While working with a designer or scientific illustrator is ideal, scientists often have to design their own figures to be published in a journal or included on a research poster. To make this process easier, we've created a resource to help researchers and students refine visual assets before submitting them for publication. This PDF guide discusses many simple changes that can be made to improve the readability and aesthetic quality of scientific figures, as well as clarify the data they are communicating. The guide explains the design concepts more fully, but is accompanied by a 1-page checklist for quick reference while working on a figure.
Design Tips for Scientists Guide
Design Tips for Scientists Checklist (printer-friendly)