How to Create Graphical Abstract

A graphical abstract is a simple, concise, and self-explanatory figure that elucidates the scientific data or the main research findings in a pictorial form. This article explains how to create graphical abstract with simple steps.

It represents the important findings of a research or review paper in a nutshell, which helps the readers to understand the main take-home message at a single glance.

It allows the reader to grasp their attention, to identify more suitable research articles relevant to their research, and to conduct interdisciplinary research.

“A typical graphical abstract should attract the reader’s attention whether to read your full paper or not. If this is achieved, the purpose of your graphical abstract is fulfilled”.

Steps to create graphical abstract

The main purpose of a graphical abstract is to influence the reader’s curiosity, to present the research outcome briefly, and to summarize the findings. The basic steps to create an effective pictorial abstract include:

The first two steps are based on paperwork and the third step requires graphic design software. A logical concept is very important to carry out any research. So, one should decide what is the important message to be delivered through graphical abstract and to whom it is to be conveyed. Therefore, the picture abstract is defined by the concept and the readers.

The second step is to sketch the appropriate visual elements (chemical structure, biological components, mechanical parts etc.) which portray the research outcome directly and precisely.

Arrange the elements of the sketch in a right sequence either from left to right or top to down to get a meaningful abstract. Ensure that all the elements are connected to each other, arranged into groups that have something in common.

The final step is to design the sketch using graphic design software (Photoshop) or simple PowerPoint. Ensure that all the elements are illustrated with uniform art-style, otherwise, it may look bizarre.

Too many results or conclusion will complicate the visual representation of the abstract. One should think from the reader’s point of view and summarize the most important and specific results in a simple way.

Criteria for an ideal graphical abstract:

• A graphical abstract should be unique, clear, simple, and self-explanatory.
• It should highlight the novel findings of the research without reproducing the results reported in the published literature.
• It should be different from the diagrams/figures illustrated in the article itself.
• It should not include data items, the results should be in a pictorial form. 
• It should not include true facts, proven science, and existing results.

Different styles of formatting:

Diagram style graphical abstract:

This type of graphical abstract is widely used in the field of chemistry to represent the chemical reactions, structure, bonding etc. This is considered as an easiest and simple method to explain the technical findings. This style use highly technical language and abbreviations with no background context.

Visual style:

Graphical abstract developed by visual style is more professional than diagram style, can be made quickly and easily using PowerPoint.  This type of style is frequently used in medical-related journals.

Infographic style:

This is the advanced style that tends to use both text and graphics in a more visually attractive way. The infographic-based image abstracts are developed using design software, which looks more professional and gains the reader’s attention easily.

Comic style:

Comic style of the abstract uses cartoon characters to express the research findings in a humorous way. Therefore, this style helps to cover the maximum number of readers.

According to Elsevier, the technical specifications required to prepare a image abstract is listed below:

• Image size: Image should be 531 X 1328 pixels with a resolution of 300 dpi.
• File type: TIFF, EPS, PDF
• Font: Times, Arial, Courier or Symbol with large font size.
• Any text or label should be part of the image file. The abstract should be one image file.

Hope this article helps you to know about the graphical abstract and it’s types.

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