Figure, graphics and illustration design for scientists (424)

10 October 2016 (afternoon) COMPLET/FULL

Dr Laura Symul

An image is worth thousand words... if well designed.

Scientists nowadays produce more visuals than ever in the form of plots, diagrams, and illustrations for publications, posters, talks, grants, and reviews. However, some researchers feel lost when it comes to communicating their work visually.

This seminar is for you if you feel that your research would benefit from better graphical designs or if you find it difficult to express your complex concepts visually.

Participants will receive the principles and tools that enable them to create better visuals.

Content

Introduction

• What is (visual) communication?

Figures from data for research papers

• Different types of figures in research papers
• How to plan and compose the figures
• How to choose the colors
• Find the best way to show your data

Poster & talk figures

• Rethinking the poster design
• Who is your audience?
• Tricks to make your talk visually more memorable.

Concept figures, graphical abstract, illustrations

• How to tell a story graphically
• Paper & pencil. Yes, it still exists!
• How to simply and easily create illustrations
• Literature: References on review figures

General checklist and workflow for creating figures

Objectives

• Learn the basics of graphics (colors, fonts, size, etc) adapted to scientific content
• Be able to design from scratch figures for specific cases (publication, reviews, talks, etc.)
• Understand the concept of graphical storytelling and visual communication
• Improve existing figures (participants bring their own figures as examples)
• Be able to turn complex concepts into simple figures
• Grasp the general concepts of efficient graphical visualization.

Preparatory Work

One week ahead of the workshop, each participant will need to send at least one figure/graphic/illustration/schema/poster or any other visual that they use for their research, accompanied by a legend. (c.30 minutes of preparation)

If the participant wishes to receive written feedback on their material, they should also complete a form and send the material two weeks ahead of the workshop. (1 hour to 1 day of preparation, depending on what the participant already has available)

Université de Lausanne

Date: Monday 10th October 2016

Schedule: 12:30 to 17:30 (to be confirmed)

Location: University of Lausanne

Laura Symul received her education in engineering before getting her PhD in computational biology at EPFL. Besides her scientific background, she kept drawing and started to combine her graphical and scientific skills by drawing review figures for scientific journals such as Cellular Microbiology or EMBO Press and doing scientific illustrations for professors or exhibition. Currently she is also working in a consultancy company as data visualization expert.

Participants are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train between the town of their university and the location of the workshop (half-fare card, 2nd class). For full-day workshops, lunch costs will be reimbursed upon presentation of original receipts (no photocopies or scans). A reimbursement form will be supplied to all registered participants for this workshop.

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