General Instructions: Posters
Purpose: The purpose of a poster is to call attention to a subject. Every poster must be crafted to catch the viewer’s attention quickly. Each must present only one specific message clearly. The poster should clearly feature some aspect of 4-H.
Posters Will be Judged on the Following Criteria:
- Idea: Simple, clear message, appropriate for a poster.
- Lettering: Readable from a distance, appropriate size in proportion to art.
- Art: One dominant, eye-catching element, relates to written message.
- Arrangement: Makes good use of entire poster space without being too crowded: art and lettering are well balanced.
- Color: Use of bold colors that harmonize well, colors used are legible.
- Quality of Construction: Neatness, appropriateness of materials used.
- Effectiveness: Works well as a poster.
- Size: Entries which do not conform to size, content or material guidelines will be lowered one ribbon placing. Posters must be 14 inches x 22 inches and must be of a material that can be pinned to a display board. They may be arranged either horizontally or vertically. Those generated by computer must also meet this standard. Computer art generated on an 8.5 inch x 11 inch sheet of paper and mounted on poster board will be disqualified.
Posters May Be in Any Medium: Watercolor, ink, crayon, markers or computer graphics etc. They may not be three-dimensional. Entries with components thicker than paper (such as milk cartons, pencils, pop cans) will be disqualified.
Posters May Not Use Copyrighted Materials: Materials such as cartoon characters or commercial product names, logos or slogans. Avoid using clichés or over-used phrases that do not command the viewer’s attention.
4-H Emblem: When using the official 4-H Emblem (clover with the H’s on each leaf), it must follow approved guidelines, which can be viewed at: https://4h.unl.edu/name-emblem-guidelines
Original Design: Computer “clip art” will not be scored as positively as original computer art designs.
Label: The 4-H member’s name, age, and county must be listed on the back of the poster.
Poster Covering: Posters may be laminated to protect them. Loose plastic coverings used to protect the exhibit while being transported will be removed by the superintendent for evaluation and display.
Division 155
Classes in this division are ineligible for State Fair
Class B155900 Open Theme This class allows 4-H members to create a poster and a theme to go with it. Class may be used for any 4-H project without a specific poster class. Up to three posters may be entered, each for a different project.