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Knowledge Visualization

Visuals for Scientists

A Research on an Innovative Visual Communication Concept within Scientific Labs

How to visualize complex research in order to help the learning of the latter and thereby the communication in scientific labs? This thesis aims to study and report an innovative visual communication concept which fosters the learning of advanced research through visuals, within scientific labs.

Although scientific institutions are the foundation of research and the start of many significant discoveries, they often operate in the background and the divulgation of their work is usually performed through inaccurate visuals. At Stanford University, in the School of Medicine, the Heller Lab is playing an important role in developing promising medical techniques in the field of inner ear regeneration, experimenting different strategies for the treatment of hearing loss. In this thesis, I reported how the use of scientific models can help in the learning of complex research and support the illustration process of elements which are not directly observable, such as cellular scale items.

Furthermore, I analyzed how the design of those models can advantage or disadvantage their use for a didactic purpose. I examined images related to communication and knowledge transfer within the Heller Lab and others. Specific design criteria such as style, color coding, and abstraction have been analyzed and identified as important visual aspects that, if applied in illustrations, could fosters the understanding of the latter and thereby the communication of complex research within the scientific communities. The criteria were then summarized through a best-practice catalogue that could serve as a guideline for the realization of illustrations designed for scientific publications. This visual communication concept could improve the disclosure and hence the understanding of new discoveries and future therapies within scientific laboratories.

Sonia Monti
MA-Diplome 2022

LinkedIn

Mentoring: Alessandro Holler

Cooperation partner: Prof. Dr. Stefan Heller Heller Lab School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Stanford University, CA (USA)

Three-dimensional representation of supporting and hair cells. The decontextualized model allows to have a specific view of the anatomy of the two cell types: Hair cell (red) supporting cells (blue).
Three-dimensional representation of supporting and hair cells. The decontextualized model allows to have a specific view of the anatomy of the two cell types: Hair cell (red) supporting cells (blue).
Three-dimensional representation of hair cell death. The abstract view ensures focus on the most important elements, and the model used in different steps gives a sense of continuity.
Three-dimensional representation of hair cell death. The abstract view ensures focus on the most important elements, and the model used in different steps gives a sense of continuity.
Cell surface. Three-dimensional experiment to build the cell surface.
Cell surface. Three-dimensional experiment to build the cell surface.
Top view. The three-dimensional models allow for a whole view of the element, and this helped to fully understand the anatomy of each part of the latter.
Top view. The three-dimensional models allow for a whole view of the element, and this helped to fully understand the anatomy of each part of the latter.
Extremely abstract models. A really abstract model can still be used to understand certain cases and compositions.
Extremely abstract models. A really abstract model can still be used to understand certain cases and compositions.
Three-dimensional representation of hair cell death and regeneration. The abstract view ensures focus on the most important elements, and the model used in different steps gives a sense of continuity.
Three-dimensional representation of hair cell death and regeneration. The abstract view ensures focus on the most important elements, and the model used in different steps gives a sense of continuity.
Analog model for hair cell death. During the work were used both digital and analog models.
Analog model for hair cell death. During the work were used both digital and analog models.
Analog model for supporting cell anatomy. During the work were used both digital and analog models.
Analog model for supporting cell anatomy. During the work were used both digital and analog models.
Schematic representations. To create schematic illustrations, three-dimensional models were also used in a linear style to facilitate the transition between models and illustrations.
Schematic representations. To create schematic illustrations, three-dimensional models were also used in a linear style to facilitate the transition between models and illustrations.
Color blindness. The color palette was chosen by taking into consideration also different color perceptions.
Color blindness. The color palette was chosen by taking into consideration also different color perceptions.
Different level of abstraction. By playing with the abstraction parameter, the image can be perceived differently and therefore it can communicate something different.
Different level of abstraction. By playing with the abstraction parameter, the image can be perceived differently and therefore it can communicate something different.
Using models to simulate the reality. Three-dimensional models can be used for understanding complex elements. The latter can also be used to simulate reality, becoming a reference for the illustrative part.
Using models to simulate the reality. Three-dimensional models can be used for understanding complex elements. The latter can also be used to simulate reality, becoming a reference for the illustrative part.