By producing a number of different options you can explore problems and opportunities without wasting too much energy on production. Using a pencil and a piece of graph paper quickly draw up a few options for the elements of your design. Speed also has the effect of simulating your ideas to flow faster. The rough designs do not have to look pretty, but needs to include all the important elements you want to convey and some indication of how you will arrange them. Many designs rely on an underlying grid to help position the elements on a page.
Graph paper is a great way of experimenting with different designs.
A grid makes it easier to plan where blocks of text go in relation to the graphics. It provides a unifying influence without restricting the number of ways the different elements can be combined. It should all fit together harmoniously, without any missing pieces. Direction- signpost the order in which you want your poster read. The design needs to guide the reader from point to point.