Understanding Science and Data through Design

Utilizing visual communication in science is not just a supplementary approach but a necessary tool that researchers and scientists actively employ to breathe life into their complex concepts. Visuals, whether in the form of charts, graphs, diagrams, or other illustrative elements, serve to bridge the gap between hard data and intricate theories to a broader audience. Through this strategic use of visuals, scientists can enhance comprehension and engage diverse audiences.

The key to visual scientific storytelling through infographics is how we present these images and facts. Scientists must find ways to make the information digestible to people of various backgrounds depending on their intended audience.

“Even the best visualizations are incomprehensible if their concepts are alien, and scientific visualizations are often designed assuming viewer familiarity with the subject matter. Moreover, time constraints and limited attention spans often preclude the possibility of full explanations,” (Kwan-Liu et al., 2012).

In order to understand how to design compelling graphics, we must also understand how to communicate visually through an educational lens. In their article, “Improving Visual Communication of Science Through the Incorporation of Graphic Design Theories and Practices Into Science Communication,” Fabiola Cristina Rodríguez Estrada and Lloyd Spencer Davis recommend three components of visual literacy in science.

Visual Thinking, which combines our understanding shapes, lines, colors, and arrangement to give meaning to mental images alongside critical thinking.

Visual Learning, which involves understanding the meaning of visual elements and acquiring skills in using visual representations effectively.

Visual Communication, which is a method of communicating ideas, data, and more to the masses using symbols and images.

(Rodríguez Estrada & Davis, 2014).

These cornerstones help us to comprehend audiences and how they might perceive visual information. While creating an infographic, it is important to not only consider the figures that will be disseminated, but also those who will be interpreting it.

In addition, infographics should be simple, easy to read, and focused on a specific subject. It is important to take the viewer on a journey through the information provided. Provide people with the most essential details and keep them reading through fun or surprising facts, creative and purposeful design choices, and well-written copy to tie the visuals together.

Infographic: ADHD in Adult Populations

In order to illustrate these concepts, I made an infographic about a topic that is personal to me, Adult ADHD. As a person diagnosed in adulthood, I have noticed that many resources on the disorder are centered around children, which is not very helpful while trying to navigate a disability at a later stage in life. I wanted to create my own resource for others to refer to while seeking this information for themselves and to inform others about the implications of ADHD and how it can affect adult populations.

This infographic takes viewers through important facts that shed a light on how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can affect adults deeply. I established the general population of those with this type of neurodivergence. A large part of why I considered this topic is to highlight how people struggle with ADHD in both everyday and major life experiences. I also wanted to point out the way that different demographics, particularly women are particularly at a disadvantage in both diagnostic numbers and coping mechanisms; often compensating for lack of diagnosis by adopting unhealthy habits and thought patterns.

In my design, I was mindful of the various design tools that inform my practice. Utilizing color theory, Gestalt principles, and graphs, I illustrated the information that I wished to communicate in various eye-catching ways. For example, using Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions, I channeled the emotions often associated with ADHD like anxiety, fear, and distraction with shades of greens and blues. I created a sense of closure and proximity by separating each section into their own sections with the use of lines and grouping correlating information close to one another, both Gestalt principles. I also took into account what kinds of graphs and charts would best suit the data I wanted to highlight. For instance, to show the growth in Adult ADHD diagnoses throughout the years, I used a stacked area chart and I presented the population of people with ADHD within the overall population with a pictogram.

Along with these, I also incorporated some best-practices of infographics. I prioritized the flow of information with headlines that stood out. While laying out the story, I used copy judiciously. Some contextual text was necessary to convey my message along with the visuals I presented, however I made an effort to keep it as simple as possible while still informing readers. I used a plethora of sources from academic journals and scientific studies to reputable articles and government organizations to inform and support my claims throughout the graphic.

This infographic scratches the surface in many ways, but also gets to the heart of the matter. It informs people about the prevalence of ADHD and how it impacts individuals their entire lives.

Reference:

Chung W, Jiang S, Paksarian D, et al. Trends in the Prevalence and Incidence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among Adults and Children of Different Racial and Ethnic Groups. JAMA Netw Open.2019;2(11):e1914344. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.14344

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Editors, Add. (2023, June 28). ADHD statistics: New add facts and research. https://www.additudemag.com/statistics-of-adhd/

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Fayyad, J., Sampson, N.A., Hwang, I. et al. The descriptive epidemiology of DSM-IV Adult ADHD in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys. ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord 9, 47–65 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-016-0208-3

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Kwan-Liu, M., Liao, I., Frazier, J., Hauser, H., & Kostis, H.-N. (2012). Scientific storytelling using visualization. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 32(1), 12–19. https://doi.org/10.1109/mcg.2012.24

Mandriota, M. (2022, April 6). ADHD in women vs. men: How prevalence and symptoms differ by gender. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/adhd/adhd-and-gender#prevalence

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Quinn, P. O., & Madhoo, M. (2022, March 18). A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: Uncovering this hidden diagnosis. Psychiatrist.com. https://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/review-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-women/#

Rodríguez Estrada, F. C., & Davis, L. S. (2014). Improving visual communication of science through the incorporation of graphic design theories and practices into Science Communication. Science Communication, 37(1), 140–148. https://doi.org/10.1177/1075547014562914

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