9. Put printout and CD with file (or email file) under my office door (CIT Rm 468) or in my CS mailbox--down the hall from the receptionists' desk (and they can help you located it too).
- After hours drop-off location: If you want to drop off your CD/printout after hours on Monday, please use the CS16 (it will be relabelled soon) box in the TA room on the 2nd floor of the CIT.
- Although the official deadline is midnight of Monday, May 9, if it's more conventient you can also drop off your CD/printout between 9 and 9:30 Tuesday morning on the 4th floor, as described below. By 10am I plan to be at Graphic Services proofing yr files...

Assessment

Does poster convey role of visual computing and its influence on one or more disciplines?
Does poster demonstrate basic design skills?