I’ve done several research posters before, but haven’t always been pleased with the way they’ve turned out. With this contract I was determined to make a poster that would stand out in the crowd and be a better representation of my skills, as well as of the information being presented.

The role of Physician Assistant/Physician Associate is one that is on the rise, and does make financial sense for those going into healthcare fields. This poster needed to demonstrate the study findings that reflected this, and catch the eye of those who might be considering it as a potential lcareer.

One of the researchers and poster presenters is affiliated with University of Utah Health, which I’ve known to have strong and well-defined branding guidelines. Since this study was not directly linked to the U, it would have been inappropriate to utilize their logo — but utilizing some of their branding elements as design inspiration would give a subtle nod to those in the know. Their branding guidelines are freely accessible online, and gave the poster a very pulled-together look.

While designing the poster elements I actually came across a discrepancy in data — one section of the paper claiming total lifetime earnings as a vastly different number than their provided graph claimed. The data was reassessed and paper corrected for consistency.

The data from the study worked well in a visual medium; always my preference over bullets in a text block. I pulled the variables from their invented case study out into circles surrounding a cutout photo of their imaginary PA. This photo I actually directed myself after stock image searches yielded unexciting results — a friend in the medical field graciously agreed to have her photo used for this.

This poster wowed the researchers who had contracted me for poster design, and the feeling was mutual with the presenters. This was presented at the Physician Assistant Education Association conference and is available online through May 2023.