KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Visuals are an important tool in science communication, particularly for making complex information easier to understand.
• Visuals should be incorporated in storytelling from the start and designed for impact, inclusivity, and accessibility.

Effective use of visuals is a powerful tool in scientific storytelling: the subject of an article by Madhukara Kekulandara. Kekulandara (National Association of Science Writers) reported on a ScienceWriters2024 workshop where panellists Rachel Ehrenberg (Knowable Magazine), Jen Christiansen (Scientific American), and Beth Rakouskas (Science magazine) looked at benefits and potential pitfalls with visuals in scientific publishing.

The panellists discussed several key uses of visuals:

• acting as an “invitation” to a story
• driving the scientific narrative
• communicating complex ideas, sometimes through visuals that “function independently of the text”.

Opportunities to incorporate graphics should be identified early in the development process, with clear objectives set for each visual.

The panel raised potential challenges with using visuals in storytelling:

• Inclusivity of images: Ethical concerns arise when using sensitive images. Care must be taken to ensure inclusivity for under-represented groups whilst avoiding stereotypes. Engaging impacted communities in the process can be beneficial.
• Accessibility of visuals: Inclusion of effective alt text is crucial for visually impaired or blind readers.
• Engagement in the digital era: Interactive graphics or short-form videos can be particularly impactful in this digital age. Graphics should also be adjusted for viewing on smaller screens.
• Leveraging AI: The panellists recognised AI’s potential in visual creation, but warned against it substituting human creativity, as it “can perpetuate biases and stifle creative problem-solving”.

“AI should be viewed as an additional collaborator in developing engaging and informative visuals, working alongside writers and designers.”

There is no doubt that visuals can transform storytelling. Looking to the future, the panellists urged that AI should be viewed as an additional collaborator in developing engaging and informative visuals, working alongside writers and designers – not replacing them.

————————————————–