Story by Madhukara Kekulandara
An enlightening discussion on the role of visuals in science storytelling took place on Oct. 17 at ScienceWriters2024. Rachel Ehrenberg, editor and writer at Knowable Magazine, organized and moderated the session, which featured Beth Rakouskas, Creative Director at Science magazine, and Jen Christiansen, Senior Graphics Editor at Scientific American. The "When Words Aren’t Enough: How to Make Visuals Part of Your Storytelling" NASW virtual workshop explored how visuals enhance storytelling and offered strategies for integrating them effectively into narrative frameworks.
Visuals as a Narrative Gateway
A reader's initial connection with a story often occurs through visual aspects. Ehrenberg clarified that visuals serve as an "invitation," offering a starting point that compels viewers to continue. One important tool that was emphasized was banner art, which is prominently displayed at the top of publications and shared on social media. She said, "A banner acts as the ambassador of the story," highlighting how it can capture the spirit of a story and stand alone when taken out of context.
Banners can be educational and fascinating, ranging from pictures of zebrafish embryos to representations of ranked-choice voting. But they also need to be strategic. Ehrenberg stated that "a good visual must function independently of the text," pointing out that images frequently appear alone, especially on social media.
Empowering Readers Through Visualization
The capacity of graphics to make complex concepts easier to understand is one of their biggest benefits. Ehrenberg emphasized the power of images to "show, not tell," giving life to abstract information. These images serve as proof, enabling readers to quickly understand complex facts, whether it's a graph showing political polarization or an experimental setting showing bee-feeding patterns.
Christiansen expanded on this concept by providing an example of a four-page piece about maternal mortality in which the images comprised the narrative rather than merely a supporting element. Every visual, from charting the causes to showing potential remedies, came together to create a coherent story.
Jen Christiansen speaks on the visual storytelling workshop panel during ScienceWriters2024 Early Access. (Ben Young Landis/NASW)
The Power of Graphics in Science Journalism
Christiansen went into detail about how graphics may serve as both a main storytelling tool and an aid for narratives that rely heavily on text. She demonstrated how graphics may enhance and broaden the breadth of the narrative using examples such as a wind turbine invention diagram or a graphic on the genetic journey of whales.
She explained "Graphics are team players," highlighting the collaboration of writers, editors, and visual artists. Graphics are an essential tool in science communication because, when done well, they may condense complex information into easily understood formats, including step-by-step examples or visual primers.
From Idea to Impact: Best Practices
The panelists emphasized how crucial it is to incorporate visuals at the very beginning of the storytelling process. During the reporting stage, writers should use their visual faculties to spot possible graphic opportunities. Christiansen advised authors to highlight passages in their work when they find it difficult to express complicated concepts in words alone; these are frequently excellent opportunities for illustrations.
Writers were advised to gather reference photos, give links to research or data sources, and incorporate specific organisms or scientific processes in their drafts. "The more we know about the story early on, the better we can craft visuals that align with the narrative," Rakouskas said.
Setting specific objectives for every graphic is crucial for editors and visual teams. Christiansen shared a guiding principle: “Would a graphic tell the story more efficiently, effectively, or completely than text?” If the answer is yes, it’s worth pursuing.
Navigating Challenges in Visual Representation
Although powerful, visuals can often present difficulties. Avoiding stereotypes and ensuring inclusivity are two important issues. Ehrenberg shared an example of a reader who pointed out a lack of representation in an otherwise well-intentioned story. The panelists also talked about the moral ramifications of showing delicate images, including human remains or pictures of underrepresented groups.
In these situations, respectful representation can be ensured by talking with impacted communities and involving sensitive readers. Rakouskas brought attention to a story in Science magazine about historical racial injustices that featured pictures created by local artists.
Beth Rakouskas speaks on the visual storytelling workshop panel during ScienceWriters2024 Early Access. (Ben Young Landis/NASW). (Ben Young Landis/NASW)
Visuals in the Digital Era
The design and consumption of visuals have changed as a result of the growth of digital platforms and mobile reading. It is now necessary to adjust graphics for smaller screens without sacrificing impact or clarity. Rakouskas pointed out that "a still image of an octopus punch doesn't convey the humor and context of the action," demonstrating how interactive graphics or short-form videos frequently perform better in these situations.
Accessibility and alt text also become important factors. Christiansen stressed that in order to ensure inclusion for readers who are blind or visually impaired, "every graphic should have meaningful alt text."
The Future of Visual Storytelling
The panel concluded with a look ahead, touching briefly on emerging technologies like A.I. While acknowledging its potential, the experts expressed caution regarding generative A.I. in visual creation. “A.I. pulls from existing data, which can perpetuate biases and stifle creative problem-solving,” Christiansen noted.
Instead, the panelists advocated for using A.I. as a tool to enhance, not replace, human creativity. Whether it's automating routine tasks or generating preliminary concepts, its value lies in collaboration, not substitution.
The NASW panel emphasized the transforming effect of pictures in storytelling. Visuals are an essential component of modern science communication because they can make difficult subjects understandable and captivate people on various platforms. The secret for authors, editors, and designers alike is teamwork, imagination, and a dedication to making science interesting and approachable for everyone.
Rachel Ehrenberg moderates the visual storytelling workshop panel during ScienceWriters2024 Early Access. (Ben Young Landis/NASW). (Ben Young Landis/NASW)
Madhukara Kekulandara (linkedin.com/in/madhukarakekulandara) is a freelance science writer and a Ph.D. candidate in Computer Science at the University of Rhode Island. His research focuses on developing computational algorithms to enhance electoral fairness. Passionate about science journalism, Madhukara seeks to leverage advanced computational techniques to bridge the gap between complex research and real-world social issues, making science more accessible and impactful.
This ScienceWriters2024 conference coverage article was produced as part of the NASW Conference Support Grant awarded to Kekulandara to attend the ScienceWriters2024 national conference. Find more 2024 conference coverage at www.nasw.org
A co-production of the National Association of Science Writers (NASW), the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing (CASW), and the Science Communicators of North Carolina (SCONC), the ScienceWriters2024 national conference featured an online portion Oct. 16-18, followed by an in-person portion held in Raleigh, N.C., Nov. 8-11. Follow the conversation via #SciWri24 on Bluesky and on LinkedIn.
Founded in 1934 with a mission to fight for the free flow of science news, NASW is an organization of ~2,400 professional journalists, authors, editors, producers, public information officers, students and people who write and produce material intended to inform the public about science, health, engineering, and technology. To learn more, visit www.nasw.org and follow NASW on LinkedIn and Bluesky. And join us in celebrating #NASW90th.
Credits: Reporting by Madhukara Kekulandara; edited by Ben Young Landis.
