Show, don't tell: Creating visuals about your research
General context
This course introduces researchers to the selection, creation and editing of 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 on visual communication.
In a hands-on section we introduce some free and powerful tools to edit images, and to combine them with textual elements to create a layout: Inkscape for vector images, Paint.NET for bitmap images, and RAWGraphs for charts.
We end the course by exploring ways to effectively use visuals in the daily research practice, such as creating captions and considering legal and ethical aspects of image use and editing.
This course contains a variety of different exercises, including an assignment allowing participants to work on their own visual material, related to their own research.
- Being able to recognize and select suitable images for use in scientific communication, and to combine them with textual elements.
- Being able to use communication and design principles to create and optimize visuals for graphical abstracts and posters.
- Knowing the difference between vector and bitmap illustrations, and being able to decide which type and file format to use in which situation.
- Being able to use vector image editing software to create and edit vector illustrations.
- Being able to use bitmap image editing software to scale, crop and rotate bitmap images, and to adjust brightness and contrast.
- Basic knowledge about the main types of graphs (bar chart, line chart, pie chart, and scatter chart), and when to use them.
- Knowledge about the legal and ethical aspects of image use and editing, and being able to apply these correctly.
This course is a combination of theory, exercises (individual and in groups), practical examples and use cases.
There will be the possibility to ask questions in a one-on-one setting with the trainer.
Please don't forget to bring your laptop as this is a hands-on course!
Researchers interested in learning more about the selection, creation and editing of images to help communicating in a clear way about their research.
- This training is free for VIB participants.
- The course is not open for non-VIB participants.
- Note that upon no show without valid justification a fee of € 100 will be charged and you will be blacklisted for the VIB training program for 1 year. Click here for more information.
Trainers
Baryon
Koen Van den Eeckhout
With his information design agency Baryon, Koen turns complex information into powerful visuals. Think infographics and data visualisations, inspiring reports, design guidelines for charts and data, dashboards and workshops. His love for science communication has only grown since he completed his PhD in physics in 2013.
Practical info
25 May 2023
Leuven - Park Inn by Radisson
Martelarenlaan 36
3010 Leuven
Belgium
25 May 2023
Leuven - Park Inn by Radisson
The hotel is located 300m from Leuven Central Station. The hotel connects to Leuven Central Station by a pedestrian bridge.
25 May 2023
Leuven - Park Inn by Radisson
Park Inn hotel has no own parking. It is possible to park underground in P1-Parking Station Leuven, Martelarenlaan 4, 3010 Leuven or in parking De Bond, Martelarenlaan 18, 3010 Leuven.
25 May 2023
Leuven - Park Inn by Radisson
+32 16 61 66 02
sales.leuven@parkinn.com