How to Design Scientific Figures

A workshop offered by the Bonn Graduate Center

What is the first thing we scientists look at in scientific articles or on posters? The figures! But they are not only meant to be eye-catching. They also convey information with a density that words can never attain. In this workshop, you will learn basic design rules and how to apply those rules to your figures.

Online Workshop

Thursday, September 26, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Friday, September 27, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Trainer

Dr. Susanne Berger

Language

English

Location

Online

Target Group

Doctoral students

Track(s)

Research

Certificate

12 units are applicable within the Doctorate plus certificate

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.

Description

Because figures are so powerful in communicating scientific data, extra care should be taken when designing them. In this workshop, you will learn basic design rules and how to apply those rules to your figures. These universal concepts can be transferred to all kinds of scientific figures — from maps, diagrams, or plots to schematic visualizations.
Requirements

Please bring one to three figures designed by you. We will work with these, giving you the opportunity to directly apply your new theoretical knowledge.

Content

Understanding basic design rules and how to apply them in the design of scientific figures (presentation and group discussion)
Knowing how and why these design rules positively aid in understanding the message of a figure (comparison and discussion of figures)
Ability to spot how figures can be improved (trainer input and practical exercise)
Identifying suitable diagram types / visualizations for your data (group discussion, practical exercise)
Knowing about different color palettes, where to find them, and how to use them (practical exercise)