The scientific journal Nature, published weekly since 1869, serves as an excellent case study in visual communication. While journals are becoming increasingly specialist, Nature remains firmly multidisciplinary; and unlike many scientific journals, it contains original journalism, opinion pieces, and expert analysis in addition to peer-reviewed research papers. This variety of content types–covering an extensive range of scientific disciplines–translates into a wide and varied audience, and the need to employ an equally wide variety of communication styles.For example, a research paper may employ technical language to communicate to a highly specialized audience in that field, whereas a news story on the same subject will explain the science to an educated lay audience, often adding a wider context and stripping out acronyms. Each type of piece will use a communication approach tailored for its intended audience.This is true for visual content as well: the intended audience of a scientific figure, illustration or data visualization will determine the design approach to that visual. At Nature, given the high volume of content plus high quality standards, this process is applied in a fairly systematic way, using a framework to guide creative decision-making. That framework is described here, along with a discussion of best practices for the design of research figures and graphics by context.
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Thesis
Winn, Wendy Lee;
(2006)
Visualizing Science: A Semiotic Analysis of Visual Representations in Ornithology Journals, 1859--2003
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Book
Fairman, Elisabeth R.;
Art, Yale Center for British;
(2014)
Of Green Leaf, Bird, and Flower: Artists' Books and the Natural World
(/isis/citation/CBB001500458/)
Article
Sara Moreno-Tarín;
Tatiana Pina;
Martí Domínguez;
(2021)
Worlds apart, drawn together: Bears, penguins and biodiversity in climate change cartoons
(/isis/citation/CBB022827263/)
Book
Nancy Rose Marshall;
(2021)
Victorian Science and Imagery: Representation and Knowledge in Nineteenth Century Visual Culture
(/isis/citation/CBB466922035/)
Article
Anderson, Alison;
Allan, Stuart;
Petersen, Alan;
Wilkinson, Clare;
(2005)
The Framing of Nanotechnologies in the British Newspaper Press
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Article
Stephens, Lowndes F.;
(2005)
News Narratives about Nano S&T in Major U.S. and Non-U.S. Newspapers
(/isis/citation/CBB000631023/)
Article
Lewenstein, Bruce V.;
(2005)
Introduction---Nanotechnology and the Public
(/isis/citation/CBB000660445/)
Article
Cook, Guy;
Robbins, Peter T.;
Pieri, Elisa;
(2006)
“Words of Mass Destruction”: British Newspaper Coverage of the Genetically Modified Food Debate, Expert and Non-Expert Reactions
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Article
Jan Domaradzki;
(2023)
From evil demiurge to caring hero: images of geneticists in the movies
(/isis/citation/CBB948371310/)
Article
Christidou, Vasilia;
Dimopoulos, Kostas;
Koulaidis, Vasilis;
(2004)
Constructing Social Representations of Science and Technology: The Role of Metaphors in the Press and the Popular Scientific Magazines
(/isis/citation/CBB000550314/)
Article
Cobb, Michael D.;
(2005)
Framing Effects on Public Opinion about Nanotechnology
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Book
Kiernan, Vincent;
(2006)
Embargoed Science
(/isis/citation/CBB000930980/)
Book
Phillip Thurtle;
(2018)
Biology in the Grid: Graphic Design and the Envisioning of Life
(/isis/citation/CBB037497817/)
Book
Olsen, Penny;
(2008)
A Brush with Birds: Australian Bird Art from the National Library of Australia
(/isis/citation/CBB001033757/)
Book
Baulu, Jean;
Dance, Peter;
(2005)
Singes et grands singes: la découverte des primates par les naturalistes et leur représentation dans la gravure et le dessin au cours des cinq derniers siècles
(/isis/citation/CBB000774122/)
Thesis
Sonnett, John H.;
(2006)
Representing the Earth: Global Climate Issues in Popular, Political, Scientific, Business, Industry, and Environmentalist News: A New Old Sociology of Knowledge
(/isis/citation/CBB001560796/)
Article
Nielsen, Kristian H.;
Autzen, Charlotte;
(2011)
Looking Over the Shoulders of Researchers: In Quest of a Research-Media Partnership and Online, News Media--Based Researcher Identities on the Galathea 3 Expedition From 2006 to 2007
(/isis/citation/CBB001320109/)
Article
Djerf-Pierre, Monika;
(2013)
Green Metacycles of Attention: Reassessing the Attention Cycles of Environmental News Reporting 1961--2010
(/isis/citation/CBB001320413/)
Article
Katarzyna Molek-Kozakowska;
(2016)
Stylistic Analysis of Headlines in Science Journalism: A Case Study of New Scientist
(/isis/citation/CBB790796802/)
Book
Meijman, Frans J.;
Snelders, Stephen;
Wit, Onno de;
(2007)
Leonardo voor het Publiek. Een Geschiedenis van Wetenschaps- en Techniekcommunicatie
(/isis/citation/CBB001024133/)
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