Graphical Abstracts: Savvy Science Styling

Are you crafting a graphical abstract for your next JDS Communications or Journal of Dairy Science paper? Get the tips and tricks to maximize your research’s visual appeal and help translate your science to readers.

Jump to the tips
Overall Tips
Specifications and Style Tips
Design Resources
Leveraging Graphical Abstracts on Social Media

overall tips

  • Pique interest: Graphical abstracts are often likened to movie posters (or a movie trailer)—they should get people intrigued and excited to read the article (or “see the movie”) for the whole “plot”
  • Keep it concise: Limit the amount of text—the goal of the graphical abstract (GA) is to entice people to read the article, so don’t try to make the GA do all of the work. It’s a graphical abstract, after all!
    • Focus on 2 or 3 key points
    • As you brainstorm design, ask yourself what the reader most needs to know
  • Triple check: Give it one last proof for typos before submitting!

Prefer these tips in a downloadable infographic format? Get a PDF version below, and bookmark this page for future reference.

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Specification and Style Tips

  • The maximum image size is 6" × 3.5" (36 p × 21 p) for JDSC, and 7.5" × 3" (45 p × 18 p) for JDS
  • Only use images that you own or have written permission to use
  • Don’t include copyright lines in the image itself. The copyright (in your name) will be displayed in the footer; any images used with permissions should be cited in the graphical abstract text
  • Submit the file you used to create the image. This will help us to fix any issues (or typos) in house instead of requiring additional work from you
  • A PNG file format > JPG. JPG quality degrades every time you re-save the file, whereas PNGs can reduce file size without losing pixels or quality
  • Try not to scale your image. Quality is also degraded every time the image is scaled, so you will get the best results by creating and submitting your graphical abstract at close-to-final size at 300 dpi
  • Landscape images work much better than portrait images. The horizontal space has more open real estate to work with and often conveys the study progression more effectively, and will render better when shared on social media
  • Avoid putting text directly on a photograph (or similar busy background)
  • Keep accessibility in mind: Choose color palettes and contrasts that are easy to read
  • You may be tempted to use an artificial intelligence tool to summarize the main points of your work. But you are the expert on why your article is important! If you do use generative artificial intelligence, please note that it must be disclosed in the Notes section of the article

Design Resources

Leveraging Graphical Abstracts on Social Media

  • Why? Science = storytelling. Social media is one of the best ways to tell the story of your research, build connections in the research community, and ensure your work has long-term impact
  • Pick one platform that works for you (we do suggest LinkedIn if you’re not sure where to start)
  • Ensure your profile is polished and complete
    • Headshot
    • Appropriate bio or summary statement
    • Links back to your institution or lab website, publications list, and upcoming speaking engagements
  • Craft each post to include
    • Your graphical abstract (or something visual; don’t be afraid to use animations!)
    • Your article’s DOI link (which will automatically pull in a card including the article’s title and the first image/figure in the article)
    • Tags of your coauthors, your institution, and the journal or publisher (many will help copromote your work)
    • Hashtags for the relevant topics to boost discoverability (check them first to be sure they’re safe!)
    • Run out of room? Don’t be afraid of a thread or a self-comment!
  • Not sure what to write in the post copy? Imagine you have one minute to explain your paper to a colleague in an elevator or in the hallway:
    • What are the top-level takeaways?
    • What questions does this raise for future research?
    • What surprised you?
    • How could someone immediately apply your learnings in their own work or in industry?
    • Who would you thank for inspiring or helping with this work? (Self promotion is daunting. Overcome the vulnerability hangover by starting your post with acknowledgments)
  • Keep the conversation going
    • Social media only works as a two-way conversation
    • Devote time—even if it’s just 10 minutes per month/quarter/year—to liking, sharing, commenting, and following. A small investment pays huge dividends over time!

Want more resources to help improve your publishing experience? Explore the American Dairy Science Association’s webinar series for authors and reviewers, including: