Overview

Learn what goes into making a quality print or web graphic that conveys scientific information to the public. This breakout session will address topics such as:

• Effective color use for communicating data and meaning

• Spacing and catching the eye

• Image use and sources of images

• Writing and arranging text for the target audience(s)

• The general process of creating graphics

• Tools and resources

Participants will also get a chance to practice the things they learned by sketching out a plan for their own graphic. This is just to put all the new information into practice and share ideas - no artistic ability is required.

Preparation for this Breakout Session

Participants are encouraged to think of an idea, process, result, or phenomenon related to their topic of study that they would like to share in a visual medium and identify their target audience. Ideas with well-defined scope are generally better due to the space constraints of graphics. No additional preparation for this session is necessary. 

Resources

The presentation from the breakout session is available here. Participants may also be interested in this list of resources for graphics creation. The list is a brief overview and is not comprehensive.