How do you make a good math research poster for a non-mathematical audience? I have the opportunity to prepare a research poster for a non-mathematical, yet scientifically savvy audience, and I want to do it well. I have asked a few mathematicians, and I have heard the following sound advice:


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*Use interesting graphics.

*Elaborate on possible applications to other scientific fields.


Although easier for applied mathematicians, this will be ok as I study subfactors, which have connections to quantum physics and statistical mechanics, and planar algebras, which provide great graphics. But there are practical questions as well:


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*How can I use LaTeX to make a poster?

*How can I avoid using mathematical symbols and technical language?


What makes a good math research poster? What are some good ways to target a non-mathematical audience? Does anyone have examples and/or templates using LaTeX? What other advice would you give a mathematician who has never made a research poster before?
A few asides:


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*I'm not sure if this is community wiki. I'm more than happy to click the box if requested.

*Feel free to retag this question as you see fit.

*I will answer my own question after the poster presentation, and I will have all of my materials available online.

 A: You should seriously consider using Adobe Illustrator if you can get your hands on it.  I'm all for latex + beamer for talks, but you might end up waste far too much time on the formatting if you try to use latex.  If you do this, you'll need to copy in your equations (as pdf with outlined fonts) created with some tool like LaTeXit (for Mac) or otherwise some equivalent.  On the plus side, the added cost of putting in math will help you focus on the graphical content. 
A: I agree, somewhat, with Jon Yard. Make individual "pages" with LaTeX and/or beamer. Save the pages as pdf, and arrange using Illustrator. You can preassign the page size in illustrator, and take the file to Kinkos to have it made. Or find out where the cool color copier is in the chemistry, biology, physics, or administrative department is. The cool copier will render a single page glossy poster. 
Since the author of the question has very cool graphics of his work, many of which work better in color, these should be included. 
If you don't want to use beamer, you can import eps files (and I think, pdf) into xfig. I have seen amazing xfig posters.
A: For technical question 1 I would recommend beamerposter.
