Science Communication

main communication channels Level of details

main communication aids
Abstract
main communication visuals
Introduction

Oral Method

Article
Results
Poster

Discussion

Aid Text Visuals Talk Conclusions

References

Article Oral Poster

Schematic Photo Charts

Protein

Visuals Membrane

Levels of poster design

IMPACT
No design Template poster Communicative poster
Fast to make Does not scare away and Draws attention and holds
would likely be read if the audience interest long
How visuals are used in scientific presentations someone finds it enough to convey the
information
Nobody will read it Nobody will notice it Takes some time to do

LEVEL OF
DESIGN

Journal articles

Oral presentations Poster

Good and beautiful poster “A poster must do two things well: to be

noticed and to hold your attention
long enough to get the message across... and
A poster should be seen as in that order” Emil Weiss (1896-1965)
• Source of information
Navigation
• Conversation starter Structure
Text size
• Advertisement of your work Consistence
Good
• Summary of your work Communicative
Multiplexed Quantification of Proteins Adsorbed to Surface Modified and Non Modified

A good poster is Microdialysis Membranes

Andreas P Dahlin, Klas Hjort, Lars Hillered, Marcus O.D. Sjödin, Jonas Bergquist, Magnus Wetterhall

1. Introduction 3. Results

1. Organized Microdialysis is one of the few real time sample

collection methods routinely used in clinical neuro-
surgical research1,2. However, protein adsorption onto
the membrane is a drawback when proteins are
sampled in vivo3,4. The dynamic and complex protein 26
Ugly Beautiful
adsorption5 affects the composition of the collected
dialysate, resulting in a non representative protein 51 7 No focal point Focal point
2. Easy to navigate
image of the sampled microenvironment. 61
In this study, we present a method to analyze protein
adsorption from complex samples on small and
delicate surfaces. Protein adsorption on surface
55 44 12
Many focal points Space
Balanced
modified MD catheters is compared with routine
microdialysis membranes using an in vitro sampling.
No space
3. Focused on one message 2. Methods
Washing
membranes
with water
4. Conclusions

Microdialysis is one of the few real time sample

Unbalanced Unified
Colored
collection methods routinely used in clinical
neuro-surgical research1,2. However, protein Colored badly
4. Not too much text (300-800 words) Typography
adsorption onto the membrane is a drawback

Bad
Dry under
vacuum when proteins are sampled in vivo3,4. The dynamic
and complex protein adsorption5 affects the
composition of the collected dialysate, resulting in
Typography >3
a non representative protein
200µL

No Navigation
NH4HCO3

5. Not too many colors 10µL

DTT
15 min
50 OC Lack of structure
Text size small
Too much text
Also called template poster Unreadable
Blurry images
No consistence

A good and beautiful poster also

1. Captures attention
2. Controls eye movement
3. Conveys information
4. Evokes emotion
Also called communicating poster
 Poster time table
Good Poster 5 weeks
• Define the message you want to deliver
Define the purpose and prepare • Check poster size and recommendations
What do you want the person passing by your poster to do? • Draw the layout on a piece of paper
• Engage in a discussion about the content? • Search for inspiration and ideas for
• Learn enough to go off and try for themselves? color schemes, typography etc
• Want to collaborate?
• Something else?
Organize 4 weeks
• How should the reading order be? • Start to draw in your software of choice
• How could I help the audience to navigate the poster? and create a first draft
• Add guiding grids
Text • Add headings, text, images etc.
• Edit text
• Main headline should be larger than 90pt • Remove redundant images
• Sub-headings should be at least 36pt
• Text should be at least 24pt
3 weeks
• Keep text elements to 50 words or fewer
• Use phrases rather than full sentences • Send out the draft to your peers and ask
• Keep the length of the line to approx. 55 characters (10-15 words) for feedback on the information only
for fast reading • Refine images: Unify them with the poster
• Left justify the text • Add color scheme
• Choose typography
• Do not use more than 3 typefaces
• Sans serif fonts (like Arial, Helvetica) are best for headlines
• Serif fonts (like Times, Garamond) are good for block text
2 weeks
Graphics • Edit information, make it more effective
• Good graphs communicate relationships quickly • Decide poster focal point
• Graphs should be simple and clean  • Decide reading order
• Write explanations directly on figures, instead of referencing from • Add navigation cues
elsewhere • Rearrange objects
• Test the poster on your peers and on
Layout someone not in science
• Use visual grammar to guide readers to the important parts of 1 week
your poster • Make final adjustments
• Balance the placement of text and graphics to create visual • Prepare for print
appeal • Print large poster and small handouts
• Use white space creatively to help define the flow of information

Will the reader be able to contact you?

• Add Names, addresses, E-mail, Social media, webpage….
Outshine your neighboring posters,
and own the venue
Multiplexed Quantification of Proteins Adsorbed to Surface Multiplexed Quantification of Proteins Adsorbed to Surface Multiplexed Quantification of Proteins Adsorbed to Surface
More creative reading order

Modified and Non Modified Microdialysis Membranes Modified and Non Modified Microdialysis Membranes Modified and Non Modified Microdialysis Membranes
Andreas P Dahlin, Klas Hjort, Lars Hillered, Marcus O.D. Sjödin, Jonas Andreas P Dahlin, Klas Hjort, Lars Hillered, Marcus O.D. Sjödin, Jonas Andreas P Dahlin, Klas Hjort, Lars Hillered, Marcus O.D. Sjödin, Jonas

Organize
Bergquist, Magnus Wetterhall Bergquist, Magnus Wetterhall Bergquist, Magnus Wetterhall

2. Methods 2. Methods 2. Methods

start
start start

3. Results 3. Results 3. Results

Natural reading order

Portrait Landscape
Multiplexed Quantification of Proteins Adsorbed to Surface Modified and Non Modified
Multiplexed Quantification of Proteins Adsorbed to Surface Microdialysis Membranes
Modified and Non Modified Microdialysis Membranes Andreas P Dahlin, Klas Hjort, Lars Hillered, Marcus O.D. Sjödin, Jonas Bergquist, Magnus Wetterhall
Andreas P Dahlin, Klas Hjort, Lars Hillered, Marcus O.D. Sjödin, Jonas end
end end
Bergquist, Magnus Wetterhall

1. Introduction 3. Results
1. Introduction 2. Methods Microdialysis is one of the few real time sample
collection methods routinely used in clinical neuro-
Microdialysis is one of the few real time sample

Sequential Organic Miniprojects

surgical research1,2. However, protein adsorption onto
collection methods routinely used in clinical neuro-
the membrane is a drawback when proteins are A) B) C) CSF 0-9%

*** * *
surgical research1,2. However, protein adsorption onto 100 120
*** **
0.2

the membrane is a drawback when proteins are

sampled in vivo3,4. The dynamic and complex protein * * 10 - 19 %
0.0 20 - 29 %
100
adsorption5 affects the composition of the collected 80 29
sampled in vivo3,4. The dynamic and complex protein 21% 30 - 39 %
-0.2
dialysate, resulting in a non representative protein 80
4 14
Instability index

Aliphatic index

GRAVY score

adsorption5 affects the composition of the collected 40 - 100 %

10µL 60
3%
Washing
200µL image of the sampled microenvironment.
-0.4
12 11%

dialysate, resulting in a non representative protein Dry under DTT 60 9%

membranes

Movement S-curve Semi-circle One idea - many sub-

vacuum NH4HCO3 15 min -0.6 42 5 28
with water In this study, we present a method to analyze protein 40
image of the sampled microenvironment. 50 OC 40
31% 4% 21%
-0.8
adsorption from complex samples on small and
In this study, we present a method to analyze protein 20
20
-1.0
delicate surfaces. Protein adsorption on surface Membrane Dialysate
adsorption from complex samples on small and Min: -1.90 Min: -1.65
modified MD catheters is compared with routine 0 0 -1.2
delicate surfaces. Protein adsorption on surface CSF Membrane Dialysate CSF Membrane Dialysate CSF Membrane Dialysate

projects
microdialysis membranes using an in vitro sampling.
modified MD catheters is compared with routine
microdialysis membranes using an in vitro sampling.

2. Methods A) MW B) pI C) GRAVY D) Instability E) Aliphatic

4. Conclusions
CSF
3. Results Washing
10 37.7 6.41 -0.454 49.6 67.3
Counts

membranes
with water 2
Microdialysis is one of the few real time sample
collection methods routinely used in clinical
Membrane
neuro-surgical research1,2. However, protein Multiplexed Quantification of Proteins Adsorbed to Surface Multiplexed Quantification of Proteins Adsorbed to Surface Multiplexed Quantification of Proteins Adsorbed to Surface
A) B) C) CSF 0-9% 10
44.4 5.72 -0.326 39.1 81.7
adsorption onto the membrane is a drawback Modified and Non Modified Microdialysis Membranes Modified and Non Modified Microdialysis Membranes Modified and Non Modified Microdialysis Membranes
*** * *
100 120
Dry under
*** **
0.2
Counts

* * 10 - 19 %
vacuum when proteins are sampled in vivo3,4. The dynamic
80
100
0.0
29
20 - 29 % 2 Andreas P Dahlin, Klas Hjort, Lars Hillered, Marcus O.D. Sjödin, Jonas Andreas P Dahlin, Klas Hjort, Lars Hillered, Marcus O.D. Sjödin, Jonas Andreas P Dahlin, Klas Hjort, Lars Hillered, Marcus O.D. Sjödin, Jonas
21% and complex protein adsorption5 affects the
80
-0.2 30 - 39 %
Dialysate
Bergquist, Magnus Wetterhall Bergquist, Magnus Wetterhall Bergquist, Magnus Wetterhall
4 14
Instability index

composition of the collected dialysate, resulting in

Aliphatic index

GRAVY score

60 40 - 100 %
-0.4 3%
12 11%
10 47.8 5.61 -0.503 44.9 73.7
60 9% a non representative protein
Counts

42 5 28 200µL

start
-0.6
40
40
31% 4% 21% NH4HCO3
2

20
-0.8
2. Methods 2. Methods 2. Methods
20
-1.0
Membrane Dialysate 10 50 110 4.5 7.0 9.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.0 20 40 75 50 75 100
Min: -1.90 Min: -1.65
0 0 -1.2 Molecular weight (kDa) Isoelectric point (pI) GRAVY score Instability index Aliphatic index
CSF Membrane Dialysate CSF Membrane Dialysate CSF Membrane Dialysate
10µL
DTT
15 min
50 OC

A) MW B) pI C) GRAVY D) Instability E) Aliphatic

CSF
37.7 6.41 -0.454 49.6 67.3
4. Conclusions
10
Counts

Membrane
10
44.4 5.72 -0.326 39.1 81.7
Counts

2
3. Results 3. Results 3. Results
Dialysate
10 47.8 5.61 -0.503 44.9 73.7
Counts

start start
2

10 50 110 4.5 7.0 9.5 -1.0 -0.5 0.0 20 40 75 50 75 100

Molecular weight (kDa) Isoelectric point (pI) GRAVY score Instability index Aliphatic index

end
Navigation on a poster is crucial to make it
easier for the audience to read the poster
in correct order end

Radial Importance Clock

Conclusion-driven
How to show reading order Strong focus Strong focus
Start close to end in space

Numbers Most obvious navigation aid Arrows Also great navigation tool Numbers and arrows Best solution
1. Introduction Development of
2. Methods Introduction Methods 1. Introduction 2. Methods

11. Introduction 22. Methods Introduction Methods 1 Introduction 2 Methods

Introduction Methods Introduction Methods Introduction Methods

 Size
Text Choose Typeface
Type affects the perception of credibility
Choose it wisely

Main headline should be larger than 90pt

• Do not use more than 3 typefaces

Title
• Sans serif fonts (like Arial, Helvetica) are best for headlines
• Serif fonts (like Times, Garamond) are good for block text
90pt
Pairing fonts
Headline: Serif (Baskerville) Headline: Slab serif (Rockwell) Headline: Sans Serif (DIN)
Sub head: Sans serif (DIN) Sub head: Sans serif (DIN) Sub head: Serif (Baskerville)
Sub-headings should be at least 36pt Figure: Sans serif (DIN) Figure: Sans serif (DIN) Figure: Serif (Baskerville)

Subtitle
Text should be at least 24pt
36pt

Text 24pt

Block text Typeface differences

< 50 words/block
55 characters/line
1.2 line space
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Donec in nulla quis nisl accumsan cursus. Phasellus
accumsan, justo vel ullamcorper pretium, ipsum dui
Family
A A A A A
Serif
Serif

Sans serif
No
Serif

Slab serif
Fat
Serif

Script Decorative
faucibus ipsum, id pharetra neque nunc nec sem.
Left justified Praesent in nunc at augue dignissim mollis. Vivamus Examples Times Arial Rockwell Allura Broadway
dictum efficitur ante, in euismod mauris maximus vel.
Baskerville Futura Glypha Tangerine Tarzan
Serif font Praesent eu vestibulum.
Georgia DIN Clarendon Hipster Trend
Best for: Block text Head lines Head lines Drop caps Ornaments
About Lorum Ipsum
“Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the 86 words
86 characters/line
industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and
scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into 1.0 line space Avoid
Comic Sans
electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.” “Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and
1.10.33 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC” Left and right justified
Source: Lipsum.com Sans serif font

• Use images with resolution > 300 dpi

Graphics
Types of graphics in science
•
•
Use headlines above figures instead of figure captions 
Write explanations directly on figures, instead of referencing from elsewhere

Graphics for fast communication

Text in ‘method section’ of article Communication speed
After the sample collection, the microdialysis catheters were washed externally and and attractiveness
internally by placing them in water and rinsing with water at a flow rate of 0.5 µL/min
Schematic Photo Charts during 12 h. Thereafter, the membranes were excavated from the catheters, transferred to
0.5 mL protein low binding vials (Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany) and dried using a
Text with details (93 words) LOW
Protein

Speedvac system ISS110 (Savant Holbrook, N.Y., USA). All samples were redissolved in 200 Perfect in articles, not in
Visuals Membrane
µL 0.1M NH4HCO3. The disulfide bridges in the proteins were reduced by adding 10 μl of posters
45 mM DTT and incubating for 15 min at 50°C [Dahlin et. al 2012].

Process image of the text

Washing Simple flow diagram.

Graphical design creativity membranes
Dry under 200µL 10µL DTT
Few details, faster read
vacuum NH4HCO3 15 min 50 OC
with water Good in posters but
quite boring

Faster communication with image and text combined

Creativity

Detailed flow diagram with

added 3D-visuals.
Communicate fast due to
object recognization.
Photo Best for poster
Schematic Charts
Clear and crisp High data-to-ink ratio Washing Dry under 200µL 10µL DTT
Effective No shadows membranes vacuum NH4HCO3 15 min HIGH
with water 50 OC
Label items No 3D effects
Memorable No textures Color harmonies Color coding
No gradients
RGB =Red Greed Blue
Colors Screen color system
CMYK = Cyan Magenta Yellow Black (Kelvin)
Printer color system
HSV = Hue Saturation Value
Color Lightness Darkness
HEX = Hexadecimal
6-digit web code for color #XXXXXX
Monochromatic Complementary Triadic Tetriadic Analogous

Color deficiencies FInd color palettes at:

• 8 kinds of color deficiencies color.adobe.com
• 8 % of all men Test your images at:
Basic color wheel
• 0.5% of all women color-blindness.com
Extended color wheel 99% have red-green color deficiency
 Layout Use visual grammar to guide readers to the important parts of your poster

Start by utilizing CRAP method

C = Contrast
Poor contrast = poor readability
= annoying = unprofessional
Avoid
• Background picture
• Background gradient
• Dark text on dark background
• Light text on light background
• Too similar fonts
Very disturbing R = Repetition A = Alignment P = Proximity
Very disturbing Repeat visuals to create a sense of Align elements properly. This is Grouping = Place elements that
togetherness especially important for text boxes belong to each other close
Very disturbing vertically and horizontically Create more negative space =
You can repeat color, shape, texture, breathing room
spatial relationships, line thicknesses, Poor alignment disturbs harmony and
sizes, etc. This helps develop the makes the poster more difficult to
organization and strengthens the understand
unity

Composition funnel

Emphasis
Entry point to poster

Structure Negative space = Areas without information

Where to place visuals
Positive space = Areas with information Equally important
Balance
Harmony of poster Natural emphasis elements
High contrast
Saturation Negative space (empty space)
Emphasis Camera focus
Motion
• Lungs of good design
• Not an indication of insufficient information
Faces or figures • As important as areas with information
• The first thing you see on the poster Influencers • Strive for large areas of empty space
•
• The graphical element that draws the attention Guiding lines
Framing
Better with smaller text size and more space
around than the opposite
Geometry

How to create effective visual emphasis

1 2 3 4
Structure
Examples of poster structures
Symmetric Radial symmetric Asymmetric Rule of third
Boxed shape Boxed shape Organic shape Organic shape
Space around Space around Space around
Differentiating color
5 6 7 8

Organic shape Organic shape Organic shape Organic shape

Space around Space around Space around Space around Easy to do Strong focus Easy to do Interesting
Differentiating color Differentiating color Differentiating color Differentiating color Harmonious Harmonious Easy to fit info Strong focus
Between text boxes Between text boxes Between text boxes Between text boxes
Adjusted position Adjusted position Adjusted position
Significantly larger Significantly larger Uninteresting Reading order? Uninteresting Difficult to fit info
3D perspective Difficult to fit info Difficult to fit info Unbalanced Non-template structure

Balance

“Balancing a composition involves More advanced poster balancing

1. Determine the visual weight of your visual elements
arranging both positive elements and 2. Begin by balancing your emphasis point Defining visual weight
negative space in such a way that no one
area of the design overpowers other Visual weight chart Visual weight denotes the
impact of a graphical element.
Position Size Texture Quantity
areas.” Steven Bradely, (smashingmagazine.com) The more an element attracts
the eye, the heavier its visual
weight.
Simple poster balancing

At edge = Heavy Large = Heavy Complex = Heavy Many = Heavy

Centre = Light Small = Light None = Light Few = Light

Isolation Value Contrast Orientation Shape

1. Divide your poster in 4 sections

2. Check that you have equal amount of images and
text in each section
Isolated = Heavy High = Heavy High = Heavy Tilted= Heavy Complex= Heavy
3. Balance title section with a bottom section
No space = Light Low = Light Low = Light Straight = Light Simple = Light