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How to Design Scientific Figures

Veranstaltungsdaten

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. 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.
In this interactive workshop, we will analyze scientific figures while paying attention to different elements like grids, color, arrows, and symmetry. Finally, you will have the opportunity to work on your own figures and receive extensive feedback from both workshop participants and the instructor.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• You understand basic design rules and how to apply them in the design of scientific figures (presentation and group discussion).
• You know how and why these design rules positively aid in understanding the message of a figure (comparison and discussion of figures).
• You are able to spot how figures can be improved (trainer input and practical exercise).
• You know about different color palettes, where to find them, and how to use them (practical exercise).

Requirements

Please bring one to three figures of your own or, alternatively, a figure from your field. We will work with these, giving you the opportunity to directly apply your new theoretical knowledge.
Proficiency in English at the B2 level of competency is required.

Dates

September 22, 2017, 10 am–5:30 pm, and
September 23, 2017, 9 am–1 pm

Target group

Doctoral candidates and postdocs from the life and natural sciences

Modalities

Maximum number of 12 participants
Internal 40 EUR
External 100 EUR

Registration

At mara.lnw@uni-marburg.de, deadline September 7, 2017
Please note that your registration is binding. You may cancel your registration up to twelve days before the beginning of the course without providing specific reasons. Thereafter, you will be required to pay the attendance fee even if you do not attend the course.