Posters usually have a utilitarian purpose. Typically they are related to advertising and marketing, and in this regard, they are used to relay a message to a specific audience. The practical nature of posters, however, does not mean that they cannot be aesthetically pleasing. To the contrary, the more attractive a poster is, the more effective it is in imparting its message. The primary purpose in designing an attractive poster is to capture people's attention. Once you have their attention, then you can effectively deliver your message.

Things You Will Need

  • Computer illustration software

  • Poster paints

  • Markers

Study posters that have good aesthetic qualities. To make an attractive poster, do some research and keep a list of ideas. This will provide you with useful resources when you are designing your poster.

Decide which method to use. You can either make it by hand or use a computer program. If you decide to create your poster by hand, then you need: neat handwriting, good-quality poster paints, markers and pencils. If you go the computer route, there are a number of computer programs available for poster making, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Powerpoint.

Choose a simple message. You should use larger letters for the main message and smaller lettering for additional details. This allows the message to stand out and helps to spatially organize the poster. The sense of proportion is an important aesthetic quality.

Develop a color pattern. Make sure that the message is not hidden or engulfed by the background colors. Choose a suitable background color that complements your message. Decorate the borders with colors that help draw attention to the poster.

Make sure your poster is readable and legible. Most people view posters from a distance of 6 to 10 feet. This is a good rule of thumb to use in the construction of your poster. You want the aesthetic qualities of the poster to attract an audience and to make the poster's message easily accessible.

Consider who your audience is. It is important to know what appeals to the group that you are targeting. Aesthetic taste will vary among different groups of people, so keep in mind who you are speaking to as you create your design.

Tip

Studies show that 11 seconds is the average amount of time a person will spend looking at a poster. Make sure there are no grammar mistakes or misspellings in your poster.