• Slide preparation and display
• Preparation of overhead transparencies
• Checklist for Preparation of Slides and Overhead Transparencies
• Projection of slides or overheads
• Poster illustrations
• Illustrations to appear in print
• Illustrations for use in CD-ROM format

Chapters:

1. Modes of Display
   Presentation versus publication: viewing time, color, multiple display modes
2. Image Composition
   Digital images, layout, titles and captions, integrity
3. Optimizing Text-Only Illustrations
   Readability, fonts, type size
4. Optimizing Line Art.
   Graphs and curves, schematic drawings, flow diagrams, charts, labels
5. Equations
6. Tables
7. Continuous-Tone Images
   Photographs, micrographs, macrographs
8. Projection of Images
   Information content, color versus black-and-white, projection conditions, making the presentation, 3-D projection, projection from laptop computer
9. Images for direct viewing
   Poster presentations, handouts, publication, CD-ROM publication, display formats
10. Recommended Reading
11. Appendix A. (PDF Version) Sample Illustrations
12. Appendix B. IS&T Specifications for Manuscripts and Illustrations
    

• Sample for preparing a paper for IS&T Proceedings
• Journal of Electronic Imaging Information for Contributors
• Journal of Imaging Science & Technology Guide for Authors

Acknowledgments

IS&T's Guide to Effective Illustration:
Images for Presentation and Publication

Vivian Walworth, Mary McCann, John McCann, and Louis Rosenblum

May 1999

HTML Version 1.0

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Introduction

An important part of modern communication is the use of images, both with oral presentations and in publications, to convey the essence of the author's message. As the methods of preparing, transmitting, and presenting images proliferate, we are all challenged to make the best use possible of each imaging technology.

The optimum image for projection before a large audience is probably not suitable for use "as is" in a publication. Conversely, an effective illustration for use in a book or journal may be utterly unintelligible when presented as a slide or an overhead transparency. In many cases computer generation and transmission of images provides great flexibility and makes it possible to format the same information for maximum effectiveness in each mode.

Our purpose is to provide speakers and authors a set of guidelines for producing effective illustrations. We include some simple rules of thumb and a number of examples of excellent artwork, as well as examples that illustrate some common blunders. For convenience of the reader we offer two quick guidesfirst a short directory for locating detailed information, then a checklist to use when preparing a presentation.