Design Principles for Schematic Figures
Transforming complex scientific ideas into clear visual stories.
Why this course is for you
For scientists, it is vital to communicate research to different audiences in clear and compelling ways. Visual representations of new knowledge, like schematic figures, can help both to communicate research findings and attract readers browsing busy journal sites and social media.
In order to create a clear and attractive schematic figure, it is important to understand the underlying design principles that make the visual representation of information successful.
And with the advent of AI, the ability to discern whether the LLM’s output is effective from an information design perspective has become critical.
In this workshop, you will learn what design is and how to apply design principles to create your own compelling figures.
Style of this Course
The workshop consists of one day of interactive training.
9:00 -17:30 (CET/CEST) including breaks
Throughout this course, you will practice what you are learning in a total of 4 exercises. These exercises are critical to your engagement and long-term retention of design principles. During the exercises, you’ll draw with marker pens on white sheets of paper.
You won’t need knowledge of applications like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, allowing you to focus on design principles that can be applied using any tool (digital or otherwise) that you choose. While you’ll use a laptop or device to participate in the online course, you won’t need additional digital tools for the practical drawing exercises.
Live and interactive online
Our online courses are designed to be engaging, interactive and comfortable to participate in.
Rather than simply transferring a classroom course to a screen, we have designed the experience specifically for online learning. You’ll spend plenty of time discussing ideas and working with others in small groups, with regular breaks to help you stay focused and comfortable throughout the day.
Theory is brought to life through carefully designed visual presentations and live drawing on a tablet, helping to make complex ideas clear, memorable and engaging. Our trainers create a relaxed and supportive environment where you can ask questions, contribute to discussions and learn from the experiences of other participants.
What you will learn
This course begins with a creative introduction designed to help you warm-up and get familiar with the purpose of the workshop. You will learn about schematic figures—what they are, where they can be used, and why they are essential for effective communication.
From there, you will explore the fundamentals of design and discover how storytelling is key to creating impactful visuals.
The course will guide you through the process of transforming research findings or narratives into compelling concepts for schematic figures, using proven design techniques to structure and organize information effectively.
As the course progresses, you will engage in hands-on exercises, starting with writing a storyline for an existing schematic figure. Then, you will apply your knowledge to develop your own concept and sketch.
In the afternoon, the focus shifts to your own research. You will use the design techniques learned earlier to create a schematic figure tailored to your work. Small group sessions will provide opportunities to exchange feedback, with valuable input from the trainer on how to refine your storyline and schematic figure concept.
Additionally, you’ll learn how to enhance your visuals using size, fonts, and color to maximize their impact.
Design principles for schematic figures
Live Online
Using design to communicate complex ideas
What’s included
- 1 full day of training
- Course Materials
- Dynamic digital experience
Our Training Team – Skilful for Scientists
Our trainers bring a wealth of expertise from diverse professional backgrounds, with extensive experience supporting leaders in the life sciences.
Sandra Krahl is one of our expert trainers, bringing over 27 years of experience in graphic design and more than 15 years in science communication and illustration.
She specializes in creating concepts and designing schematic figures and scientific covers. Sandra works closely with scientists and research institutes to craft clear, engaging narratives for various communication platforms, including scientific posters, social media, and presentations for peers and funding committees.
I think the workshop is fantastic! I learned how to conceptualise my own figures using the three layer principle, and how to improve its design. Sandra is a wonderful teacher, very patient and knowledgeable.
Eden Yifrach | Postdoc
Whitehead Institute Cambridge
I loved the 'Applying design principles to schematic figures' workshop! Sandra showed us how to turn research results and ideas into clear, compelling visuals. The mix of design tips, hands-on practice, and thoughtful feedback made it a truly valuable experience. We left really motivated to create visuals that enhance our presentations and publications!
Federico Bertoli | PhD Student
Institut Imagine Paris
Our On-Site Design Principles Training
If you have a group of researchers who would benefit from enhancing their ability to create clear, engaging, and visually compelling schematic figures while fostering a collaborative learning environment, we’re happy to bring this design principles course to your institute! Find out how…