Scientific Figure Design Tips: Are Your Figures Communicating Your Innovation?

Your research may be groundbreaking, but are your scientific figures effectively communicating that innovation? At SayoStudio, we work with researchers across scientific disciplines to transform complex ideas into clear and impactful visuals that support grants, publications and pitch decks. In our recent webinar on scientific figure design tips, we shared simple yet powerful ways to improve the clarity and effectiveness of your figures using foundational design principles.

Why it matters: Figures are often the first thing reviewers or readers notice in a proposal, deck, or paper. They create an immediate visual impression, sometimes before a single word is read. Poorly designed figures can distract or confuse. Well-designed scientific figures, on the other hand, summarize key insights and help your audience grasp the importance of your science from the start.

If you missed the session, here’s a recap of the top figure design tips we covered. Read on to learn how basic graphic design principles can clarify your figures. If you’d like to join us for future webinars, sign up here to stay in the loop.

1. Use Emphasis and Balance To Highlight What Matters in Your Scientific Figures

Figures should make the main message immediately obvious. Use color and contrast to highlight what matters most, whether it’s a specific pathway, a standout data point, or a critical process. Limit bold, bright colors to those important elements and keep the rest neutral to avoid visual overload.

Balance is equally important. Avoid concentrating key elements on one side of the figure or leaving empty gaps that pull the eye in the wrong direction. A balanced design distributes visual weight evenly and keeps the figure cohesive.

Color contrast highlights key stages in the cell therapy process, from blood collection to modified cell infusion

2. Guide the Viewer with Clear Visual Flow

A strong figure guides the viewer’s eye through the information in a logical sequence. Use alignment and spacing to create that flow:

  • Place related elements close together to show connection.
  • Align text and arrows consistently so the eye moves smoothly.
  • Arrange the figure left-to-right or top-to-bottom (or in a zigzag pattern if space is limited) so readers follow a clear path.

This structure helps viewers absorb complex data without backtracking or feeling lost.

Arrows and the rounded rectangle shape guide the flow from knowledge to strategies for First Foods stewardship.

3. Reduce Clutter in Your Figures for Maximum Clarity

Extra details can bury your message. Simplify where you can:

  • Shorten labels and remove unnecessary outlines or drop shadows.
  • Stick to a cohesive color palette instead of using too many competing colors.
  • Leave space between elements to give the eye room to rest.
  • These choices reduce distractions and make your key points stand out.

Before and after scientific figure design:

On the left, the original figure shows many of the common mistakes scientists make in their figure design. The revised figure on the right removes heavy outlines, unifies colors, and simplifies labels, reducing clutter and making the data easier to follow.

Your Guide to Better Science Figures

If you found these tips helpful, we’ve created a free downloadable PDF that summarizes them so you can reference it while working on your next proposal, pitch deck, or publication. This resource is part of our ongoing effort to give scientists practical tools to communicate their work more effectively.

In case you missed our webinar, check out the recording on our YouTube Channel. This webinar on figure design tips is just the beginning. We’ll be hosting future sessions that dive deeper into topics like selecting color palettes, building cohesive layouts, and other advanced design strategies. Interested in attending our future webinars? Join our webinar interest list here.

And if you’re looking for personalized help, we also offer custom visual consulting! From feedback on a single figure to full proposal design support. Whether you want to DIY or collaborate with our team, we’re here to help your science stand out. Book a consult with us here: https://sayostudio.com/consulting/

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