Show, don't tell: Creating visuals about your research
14 June 2024 in person and 25 June 2024 online (1.5h in small groups)
General context
This course teaches researchers how the 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 on 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 own research, and receive feedback about it.
- Being able to recognize and select suitable images for use in scientific communication, and to combine them with textual elements in effective layouts.
- 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.
- Basic knowledge about the main types of graphs (bar chart, line chart, pie chart, and scatter chart), and when to use them.
This course is a combination of theory, exercises (individual and in groups), practical examples and use cases. The assignment will be discussed in small groups online about two weeks after the first session.
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
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
14 June 0204 - 14 June 2024
Leuven - Provinciehuis Vlaams-Brabant
Provincieplein 1
3010 Leuven
Belgium
14 June 0204 - 14 June 2024
Leuven - Provinciehuis Vlaams-Brabant
Provinciehuis Vlaams-Brabant is located within walking distance of the Leuven railway and bus station. When exiting the station, go left across the Roger Van Overstraetenplein.
14 June 0204 - 14 June 2024
Leuven - Provinciehuis Vlaams-Brabant
There is a dedicated cycling path next to the Leuven ring road where you can ride in both directions. You can park your bike right next to or underneath the building. Using your bike for longer distances? Check out Cycle Highways?
14 June 0204 - 14 June 2024
Leuven - Provinciehuis Vlaams-Brabant
From the E40, take the E314 and immediately exit at junction 15 towards Leuven city center. Follow the road to the Leuven ring road, turn right towards Tienen and Diest, and continue past the Tiense Poort. As you approach the Provinciehuis, stay in the right lane and continue towards the station until the end. Then, carefully turn right and drive slowly, respecting pedestrians and cyclists, under the pedestrian bridge (Roger Van Overstraetenplein) until you reach the railway. Turn right and follow the tracks towards Provinciehuis.
Park on Bezoekersparking floor -2.
Using GPS? Older GPS software may not recognize 'Provincieplein' as an address. In that case, enter 'Tiensevest - intersection with Justus Lipsiusstraat' instead.
14 June 0204 - 14 June 2024
Leuven - Provinciehuis Vlaams-Brabant
+32 16 26 70 15
provinciehuis@vlaamsbrabant.be