Creating scientific visuals

This course, given by Koen Van den Eeckhout (Baryon Design BV), introduces researchers to the selection, creation and editing of images in order to communicate about their research.

In a first section we discuss the importance of images in science communication, and the core principles that determine the difference between a normal and a great image. Important design and communication principles will be discussed.

The second section introduces some free but powerful tools to edit images (Inkscape for vector images, and Paint.NET for bitmap images), tools to add graphs, color palettes and text, and tools to combine these elements in order to create a layout.

The final section dives deeper into the use of visuals in the daily research practice, through different use cases: creating captions, legal and ethical aspects of image use and editing, and using images in graphical abstracts and scientific posters.

This course contains many different exercises, including an assignment allowing participants to work on their own visual material, related to their own research.

Learning outcomes

After attending this training, participants will...

• be able to recognize and select appropriate images (icons, illustrations and photographs) to be used in scientific communication;
• have insight into the four most important type of images (icons, illustrations, photographs and graphs), and be able to decide which type to use in which situation;
• know the difference between vector and bitmap illustrations, and be able to decide which type and file format to use in which situation;
• know about the most important types of graphs (bar graph, line graph, pie chart and scatter plot), and now how and when to use them;
• be able to use photo editing software to scale, crop and rotate images;
• be able to use photo editing software to edit brightness, contrast and white balance of images;
• be able to use vector image software to create and edit vector images;
• be able to use graphical software to combine images and text;
• be able to formulate an appropriate title and caption to support the message of an image;
• know about the legal and ethical aspects of photograph use and editing, and apply them correctly;
• be able to use images to create graphical abstracts and scientific posters.

Competences

An important part of preparing for any further professional step is becoming (more) aware of the competences you have developed and/or want to develop. In the current workshop, the following competences from the UHasselt competency overview are actively dealt with:

• interpersonal competences:
  • presentation skills
• academic research competences:
  • publication skills
• personal effectiveness:
  • ethics & (research) integrity
• intellectual competences:
  • creativity
    
    

For whom?

• PhD students and postdocs
• 16 places available

When and where?

• When?
  • December 7 - 09:00-12:15
  • December 8- 09:00-12:15 
  • December 14 - 09:00-12:15
  • December 15 - 09:00-12:15

• Where?
  • ONLINE 

Preparation?

• There is a preparation to be done between the first and second session. You will need approximately 1 to 2 hours to finish it.
• You need to bring your own laptop.

Registration?

• You can register until November 5, 2026.
• As places are limited, registering does not automatically imply that you will be able to participate. You will be notified by email after the registration deadline has passed.
• Please cancel your registration at least one week in advance in case you cannot make it (cf. cancellation & no-show policy).

Acknowledged as?

• DS BSH: category 'research management & communication skills' - course/workshop aimed at developing general communication skills
• DS HLS: category 'transferable skills' - one compulsory elective course
• DS ST: category 'scientific & generic communication' - course about scientific communication