Show, don't tell: creating visuals about your data
Show, don't tell: creating visuals about your data
23 October 2025 in person and 5 November 2025 online (1.5h in small groups)
General context
This course teaches researchers how to create the best possible images in order to communicate about their research.
We start by identifying the core elements of a powerful visual by applying basic design and communication principles to visual communication.
Next, we introduce tips and techniques to use colour effectively, to write text to enhance your message, and to bring together a lot of information without ending up with an overwhelming visual.
We end the course by exploring ways to effectively use visuals in the daily research practice, such as graphical abstracts and poster presentations.
This course contains a variety of different exercises, including an assignment allowing participants to work on their own visual material related to their research and receive feedback about it.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify and evaluate effective visuals for scientific communication based on core design and communication principles.
- Create clear and compelling visuals (e.g. graphical abstracts, posters) that combine text, layout, and color to enhance message clarity.
- Select and apply the appropriate chart type (bar, line, pie, scatter) to communicate data clearly and effectively.
- Distinguish between vector and bitmap graphics and choose the appropriate type and file format for a given context.
- Apply feedback to improve their own research-related visuals, and integrate them into academic outputs such as posters or presentations.
This course blends theoretical input with hands-on practice, using a mix of examples, individual exercises, and peer feedback. Participants learn how to use visuals to support scientific communication — from basic design principles to concrete formats like posters and graphical abstracts.
They will complete a visual assignment based on their own research data, and receive personalized feedback in small-group follow-up sessions. A one-on-one Q&A opportunity with the trainer is also offered.
Participants are expected to bring a laptop and come prepared to actively apply what they learn during and after the course.
Researchers interested in learning more about the selection, creation and editing of images to help communicating in a clear way about their research.
I got out of the training what I wanted, nice overview of different concepts you can consider when making visuals and good tools that could be used to make this visual.
Participant edition autumn 2024
I found the training very useful. Koen is a very nice person and creates a pleasant atmosphere in the class. Lots of direct tools and information to work with. I also really appreciate the feedback session at the end. It is a great way for us to immediately benefit from this course.
Participant edition spring 2024
Trainers
Koen Van den Eeckhout
Koen Van den Eeckhout is an ex-physicist who is in love with visual communication: as a freelance information designer – operating under the name ‘Baryon’ – he creates insightful infographics, builds innovative data visualizations, designs engaging reports, and spreads his passion for visual information through workshops and presentations.
Practical info
23 October 2025 - 05 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
23 October 2025 - 05 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven train station is approximately 4 km from the campus Gasthuisberg. Buses depart very regularly to the Gasthuisberg Campus from Leuven train station.
For tickets and up to date schedules visit website De Lijn or use the De Lijn App.
Exit at the very last bus stop ‘Gasthuisberg Campus) make sure not to exit at ‘Gasthuisberg Kliniek =
hospital)
Once you get off the bus, go to your right and go up the street until you see stairs to your left. Climb the stairs all the way up between two buildings. Look for the signs containing blue circles and white numbers and follow them all the way from 2 up to number 12. You will cross several buildings and the walk will take max. 10 minutes. When you reach number 12, you have reached O&N 5, where you can find the reception.
23 October 2025 - 05 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
The Gasthuisberg campus is west of the Leuven ring. Our buildings are situated behind the hospital (see black arrow near ‘RING NOORD’ on the map). If you come from the city center, you will arrive on campus from the east side (taking Mgr. Van Waeyenberglaan and roundabout Het Teken). If you come from Heverlee or Campus Arenberg, you will arrive from the west side (taking the Celestijnenlaan and Taborweg). When you arrive uphill at the intersection with the Rega Institute and the Red Cross building, you need to take the road down to the bicycle parking at Rega Institute (see map) where you can park. Next, follow the ‘Onderwijs & Navorsing blue route’ description below (start point is #9).
23 October 2025 - 05 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
You arrive via the E314 highway – EXIT 16
After 200 m, keep left to drive underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
You arrive via the Leuven ring road
At the roundabout, take the exit towards ‘Spoed / Ziekenhuis’.
Follow the ring around Campus Gasthuisberg and pass the entrance of SPOED.
Continue right until you arrive at a second roundabout.
Follow the directions for E314.
Near the Fire Brigade Station, make a U-turn and follow the directions for ‘Ziekenhuis’.
Keep left and drive downhill, underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
Next, leave the parking at level +1 using the big stairs near the vending machines.
Follow the red carpet and arrows to 'Onco Dagcentrum' to get to the O&N buildings. Take the stairs on your left after exiting Parking West. You are now in front of the O&N4 building; on the left you will find O&N5.
23 October 2025 - 05 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
room O&N5 404-28.05.347 (5th floor)