Poster Design Creating Poster 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended minimum font size for body text on a standard 18x24 inch poster intended to be read from 3 feet away?
- 6pt
- 12pt
- 24pt (Correct answer)
- 36pt
Correct answer: 24pt
At a 3-foot viewing distance, 24pt is the minimum readable body text size on an 18x24 inch poster.
Question 2: Which color model should you use when designing a poster intended for professional print production?
- RGB
- CMYK (Correct answer)
- HSL
- HEX
Correct answer: CMYK
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is the standard color model for print production because it matches how printing presses apply ink.
Question 3: What does 'bleed' mean in poster print preparation?
- Ink that smears during printing
- Extra artwork extending beyond the trim edge (Correct answer)
- A gradient that fades to white
- Oversaturation of a color
Correct answer: Extra artwork extending beyond the trim edge
Bleed is extra artwork (typically 0.125 inch) that extends beyond the final trim edge to prevent white borders after cutting.
Question 4: A poster uses a bright red headline on a dark red background. What design principle is being violated?
- Alignment
- Proximity
- Contrast (Correct answer)
- Repetition
Correct answer: Contrast
Placing similar hues together reduces contrast, making the text difficult to read and failing to create visual hierarchy.
Question 5: Which grid system is most commonly used for structuring poster layouts?
- Fibonacci grid
- Modular grid (Correct answer)
- Radial grid
- Random grid
Correct answer: Modular grid
A modular grid divides the poster into rows and columns of equal units, providing consistent alignment and spacing for multiple elements.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'safe zone' in poster design?
- To protect the file from being edited
- To keep critical content away from the trim edge (Correct answer)
- To limit the color palette
- To define the bleed area
Correct answer: To keep critical content away from the trim edge
The safe zone is an inset margin where all important text and images should stay to avoid being accidentally cut off during trimming.
Question 7: When creating a poster, which element should typically occupy the largest visual weight to establish hierarchy?
- The logo
- The tagline
- The primary headline (Correct answer)
- The contact information
Correct answer: The primary headline
The primary headline anchors the poster's message and should be the most visually dominant element to draw viewers in first.
What is the recommended minimum font size for body text on a standard 18x24 inch poster intended to be read from 3 feet away?