Üsküdar University Visual Communication Design department discussed the topic of “Scientific Illustration” at a seminar it organized. The guest of the program, moderated by Visual Communication Design Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. And Algül, was International Cyprus University Graphic Design Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elif Songür Dağ.
“Illustration is important for the intelligibility of topics”
Dağ, speaking about Scientific Illustration; “Illustrations used in explaining and defining scientific findings and messages can be described as scientific illustrations. Illustration is important for the intelligibility of topics. It is the presentation of a measured accuracy in a simple and factual manner with diagrams or other graphic products. Zweifel defined the principles of scientific illustration as ‘Observation, clarity, distinctiveness and analogy, shading rules, perspective, cleanliness, acceptable scope, and artistry.’”
“Detailed information should be simplified”
Dağ, speaking about scientific information; “Scientific information should be visualized by simplifying it, and it should retain necessary details to ensure intelligibility. Detailed information should be simplified. As long as necessary details are preserved, scientific information transfer is ensured. It is very important to be able to convey reality. It is very difficult to transmit complex scientific information. If the topic to be discussed is explained inadequately, the audience will be disappointed and lose interest. Because the main function of scientific illustration is to transmit information, and it is not a necessity for it to look real.”
“Clear Rules, Accuracy, Art, and Intelligibility”
Dağ, touching upon what needs to be considered in Scientific Illustration; “Four points should be noted. These are; Clear Rules, Accuracy, Art, and Intelligibility. Clear rules: In scientific illustration, there are clear rules and no room for interpretation. There is no use of intuition or imagination. Accuracy: Scientific accuracy is the primary quality. The artist’s style is limited by the transmission of scientific information. Intelligibility: It is the scientific measure of an illustration and its ability to be defined by an expert on the subject without explanatory text.”