scientific-writer 2.3.1__py3-none-any.whl

scientific_writer/.claude/skills/latex-posters/SKILL.md

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+---
+name: latex-posters
+description: "Create professional research posters in LaTeX using beamerposter, tikzposter, or baposter. Support for conference presentations, academic posters, and scientific communication. Includes layout design, color schemes, multi-column formats, figure integration, and poster-specific best practices for visual communication."
+---
+
+# 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
+
+## Core Capabilities
+
+### 1. LaTeX Poster Packages
+
+Support for three major LaTeX poster packages, each with distinct advantages. For detailed comparison and package-specific guidance, refer to `references/latex_poster_packages.md`.
+
+**beamerposter**:
+- Extension of the Beamer presentation class
+- Familiar syntax for Beamer users
+- Excellent theme support and customization
+- Best for: Traditional academic posters, institutional branding
+
+**tikzposter**:
+- Modern, flexible design with TikZ integration
+- Built-in color themes and layout templates
+- Extensive customization through TikZ commands
+- Best for: Colorful, modern designs, custom graphics
+
+**baposter**:
+- Box-based layout system
+- Automatic spacing and positioning
+- Professional-looking default styles
+- Best for: Multi-column layouts, consistent spacing
+
+### 2. Poster Layout and Structure
+
+Create effective poster layouts following visual communication principles. For comprehensive layout guidance, refer to `references/poster_layout_design.md`.
+
+**Common Poster Sections**:
+- **Header/Title**: Title, authors, affiliations, logos
+- **Introduction/Background**: Research context and motivation
+- **Methods/Approach**: Methodology and experimental design
+- **Results**: Key findings with figures and data visualizations
+- **Conclusions**: Main takeaways and implications
+- **References**: Key citations (typically abbreviated)
+- **Acknowledgments**: Funding, collaborators, institutions
+
+**Layout Strategies**:
+- **Column-based layouts**: 2-column, 3-column, or 4-column grids
+- **Block-based layouts**: Flexible arrangement of content blocks
+- **Z-pattern flow**: Guide readers through content logically
+- **Visual hierarchy**: Use size, color, and spacing to emphasize key points
+
+### 3. Design Principles for Research Posters
+
+Apply evidence-based design principles for maximum impact. For detailed design guidance, refer to `references/poster_design_principles.md`.
+
+**Typography**:
+- Title: 72-120pt for visibility from distance
+- Section headers: 48-72pt
+- Body text: 24-36pt minimum for readability from 4-6 feet
+- Use sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Calibri) for clarity
+- Limit to 2-3 font families maximum
+
+**Color and Contrast**:
+- Use high-contrast color schemes for readability
+- Institutional color palettes for branding
+- Color-blind friendly palettes (avoid red-green combinations)
+- White space is active space—don't overcrowd
+
+**Visual Elements**:
+- High-resolution figures (300 DPI minimum for print)
+- Large, clear labels on all figures
+- Consistent figure styling throughout
+- Strategic use of icons and graphics
+- Balance text with visual content (40-50% visual recommended)
+
+**Content Guidelines**:
+- **Less is more**: 300-800 words total recommended
+- Bullet points over paragraphs for scannability
+- Clear, concise messaging
+- Self-explanatory figures with minimal text explanation
+- QR codes for supplementary materials or online resources
+
+### 4. Standard Poster Sizes
+
+Support for international and conference-specific poster dimensions:
+
+**International Standards**:
+- A0 (841 × 1189 mm / 33.1 × 46.8 inches) - Most common European standard
+- A1 (594 × 841 mm / 23.4 × 33.1 inches) - Smaller format
+- A2 (420 × 594 mm / 16.5 × 23.4 inches) - Compact posters
+
+**North American Standards**:
+- 36 × 48 inches (914 × 1219 mm) - Common US conference size
+- 42 × 56 inches (1067 × 1422 mm) - Large format
+- 48 × 72 inches (1219 × 1829 mm) - Extra large
+
+**Orientation**:
+- Portrait (vertical) - Most common, traditional
+- Landscape (horizontal) - Better for wide content, timelines
+
+### 5. Package-Specific Templates
+
+Provide ready-to-use templates for each major package. Templates available in `assets/` directory.
+
+**beamerposter Templates**:
+- `beamerposter_classic.tex` - Traditional academic style
+- `beamerposter_modern.tex` - Clean, minimal design
+- `beamerposter_colorful.tex` - Vibrant theme with blocks
+
+**tikzposter Templates**:
+- `tikzposter_default.tex` - Standard tikzposter layout
+- `tikzposter_rays.tex` - Modern design with ray theme
+- `tikzposter_wave.tex` - Professional wave-style theme
+
+**baposter Templates**:
+- `baposter_portrait.tex` - Classic portrait layout
+- `baposter_landscape.tex` - Landscape multi-column
+- `baposter_minimal.tex` - Minimalist design
+
+### 6. Figure and Image Integration
+
+Optimize visual content for poster presentations:
+
+**Best Practices**:
+- Use vector graphics (PDF, SVG) when possible for scalability
+- Raster images: minimum 300 DPI at final print size
+- Consistent image styling (borders, captions, sizes)
+- Group related figures together
+- Use subfigures for comparisons
+
+**LaTeX Figure Commands**:
+```latex
+% Include graphics package
+\usepackage{graphicx}
+
+% Simple figure
+\includegraphics[width=0.8\linewidth]{figure.pdf}
+
+% Figure with caption in tikzposter
+\block{Results}{
+  \begin{tikzfigure}
+    \includegraphics[width=0.9\linewidth]{results.png}
+  \end{tikzfigure}
+}
+
+% Multiple subfigures
+\usepackage{subcaption}
+\begin{figure}
+  \begin{subfigure}{0.48\linewidth}
+    \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{fig1.pdf}
+    \caption{Condition A}
+  \end{subfigure}
+  \begin{subfigure}{0.48\linewidth}
+    \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{fig2.pdf}
+    \caption{Condition B}
+  \end{subfigure}
+\end{figure}
+```
+
+### 7. Color Schemes and Themes
+
+Provide professional color palettes for various contexts:
+
+**Academic Institution Colors**:
+- Match university or department branding
+- Use official color codes (RGB, CMYK, or LaTeX color definitions)
+
+**Scientific Color Palettes** (color-blind friendly):
+- Viridis: Professional gradient from purple to yellow
+- ColorBrewer: Research-tested palettes for data visualization
+- IBM Color Blind Safe: Accessible corporate palette
+
+**Package-Specific Theme Selection**:
+
+**beamerposter**:
+```latex
+\usetheme{Berlin}
+\usecolortheme{beaver}
+```
+
+**tikzposter**:
+```latex
+\usetheme{Rays}
+\usecolorstyle{Denmark}
+```
+
+**baposter**:
+```latex
+\begin{poster}{
+  background=plain,
+  bgColorOne=white,
+  headerColorOne=blue!70,
+  textborder=rounded
+}
+```
+
+### 8. Typography and Text Formatting
+
+Ensure readability and visual appeal:
+
+**Font Selection**:
+```latex
+% Sans-serif fonts recommended for posters
+\usepackage{helvet}      % Helvetica
+\usepackage{avant}       % Avant Garde
+\usepackage{sfmath}      % Sans-serif math fonts
+
+% Set default to sans-serif
+\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}
+```
+
+**Text Sizing**:
+```latex
+% Adjust text sizes for visibility
+\setbeamerfont{title}{size=\VeryHuge}
+\setbeamerfont{author}{size=\Large}
+\setbeamerfont{institute}{size=\normalsize}
+```
+
+**Emphasis and Highlighting**:
+- Use bold for key terms: `\textbf{important}`
+- Color highlights sparingly: `\textcolor{blue}{highlight}`
+- Boxes for critical information
+- Avoid italics (harder to read from distance)
+
+### 9. QR Codes and Interactive Elements
+
+Enhance poster interactivity for modern conferences:
+
+**QR Code Integration**:
+```latex
+\usepackage{qrcode}
+
+% Link to paper, code repository, or supplementary materials
+\qrcode[height=2cm]{https://github.com/username/project}
+
+% QR code with caption
+\begin{center}
+  \qrcode[height=3cm]{https://doi.org/10.1234/paper}\\
+  \small Scan for full paper
+\end{center}
+```
+
+**Digital Enhancements**:
+- Link to GitHub repositories for code
+- Link to video presentations or demos
+- Link to interactive web visualizations
+- Link to supplementary data or appendices
+
+### 10. Compilation and Output
+
+Generate high-quality PDF output for printing or digital display:
+
+**Compilation Commands**:
+```bash
+# Basic compilation
+pdflatex poster.tex
+
+# With bibliography
+pdflatex poster.tex
+bibtex poster
+pdflatex poster.tex
+pdflatex poster.tex
+
+# For beamer-based posters
+lualatex poster.tex  # Better font support
+xelatex poster.tex   # Unicode and modern fonts
+```
+
+**Ensuring Full Page Coverage**:
+
+Posters should use the entire page without excessive margins. Configure packages correctly:
+
+**beamerposter - Full Page Setup**:
+```latex
+\documentclass[final,t]{beamer}
+\usepackage[size=a0,scale=1.4,orientation=portrait]{beamerposter}
+
+% Remove default beamer margins
+\setbeamersize{text margin left=0mm, text margin right=0mm}
+
+% Use geometry for precise control
+\usepackage[margin=10mm]{geometry}  % 10mm margins all around
+
+% Remove navigation symbols
+\setbeamertemplate{navigation symbols}{}
+
+% Remove footline and headline if not needed
+\setbeamertemplate{footline}{}
+\setbeamertemplate{headline}{}
+```
+
+**tikzposter - Full Page Setup**:
+```latex
+\documentclass[
+  25pt,                      % Font scaling
+  a0paper,                   % Paper size
+  portrait,                  % Orientation
+  margin=10mm,               % Outer margins (minimal)
+  innermargin=15mm,          % Space inside blocks
+  blockverticalspace=15mm,   % Space between blocks
+  colspace=15mm,             % Space between columns
+  subcolspace=8mm            % Space between subcolumns
+]{tikzposter}
+
+% This ensures content fills the page
+```
+
+**baposter - Full Page Setup**:
+```latex
+\documentclass[a0paper,portrait,fontscale=0.285]{baposter}
+
+\begin{poster}{
+  grid=false,
+  columns=3,
+  colspacing=1.5em,          % Space between columns
+  eyecatcher=true,
+  background=plain,
+  bgColorOne=white,
+  borderColor=blue!50,
+  headerheight=0.12\textheight,  % 12% for header
+  textborder=roundedleft,
+  headerborder=closed,
+  boxheaderheight=2em        % Consistent box header heights
+}
+% Content here
+\end{poster}
+```
+
+**Common Issues and Fixes**:
+
+**Problem**: Large white margins around poster
+```latex
+% Fix for beamerposter
+\setbeamersize{text margin left=5mm, text margin right=5mm}
+
+% Fix for tikzposter
+\documentclass[..., margin=5mm, innermargin=10mm]{tikzposter}
+
+% Fix for baposter - adjust in document class
+\documentclass[a0paper, margin=5mm]{baposter}
+```
+
+**Problem**: Content doesn't fill vertical space
+```latex
+% Use \vfill between sections to distribute space
+\block{Introduction}{...}
+\vfill
+\block{Methods}{...}
+\vfill
+\block{Results}{...}
+
+% Or manually adjust block spacing
+\vspace{1cm}  % Add space between specific blocks
+```
+
+**Problem**: Poster extends beyond page boundaries
+```latex
+% Check total width calculation
+% For 3 columns with spacing:
+% Total = 3×columnwidth + 2×colspace + 2×margins
+% Ensure this equals \paperwidth
+
+% Debug by adding visible page boundary
+\usepackage{eso-pic}
+\AddToShipoutPictureBG{
+  \AtPageLowerLeft{
+    \put(0,0){\framebox(\LenToUnit{\paperwidth},\LenToUnit{\paperheight}){}}
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Print Preparation**:
+- Generate PDF/X-1a for professional printing
+- Embed all fonts
+- Convert colors to CMYK if required
+- Check resolution of all images (minimum 300 DPI)
+- Add bleed area if required by printer (usually 3-5mm)
+- Verify page size matches requirements exactly
+
+**Digital Display**:
+- RGB color space for screen display
+- Optimize file size for email/web
+- Test readability on different screens
+
+### 11. PDF Review and Quality Control
+
+**CRITICAL**: Always review the generated PDF before printing or presenting. Use this systematic checklist:
+
+**Step 1: Page Size Verification**
+```bash
+# Check PDF dimensions (should match poster size exactly)
+pdfinfo poster.pdf | grep "Page size"
+
+# Expected outputs:
+# A0: 2384 x 3370 points (841 x 1189 mm)
+# 36x48": 2592 x 3456 points
+# A1: 1684 x 2384 points (594 x 841 mm)
+```
+
+**Step 2: Visual Inspection Checklist**
+
+Open PDF at 100% zoom and check:
+
+**Layout and Spacing**:
+- [ ] Content fills entire page (no large white margins)
+- [ ] Consistent spacing between columns
+- [ ] Consistent spacing between blocks/sections
+- [ ] All elements aligned properly (use ruler tool)
+- [ ] No overlapping text or figures
+- [ ] White space evenly distributed
+
+**Typography**:
+- [ ] Title clearly visible and large (72pt+)
+- [ ] Section headers readable (48-72pt)
+- [ ] Body text readable at 100% zoom (24-36pt minimum)
+- [ ] No text cutoff or running off edges
+- [ ] Consistent font usage throughout
+- [ ] All special characters render correctly (symbols, Greek letters)
+
+**Visual Elements**:
+- [ ] All figures display correctly
+- [ ] No pixelated or blurry images
+- [ ] Figure captions present and readable
+- [ ] Colors render as expected (not washed out or too dark)
+- [ ] Logos display clearly
+- [ ] QR codes visible and scannable
+
+**Content Completeness**:
+- [ ] Title and authors complete
+- [ ] All sections present (Intro, Methods, Results, Conclusions)
+- [ ] References included
+- [ ] Contact information visible
+- [ ] Acknowledgments (if applicable)
+- [ ] No placeholder text remaining (Lorem ipsum, TODO, etc.)
+
+**Technical Quality**:
+- [ ] No LaTeX compilation warnings in important areas
+- [ ] All citations resolved (no [?] marks)
+- [ ] All cross-references working
+- [ ] Page boundaries correct (no content cut off)
+
+**Step 3: Reduced-Scale Print Test**
+
+**Essential Pre-Printing Test**:
+```bash
+# Create reduced-size test print (25% of final size)
+# This simulates viewing full poster from ~8-10 feet
+
+# For A0 poster, print on A4 paper (24.7% scale)
+# For 36x48" poster, print on letter paper (~25% scale)
+```
+
+**Print Test Checklist**:
+- [ ] Title readable from 6 feet away
+- [ ] Section headers readable from 4 feet away
+- [ ] Body text readable from 2 feet away
+- [ ] Figures clear and understandable
+- [ ] Colors printed accurately
+- [ ] No obvious design flaws
+
+**Step 4: Digital Quality Checks**
+
+**Font Embedding Verification**:
+```bash
+# Check that all fonts are embedded (required for printing)
+pdffonts poster.pdf
+
+# All fonts should show "yes" in "emb" column
+# If any show "no", recompile with:
+pdflatex -dEmbedAllFonts=true poster.tex
+```
+
+**Image Resolution Check**:
+```bash
+# Extract image information
+pdfimages -list poster.pdf
+
+# Check that all images are at least 300 DPI
+# Formula: DPI = pixels / (inches in poster)
+# For A0 width (33.1"): 300 DPI = 9930 pixels minimum
+```
+
+**File Size Optimization**:
+```bash
+# For email/web, compress if needed (>50MB)
+gs -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -dCompatibilityLevel=1.4 \
+   -dPDFSETTINGS=/printer -dNOPAUSE -dQUIET -dBATCH \
+   -sOutputFile=poster_compressed.pdf poster.pdf
+
+# For printing, keep original (no compression)
+```
+
+**Step 5: Accessibility Check**
+
+**Color Contrast Verification**:
+- [ ] Text-background contrast ratio ≥ 4.5:1 (WCAG AA)
+- [ ] Important elements contrast ratio ≥ 7:1 (WCAG AAA)
+- Test online: https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/
+
+**Color Blindness Simulation**:
+- [ ] View PDF through color blindness simulator
+- [ ] Information not lost with red-green simulation
+- [ ] Use Coblis (color-blindness.com) or similar tool
+
+**Step 6: Content Proofreading**
+
+**Systematic Review**:
+- [ ] Spell-check all text
+- [ ] Verify all author names and affiliations
+- [ ] Check all numbers and statistics for accuracy
+- [ ] Confirm all citations are correct
+- [ ] Review figure labels and captions
+- [ ] Check for typos in headers and titles
+
+**Peer Review**:
+- [ ] Ask colleague to review poster
+- [ ] 30-second test: Can they identify main message?
+- [ ] 5-minute review: Do they understand conclusions?
+- [ ] Note any confusing elements
+
+**Step 7: Technical Validation**
+
+**LaTeX Compilation Log Review**:
+```bash
+# Check for warnings in .log file
+grep -i "warning\|error\|overfull\|underfull" poster.log
+
+# Common issues to fix:
+# - Overfull hbox: Text extending beyond margins
+# - Underfull hbox: Excessive spacing
+# - Missing references: Citations not resolved
+# - Missing figures: Image files not found
+```
+
+**Fix Common Warnings**:
+```latex
+% Overfull hbox (text too wide)
+\usepackage{microtype}  % Better spacing
+\sloppy  % Allow slightly looser spacing
+\hyphenation{long-word}  % Manual hyphenation
+
+% Missing fonts
+\usepackage[T1]{fontenc}  % Better font encoding
+
+% Image not found
+% Ensure paths are correct and files exist
+\graphicspath{{./figures/}{./images/}}
+```
+
+**Step 8: Final Pre-Print Checklist**
+
+**Before Sending to Printer**:
+- [ ] PDF size exactly matches requirements (check with pdfinfo)
+- [ ] All fonts embedded (check with pdffonts)
+- [ ] Color mode correct (RGB for screen, CMYK for print if required)
+- [ ] Bleed area added if required (usually 3-5mm)
+- [ ] Crop marks visible if required
+- [ ] Test print completed and reviewed
+- [ ] File naming clear: [LastName]_[Conference]_Poster.pdf
+- [ ] Backup copy saved
+
+**Printing Specifications to Confirm**:
+- [ ] Paper type (matte vs. glossy)
+- [ ] Printing method (inkjet, large format, fabric)
+- [ ] Color profile (provided to printer if required)
+- [ ] Delivery deadline and shipping address
+- [ ] Tube or flat packaging preference
+
+**Digital Presentation Checklist**:
+- [ ] PDF size optimized (<10MB for email)
+- [ ] Tested on multiple PDF viewers (Adobe, Preview, etc.)
+- [ ] Displays correctly on different screens
+- [ ] QR codes tested and functional
+- [ ] Alternative formats prepared (PNG for social media)
+
+**Review Script** (Available in `scripts/review_poster.sh`):
+```bash
+#!/bin/bash
+# Automated poster PDF review script
+
+echo "Poster PDF Quality Check"
+echo "======================="
+
+# Check file exists
+if [ ! -f "$1" ]; then
+    echo "Error: File not found"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "File: $1"
+echo ""
+
+# Check page size
+echo "1. Page Dimensions:"
+pdfinfo "$1" | grep "Page size"
+echo ""
+
+# Check fonts
+echo "2. Font Embedding:"
+pdffonts "$1" | head -20
+echo ""
+
+# Check file size
+echo "3. File Size:"
+ls -lh "$1" | awk '{print $5}'
+echo ""
+
+# Count pages (should be 1 for poster)
+echo "4. Page Count:"
+pdfinfo "$1" | grep "Pages"
+echo ""
+
+echo "Manual checks required:"
+echo "- Visual inspection at 100% zoom"
+echo "- Reduced-scale print test (25%)"
+echo "- Color contrast verification"
+echo "- Proofreading for typos"
+```
+
+**Common PDF Issues and Solutions**:
+
+| Issue | Cause | Solution |
+|-------|-------|----------|
+| Large white margins | Incorrect margin settings | Reduce margin in documentclass |
+| Content cut off | Exceeds page boundaries | Check total width/height calculations |
+| Blurry images | Low resolution (<300 DPI) | Replace with higher resolution images |
+| Missing fonts | Fonts not embedded | Compile with -dEmbedAllFonts=true |
+| Wrong page size | Incorrect paper size setting | Verify documentclass paper size |
+| Colors look wrong | RGB vs CMYK mismatch | Convert color space for print |
+| File too large (>50MB) | Uncompressed images | Optimize images or compress PDF |
+| QR codes don't work | Too small or low resolution | Minimum 2×2cm, high contrast |
+
+### 11. Common Poster Content Patterns
+
+Effective content organization for different research types:
+
+**Experimental Research Poster**:
+1. Title and authors
+2. Introduction: Problem and hypothesis
+3. Methods: Experimental design (with diagram)
+4. Results: Key findings (2-4 main figures)
+5. Conclusions: Main takeaways (3-5 bullet points)
+6. Future work (optional)
+7. References and acknowledgments
+
+**Computational/Modeling Poster**:
+1. Title and authors
+2. Motivation: Problem statement
+3. Approach: Algorithm or model (with flowchart)
+4. Implementation: Technical details
+5. Results: Performance metrics and comparisons
+6. Applications: Use cases
+7. Code availability (QR code to GitHub)
+8. References
+
+**Review/Survey Poster**:
+1. Title and authors
+2. Scope: Topic overview
+3. Methods: Literature search strategy
+4. Key findings: Main themes (organized by category)
+5. Trends: Visualizations of publication patterns
+6. Gaps: Identified research needs
+7. Conclusions: Summary and implications
+8. References
+
+### 12. Accessibility and Inclusive Design
+
+Design posters that are accessible to diverse audiences:
+
+**Color Blindness Considerations**:
+- Avoid red-green combinations (most common color blindness)
+- Use patterns or shapes in addition to color
+- Test with color-blindness simulators
+- Provide high contrast (WCAG AA standard: 4.5:1 minimum)
+
+**Visual Impairment Accommodations**:
+- Large, clear fonts (minimum 24pt body text)
+- High contrast text and background
+- Clear visual hierarchy
+- Avoid complex textures or patterns in backgrounds
+
+**Language and Content**:
+- Clear, concise language
+- Define acronyms and jargon
+- International audience considerations
+- Consider multilingual QR code options for global conferences
+
+### 13. Poster Presentation Best Practices
+
+Guidance beyond LaTeX for effective poster sessions:
+
+**Content Strategy**:
+- Tell a story, don't just list facts
+- Focus on 1-3 main messages
+- Use visual abstract or graphical summary
+- Leave room for conversation (don't over-explain)
+
+**Physical Presentation Tips**:
+- Bring printed handouts or business cards with QR code
+- Prepare 30-second, 2-minute, and 5-minute verbal summaries
+- Stand to the side, not blocking the poster
+- Engage viewers with open-ended questions
+
+**Digital Backups**:
+- Save poster as PDF on mobile device
+- Prepare digital version for email sharing
+- Create social media-friendly image version
+- Have backup printed copy or digital display option
+
+## Workflow for Poster Creation
+
+### Stage 1: Planning and Content Development
+
+1. **Determine poster requirements**:
+   - Conference size specifications (A0, 36×48", etc.)
+   - Orientation (portrait vs. landscape)
+   - Submission deadlines and format requirements
+
+2. **Develop content outline**:
+   - Identify 1-3 core messages
+   - Select key figures (typically 3-6 main visuals)
+   - Draft concise text for each section (bullet points preferred)
+   - Aim for 300-800 words total
+
+3. **Choose LaTeX package**:
+   - beamerposter: If familiar with Beamer, need institutional themes
+   - tikzposter: For modern, colorful designs with flexibility
+   - baposter: For structured, professional multi-column layouts
+
+### Stage 2: Design and Layout
+
+1. **Select or create template**:
+   - Start with provided templates in `assets/`
+   - Customize color scheme to match branding
+   - Configure page size and orientation
+
+2. **Design layout structure**:
+   - Plan column structure (2, 3, or 4 columns)
+   - Map content flow (typically left-to-right, top-to-bottom)
+   - Allocate space for title (10-15%), content (70-80%), footer (5-10%)
+
+3. **Set typography**:
+   - Configure font sizes for different hierarchy levels
+   - Ensure minimum 24pt body text
+   - Test readability from 4-6 feet distance
+
+### Stage 3: Content Integration
+
+1. **Create poster header**:
+   - Title (concise, descriptive, 10-15 words)
+   - Authors and affiliations
+   - Institution logos (high-resolution)
+   - Conference logo if required
+
+2. **Populate content sections**:
+   - Keep text minimal and scannable
+   - Use bullet points, not paragraphs
+   - Write in active voice
+   - Integrate figures with clear captions
+
+3. **Add visual elements**:
+   - High-resolution figures (300 DPI minimum)
+   - Consistent styling across all figures
+   - Color-coded elements for emphasis
+   - QR codes for supplementary materials
+
+4. **Include references**:
+   - Cite key papers only (5-10 references typical)
+   - Use abbreviated citation style
+   - Consider QR code to full bibliography
+
+### Stage 4: Refinement and Testing
+
+1. **Review and iterate**:
+   - Check for typos and errors
+   - Verify all figures are high resolution
+   - Ensure consistent formatting
+   - Confirm color scheme works well together
+
+2. **Test readability**:
+   - Print at 25% scale and read from 2-3 feet (simulates poster from 8-12 feet)
+   - Check color on different monitors
+   - Verify QR codes function correctly
+   - Ask colleague to review
+
+3. **Optimize for printing**:
+   - Embed all fonts in PDF
+   - Verify image resolution
+   - Check PDF size requirements
+   - Include bleed area if required
+
+### Stage 5: Compilation and Delivery
+
+1. **Compile final PDF**:
+   ```bash
+   pdflatex poster.tex
+   # Or for better font support:
+   lualatex poster.tex
+   ```
+
+2. **Verify output quality**:
+   - Check all elements are visible and correctly positioned
+   - Zoom to 100% and inspect figure quality
+   - Verify colors match expectations
+   - Confirm PDF opens correctly on different viewers
+
+3. **Prepare for printing**:
+   - Export as PDF/X-1a if required
+   - Save backup copies
+   - Get test print on regular paper first
+   - Order professional printing 2-3 days before deadline
+
+4. **Create supplementary materials**:
+   - Save PNG/JPG version for social media
+   - Create handout version (8.5×11" summary)
+   - Prepare digital version for email sharing
+
+## Integration with Other Skills
+
+This skill works effectively with:
+- **Scientific Writing**: For developing poster content from papers
+- **Figure Creation**: For generating high-quality visualizations
+- **Literature Review**: For contextualizing research
+- **Data Analysis**: For creating result figures and charts
+
+## Common Pitfalls to Avoid
+
+**Design Mistakes**:
+- ❌ Too much text (over 1000 words)
+- ❌ Font sizes too small (under 24pt body text)
+- ❌ Low-contrast color combinations
+- ❌ Cluttered layout with no white space
+- ❌ Inconsistent styling across sections
+- ❌ Poor quality or pixelated images
+
+**Content Mistakes**:
+- ❌ No clear narrative or message
+- ❌ Too many research questions or objectives
+- ❌ Overuse of jargon without definitions
+- ❌ Results without context or interpretation
+- ❌ Missing author contact information
+
+**Technical Mistakes**:
+- ❌ Wrong poster dimensions for conference requirements
+- ❌ RGB colors sent to CMYK printer (color shift)
+- ❌ Fonts not embedded in PDF
+- ❌ File size too large for submission portal
+- ❌ QR codes too small or not tested
+
+**Best Practices**:
+- ✅ Follow conference size specifications exactly
+- ✅ Test print at reduced scale before final printing
+- ✅ Use high-contrast, accessible color schemes
+- ✅ Keep text minimal and highly scannable
+- ✅ Include clear contact information and QR codes
+- ✅ Balance text and visuals (40-50% visual content)
+- ✅ Proofread carefully (errors are magnified on posters!)
+
+## Package Installation
+
+Ensure required LaTeX packages are installed:
+
+```bash
+# For TeX Live (Linux/Mac)
+tlmgr install beamerposter tikzposter baposter
+
+# For MiKTeX (Windows)
+# Packages typically auto-install on first use
+
+# Additional recommended packages
+tlmgr install qrcode graphics xcolor tcolorbox subcaption
+```
+
+## Scripts and Automation
+
+Helper scripts available in `scripts/` directory:
+
+- `compile_poster.sh`: Automated compilation with error handling
+- `generate_template.py`: Interactive template generator
+- `resize_images.py`: Batch image optimization for posters
+- `poster_checklist.py`: Pre-submission validation tool
+
+## References
+
+Comprehensive reference files for detailed guidance:
+
+- `references/latex_poster_packages.md`: Detailed comparison of beamerposter, tikzposter, and baposter with examples
+- `references/poster_layout_design.md`: Layout principles, grid systems, and visual flow
+- `references/poster_design_principles.md`: Typography, color theory, visual hierarchy, and accessibility
+- `references/poster_content_guide.md`: Content organization, writing style, and section-specific guidance
+
+## Templates
+
+Ready-to-use poster templates in `assets/` directory:
+
+- beamerposter templates (classic, modern, colorful)
+- tikzposter templates (default, rays, wave, envelope)
+- baposter templates (portrait, landscape, minimal)
+- Example posters from various scientific disciplines
+- Color scheme definitions and institutional templates
+
+Load these templates and customize for your specific research and conference requirements.
+