From climate change infographics that go viral to animations showing the dance of DNA molecules, visuals can transform complicated data into clear, memorable insights. They break down barriers between experts and the public, making science more approachable for students, policymakers, and everyday readers alike.
Visual science communication plays a crucial role in making complex concepts more accessible and engaging for diverse audiences, from students to policymakers. Over time, advancements in technology and media have significantly influenced how science is communicated visually.
Why Our Brains Are Wired for Visuals
Long before alphabets, humans shared stories through cave paintings, carvings, and symbols. This deep evolutionary history means our brains are naturally tuned to process and respond to visuals.
The brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text (Medina, Brain Rules).
About 90% of the information transmitted to the brain is visual (Hyun & Balchin, Cognitive Psychology).
We can recognize an image in as little as 13 milliseconds (MIT, 2014).
From an evolutionary perspective, the ability to quickly interpret visual cues was a survival skill. Today, it’s a learning advantage.
The Science Behind Why Pictures Beat Paragraphs
One of the most consistent findings in educational psychology is the Picture Superiority Effect — people remember images far better than words.
Research by Allan Paivio (1986) on Dual-Coding Theory shows the brain stores visual and verbal information separately, making images more memorable.
After three days, people remember 65% of visual content, compared to only 10–20% of text (Brain Research Journal, 2012).
When images accompany text, comprehension increases by 89% (Levie & Lentz, Educational Communication and Technology Journal).
For science communication, this means that pairing accurate visuals with well-chosen words can dramatically boost understanding and recall.
How Visuals Light Up the Brain in Ways Text Can’t
Two key theories explain why visuals are so effective:
Cognitive Load Theory – Visuals reduce mental strain by presenting information in a more direct and digestible way. Instead of decoding long paragraphs, viewers can grasp core ideas from a diagram or infographic in seconds.
Dual-Coding Theory – The brain processes text and visuals separately but in parallel. When both channels are engaged, learning is deeper and retention is stronger.
In short: visuals don’t just replace text, they work with it to make concepts stick.
The Origins of Visual Communication
Visual communication dates back thousands of years. Long before written language, people used visuals to communicate. Prehistoric cave paintings did not only serve as a message for future generations, they still touch us today and help us to understand past cultures.
Cartographer and information designer Edward Tufte once stated that excellent design is clear thinking “made visible”.
Cave paintings in Lascaux, Chauvet, and Altamira depicted animals, hunting scenes, and symbolic patterns, possibly for storytelling or rituals.
Petroglyphs and hieroglyphics marked the transition to structured symbolic communication, eventually evolving into written language.
How Can Visuals Improve Science Communication?
Science often involves abstract and technical concepts that can be difficult to grasp. Visuals help bridge the gap between scientific data and public understanding by:
Breaking down complex scientific concepts – Diagrams and illustrations simplify intricate mechanisms like photosynthesis or climate change.
Making science more engaging and accessible – Infographics and animations attract a wider audience, making information more digestible.
Bridging the gap between experts and non-experts – Effective visuals allow scientists to communicate findings to policymakers, educators, and the general public.
Types of Visuals Used in Science Communication
Infographics & Data Visualizations
Infographics combine images, graphs, and minimal text to present scientific findings in an easy-to-understand format. Data visualizations, such as bar charts and heat maps, help interpret complex data trends.
Diagrams & Illustrations
These help explain biological, chemical, and physical processes, making them particularly useful in textbooks, research papers, and online educational content.
Videos & Animations
Motion graphics and animations can illustrate time-dependent processes, such as the movement of planets or the replication of DNA, in ways static images cannot.
The Visual Toolbox for Today’s Science Communicator
If you want to create visuals that make an impact, here are some powerful tools to explore:
Mind the Graph – Ready-to-use scientific illustrations and infographic templates.
Illustrae – Custom scientific illustrations for publications and outreach.
BioRender – Professional biology diagrams used by researchers worldwide.
Flourish – Interactive, storytelling-ready data visualizations.
Datawrapper – Clean, embeddable charts and maps without coding.
Venngage – Easy-to-use infographic maker for public outreach.
As scientific knowledge expands, the challenge is no longer just discovering new insights, it’s communicating them in a way that captures attention and inspires action.
The next generation of scientists, educators, and science communicators will need not only deep subject expertise but also the ability to tell visual stories that resonate across cultures and disciplines.
Because in the end, a well-crafted visual doesn’t just make science easier to understand, it makes it impossible to ignore.
