Figures and other forms of visual representation can have a huge impact on the communication of research to a broader audience.  A well designed figure can summarize research, captivate audience interest, and/or explain complicated phenomena and processes.  Likewise, becoming familiar with good strategies for poster design allows researchers to take full advantage of the opportunity to network with colleagues and promote their own research.  This workshop will cover basic considerations for designing effective academic figures and posters, including use of color, layout, fonts/typography, and software choices.