Building Science Graphics

Jen Christiansen is a senior graphics editor at Scientific American, where she art directs and produces illustrated information graphics and data visualizations. She completed undergraduate studies in geology and art at Smith College, then happily merged the two disciplines in the scientific illustration graduate program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She began her publishing career in New York at Scientific American in 1996, moved to Washington DC to join the art department of National Geographic, spent four years as a freelance science communicator, then returned to Scientific American in 2007. She writes and presents on topics ranging from reconciling her love for art and science, to her quest to learn more about the pulsar chart on Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures album cover.

Part 1. Underpinning. 1. Introduction. 2. What are Science Graphics. 3. Science Communication Fundamentals. 4. Graphic Design Fundamentals. 5. Perception Science. 6. Making Sense of Visual Complexity. 7. Organization and Emphasis. 8. Color. 9. Typography. 10. Visual Style. 11. Storytelling Strategies. 12. Practicalities. Part 2. Illustrating Science. 13. Special Considerations for Science Graphics. 14. Types of Science Graphics. Part 3. D.I.Y. (do it yourself). 15. The Process of Building Graphics. 16. Step-by-Step Guide for Building. 17. Step-by-Step Guide for Adapting. Part 4. Joint Efforts. 18. Collaborations.