Using Art and Design in Science

The webcast, hosted by Nature Careers, is introduced by Jack Leeming, an editor at Nature. He welcomes attendees and outlines the event's agenda, which includes talks by Kelly Krause, Creative Director at Nature, Sven Laqua from Laqua Consulting, and Fabio Crameri, a freelance researcher and designer. The topics will cover capturing scientists' attention with art and design, data visualization, general design principles, and color usage in science. A Q&A session will follow the presentations.

Kelly Krause discusses strategies for promoting research using visuals. She emphasizes the importance of creating numerous high-quality images and videos to communicate scientific processes effectively. Kelly suggests integrating image-making into experimental setups and highlights the value of original and novel visuals. She also covers the creation of summary figures or graphical abstracts that succinctly convey the main message of research in a simple, accessible manner, using the example of a Nature paper on atomic clocks.

Continuing with visual communication, Kelly explores the use of cover artwork and conceptual illustrations to draw attention to scientific work. She advises on the importance of simplifying visuals and ensuring clarity through effective labeling and feedback. Kelly also touches on the role of visual metaphors in creating cover art that is both scientifically grounded and aesthetically pleasing, without overburdening the viewer with information.

Sven introduces the concept of using Gestalt principles to effectively visualize scientific data. He explains how these principles, formulated over a century ago, help understand how our brains perceive and interpret information. Sven illustrates this with an example of dots moving in a pattern that our brains interpret as a dog. He emphasizes the importance of aligning the intent of data display with how viewers interpret it, suggesting that anyone with a scientific mindset is well-equipped to approach design problems.

Sven delves into practical aspects of data presentation, focusing on design principles to enhance the visualization of scientific data. He discusses the importance of the signal-to-noise ratio, using tables as an example to show how removing noise can aid audience perception. Sven also touches on the Gestalt principle of proximity, using a historical example of Dr. John Snow's cholera map, to emphasize the power of grouping in data visualization.

Fabio Crameri discusses the critical use of color in scientific data visualization, differentiating between color for decoration and color as an informational character. He stresses the importance of using color maps that are perceptually uniform and ordered, like the batlow map, as opposed to the commonly used but problematic rainbow map. Fabio explains the visual distortion introduced by non-scientific color maps and advocates for the use of scientifically sound color maps that are inclusive and accessible.

Fabio expands on the importance of using scientifically designed color maps that are uniform, ordered, and inclusive of those with color vision deficiencies. He contrasts the batlow map with the rainbow map, showing how the latter can distort data visualization and exclude certain viewers. Fabio also provides resources for accessing a suite of scientific color maps and encourages their use for fair and intuitive data representation.

The session concludes with a Q&A where attendees can engage with the speakers. The speakers are present to answer questions related to art, design, and the communication of scientific ideas. The organizers assure that the slides and resources will be made available after the webcast for further reference.

Sven shares his perspective on career development, emphasizing the importance of passion and continuous learning. He advises that a clear path may not always be visible and encourages individuals to pursue their interests, which will eventually shape their career trajectory. Sven's advice aligns with the idea of creating one's own opportunities through dedication and interest.

Kelly addresses the use of artistic expression in scientific communication, particularly in the context of summary figures and cover artwork. She advises against using overly stylized or clichéd visuals that might detract from the scientific message. Kelly suggests that while artistic instincts can be developed, it's crucial to ensure that visuals effectively communicate scientific concepts.

The discussion turns to recommended tools for scientific illustration and design. Kelly mentions GIMP and Inkscape as free alternatives to Photoshop and Illustrator, respectively, and highlights Blender for 3D software needs. Sven adds Figma as a versatile design tool with a free tier suitable for vector work, animations, and prototyping.

The speakers encourage the development of visual literacy, comparing it to other scientific methods such as statistics. They suggest that scientists should invest effort into understanding and practicing graphic design principles to effectively communicate their research. The advice is to approach graphic design with the same rigor as other scientific methodologies.

Fabio provides advice on creating effective conference posters, emphasizing the importance of clear communication of research insights. He recommends using the Better Posters initiative on s-Ink.org as a resource and advises against overusing colors, suggesting that simplicity and clarity should guide poster design.

In a lighter moment, the speakers share their pet peeves regarding visual communication in science. Kelly warns against visual clichés and unnecessary noise in imagery, Sven advocates for simplicity and avoiding visual clutter, and Fabio expresses a strong preference against the use of rainbow color schemes in data visualization.