Designing Science Presentations: A Visual Guide to Figures, Papers, Slides, Posters, and More

Designing Science Presentations guides researchers and graduate students of virtually any discipline in the creation of compelling science communication. Most scientists never receive formal training in the creation, delivery, and evaluation of such material, yet it is essential for publishing in high-quality journals, soliciting funding, attracting lab personnel, and advancing a career.

This clear, readable volume fills that gap and provides visually intensive guidance at every step—from the construction of original figures to the presentation and delivery of those figures in papers, slideshows, posters, and websites. It provides pragmatic advice on the preparation and delivery of exceptional scientific presentations; demonstrates hundreds of visually striking presentation techniques, giving readers inspiration for creating their own; and is structured so that readers can easily find answers to particular questions.

Clear heading for each section indicates its message, highlighted with graphic illustrations Two summary paragraphs that complement the visual images and clearly discuss the main pointNumerous examples of high-quality figures, page layouts, slides, posters, and web pages to help stimulate readers' ideas for their own presentationsNumerous "before and after" examples to illustrate the contrast between poor and outstanding presentations

Part 1: Designing Exceptional Science Presentations
1. Scientists as Designers
2. Design Goals for Different Presentation Formats
3. Twenty-One Characteristics of Exceptional Presenters
Part 2: Visual Elements in Science Presentations
4. Color
5. Typography
6. Words
7. Tables
8. Charts
9. Diagrams
10. Photographs
Part 3: Written Presentations
11. General Strategies for Scientific Writing
12. Research Articles
13. Review Articles
14. Research Proposals
Part 4: Slide Presentations
15. The Use of Slides in Oral Presentations
16. The Structure of a Slide Presentation
17. Visual Elements in Slide Presentations
18. Slide Layout
19. Animation Techniques and Transitions
20. Delivering a Slide Presentation
21. Using Technology to Deliver Like a Professional
22. Considerations for Different Categories of Slide Presentations
Part 5: Oral Presentations Without Slides
23. Presenting Without Slides
24. Considerations for Different Categories of Oral Presentations
Part 6: Poster Presentations
25. The Structure of a Poster Presentation
26. The Design and Layout of a Poster
27. Presenting at a Poster Session
Appendix 1: Recommendations for Further Reading
Appendix 2: Learning to Use Illustration and Presentation Software
Appendix 3: Thoughts on How to Create a Presentation from Scratch
Appendix 4: Thoughts on Using Design Principles to Market Yourself