A primer on creating visual abstract to summarize research papers and other research products. Co-presented with a graphic designer (Emily Smith) at the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation

1. Visual Abstract 101
Kara Gavin, Media & Policy Public Relations Manager
Emily Smith, Multimedia Designer

2. After this workshop you will know…
1. the term “visual abstract” (if you don’t already)
2. the history behind them
3. how to create an effective message
4. where to find the resources you need for
creating visual abstracts
5. how to create a visual abstract
6. how to disseminate your visual abstract

3. What is a
visual abstract?

4. What is an
visual abstract?

5. Abstract
a summary of the
contents of a
book, article, or
formal speech.
Source: dictionary.com

6. Abstract
a summary of the
contents of a
book, article, or
formal speech.
Source: dictionary.com

7. Visual abstract
A visual summary
of the information
contained within
an abstract.

8. Visual abstract
A visual summary
of the information
contained within
an abstract.

9. Where did
visual abstracts
start?

10. At Michigan!
Surgery resident
Andrew Ibrahim, MD, MSc,
during his RWJF Clinical
Scholars time, in his role as
social media editor of the
Annals of Surgery

11. A “movie trailer” for research
• Catch the eye
• Draw reader to
the full paper
• Accompanied by
link to paper
• Convey key
messages and
citation info

12. Adoption
• First ones: July 2016
• May 2017: 20 major
journals
• Now, 75+ journals create
or ask authors to create
• Many others doing them
• #VisualAbstract on
Twitter

13. Making aVisual Abstract:
Crystallizing your
message

15. Finding the essential points
• Start with your abstract
• Try an ‘elevator speech’
out loud
• Keep boiling!
• Key components:
• Title that grabs
• Main findings in
numeric/icon form
• Population
• Process/intervention
• Data sources, caveats
• Citation & logo(s)

16. Level of language
• Who’s your audience?
• Clear headline:
Why should they stop
to look?
• What jargon can you
avoid or explain?
• Where can you
substitute icons or
numbers & arrows
for words?

17. Choose your variety
• Number of outcomes
• Need to show
randomization, process
or intervention?
• Can icons & a few
numbers tell most of
the story?
• Figure and quote
• Qualitative list

18. If this were a talk, what would you want
audience members to remember?

19. What makes up a
visual abstract?

20. Components of EffectiveVisual Abstract
Survey of 1,033 Surgeons:
Barriers to Developing Surgical Scientists…
Pressure to be
Clinically Productive
Concern about
Work-Life Balance
Excessive
Administrative Duties
60%
( Percent of Surgeons )
64%
( Percent of Surgeons )
88%
( Percent of Surgeons )
Keswani et al. Ann Surg. Sept 2016.
Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

21. Components of EffectiveVisual Abstract
Survey of 1,033 Surgeons:
Barriers to Developing Surgical Scientists…
Pressure to be
Clinically Productive
Concern about
Work-Life Balance
Excessive
Administrative Duties
60%
( Percent of Surgeons )
64%
( Percent of Surgeons )
88%
( Percent of Surgeons )
Keswani et al. Ann Surg. Sept 2016.
Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
Summarize key
question being
addressed

22. Components of EffectiveVisual Abstract
Survey of 1,033 Surgeons:
Barriers to Developing Surgical Scientists…
Pressure to be
Clinically Productive
Concern about
Work-Life Balance
Excessive
Administrative Duties
60%
( Percent of Surgeons )
64%
( Percent of Surgeons )
88%
( Percent of Surgeons )
Keswani et al. Ann Surg. Sept 2016.
Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
Summarize key
question being
addressed
Summarize
outcomes

23. Components of EffectiveVisual Abstract
Survey of 1,033 Surgeons:
Barriers to Developing Surgical Scientists…
Pressure to be
Clinically Productive
Concern about
Work-Life Balance
Excessive
Administrative Duties
60%
( Percent of Surgeons )
64%
( Percent of Surgeons )
88%
( Percent of Surgeons )
Keswani et al. Ann Surg. Sept 2016.
Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
Summarize key
question being
addressed
Summarize
outcomes
State outcome
comparison

24. Components of EffectiveVisual Abstract
Survey of 1,033 Surgeons:
Barriers to Developing Surgical Scientists…
Pressure to be
Clinically Productive
Concern about
Work-Life Balance
Excessive
Administrative Duties
60%
( Percent of Surgeons )
64%
( Percent of Surgeons )
88%
( Percent of Surgeons )
Keswani et al. Ann Surg. Sept 2016.
Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
Summarize key
question being
addressed
Summarize
outcomes
State outcome
comparison
Visual display
of outcome

25. Components of EffectiveVisual Abstract
Survey of 1,033 Surgeons:
Barriers to Developing Surgical Scientists…
Pressure to be
Clinically Productive
Concern about
Work-Life Balance
Excessive
Administrative Duties
60%
( Percent of Surgeons )
64%
( Percent of Surgeons )
88%
( Percent of Surgeons )
Keswani et al. Ann Surg. Sept 2016.
Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
Summarize key
question being
addressed
Summarize
outcomes
State outcome
comparison
Visual display
of outcome
Data of
outcome (units)

26. Components of EffectiveVisual Abstract
Survey of 1,033 Surgeons:
Barriers to Developing Surgical Scientists…
Pressure to be
Clinically Productive
Concern about
Work-Life Balance
Excessive
Administrative Duties
60%
( Percent of Surgeons )
64%
( Percent of Surgeons )
88%
( Percent of Surgeons )
Keswani et al. Ann Surg. Sept 2016.
Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
Summarize key
question being
addressed
Summarize
outcomes
State outcome
comparison
Visual display
of outcome
Data of
outcome (units)
Creator of
visual abstract
(often the journal)

27. Components of EffectiveVisual Abstract
Survey of 1,033 Surgeons:
Barriers to Developing Surgical Scientists…
Pressure to be
Clinically Productive
Concern about
Work-Life Balance
Excessive
Administrative Duties
60%
( Percent of Surgeons )
64%
( Percent of Surgeons )
88%
( Percent of Surgeons )
Keswani et al. Ann Surg. Sept 2016.
Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Published by Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
Summarize key
question being
addressed
Summarize
outcomes
State outcome
comparison
Visual display
of outcome
Data of
outcome (units)
Creator of
visual abstract
(often the journal)
Author,
citation, doi

28. Designing a
visual abstract

29. 4 Design
Principles

30. 1Contrast
the state of being
strikingly different from
something else, typically
something in juxtaposition
or close association

31. Show the differences.
CONTRAST
contrast
Contrast
Contrast
contrast
contrast
contrast
contrast

33. 2Repetition
the act of repeating
something

34. Repeat some aspect of the design
throughout the entire piece.
This can provide consistency and
helps to unify all parts of a design.

36. 3Alignment
the relative spatial
arrangement of elements
in a way that connects
them across the space of
the design

37. Alignment
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.

38. Alignment
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.

39. left
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
center right
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
Nothing should be placed
on the page arbitrarily.
Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the page.
justify

40. Every item should have a
visual connection with
something else on the
page. Nothing should be
placed on the page
arbitrarily. Every item
should have a visual
connection with
something else on the
page.
Justified
text can
create
awkward
spaces.

42. 4Proximity
nearness in space, time,
or relationship

43. Proximity
Items related to one
another should be
grouped close together.
This helps to organize
information.

44. Proximity
Items related to one
another should be
grouped close together.
This helps to organize
information.

45. Line spacing (leading)
space between lines of text
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur
adipiscing elit, sed do
eiusmod tempor incididunt
ut labore et dolore magna
aliqua. Dignissim diam quis
enim lobortis scelerisque
fermentum dui. Odio morbi
quis commodo odio
aenean sed. Elit ut aliquam
purus sit amet.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit
amet, consectetur
adipiscing elit, sed do
eiusmod tempor incididunt
ut labore et dolore magna
aliqua. Dignissim diam
quis enim lobortis
scelerisque fermentum.
GOOD OK
BAD

46. Yes, it is okay to have white space.
White space can…
• help with the flow of content
• help organize information
• give your audience a break
Don’t place text on the edge of
your slide, page, etc.
Give text/content enough
space to breath.

47. Avoid Script &
Decorative fonts

48. Avoid underlining
If you want to call attention to
words, find a way to emphasize it
other than underlining it.
Hyperlinks are OK because there is a
purpose and it is universally recognized.

49. Step 1:
Choose an article/topic and spend
time identifying the key message
that you want you convey.
Then pull out the key outcomes.

50. Step 2:
Create your visual fields (or use template).

51. Step 3:
Add title, author,
citation, doi (digital
object identifier),
and creator.
Title of visual abstract goes here
Author / Citation / doi

52. Step 4:
Layout your
outcomes/key
messages.
Title of visual abstract goes here
Author / Citation / doi
Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3

53. Step 5:
Add quantitative/
qualitative values
for each outcome
(add the units if applicable).
Title of visual abstract goes here
Author / Citation / doi
Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3
Value 1 Value 2 Value 3

54. Step 6:
Add visuals.
Title of visual abstract goes here
Author / Citation / doi
Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3
Value 1 Value 2 Value 3
icon icon icon

55. Finding images
Google
Noun Project
Shutterstock
Getty Images
Do not use images if
you do not have
permissions or rights!

56. Google

57. Google

58. File type:
png (transparent
background)
Usage rights:
free to use
or share
Google

59. Google

60. Noun Project
Username: ihpifeedback@umich.edu
Password: ihpiadmin1

61. Noun Project

62. Noun Project

63. Noun Project

64. Noun Project

65. Finding the right images
• Identify the best visual to depict the information
(the first choice is most likely not the final choice).
• Keep the audience in mind.
• Keep visual style in mind.
• Departmental/unit brand colors
• Solid colored icons vs cartoon-like images (ie. Clip Art)

66. Step 7:
Apply design
principles &
visual touch
Title of visual abstract goes here
Author / Citation / doi
Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3
Value 1 Value 2 Value 3
icon icon icon
• Use contrast (weight, color,
size) to create hierarchy with
information
• Check alignment/spacing
• Check repetition/consistency:
do your icons have the same
visual style?

67. Hospitals with Higher 90-Day Bundle Payments
for CABG Procedures…

68. Hospitals with Higher 90-Day Bundle Payments
for CABG Procedures…
Citation (include author, title, journal, date).

69. Hospitals with Higher 90-Day Bundle Payments
for CABG Procedures…
Hospitals with Higher 90-Day Bundle Payments
for CABG Procedures…
Citation (include author, title, journal, date).

70. Early Career Faculty Advisory Council at the
Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation
More information can be found at:
ihpi.umich.edu/about/early-career-faculty-advisory-council
NETWORKING
Community Service Day
IHPI Tailgate
Meet & Eat Sessions
PROGRAMMING
Early Career
Development Workshop
SERVICES
Emerging Scholars
Exchange Program
(U-M, UCSF, & UPENN)

71. Step 8:
Export your file
as a jpeg unless
other file format
is required.
Title of visual abstract goes here
Author / Citation / doi
Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3
Value 1 Value 2 Value 3
icon icon icon

72. Step 9:
Share draft with others to
receive constructive feedback.

73. Step 9:
Share draft with others to
receive constructive feedback.
Step 10:
Revise and share again!

74. Step 9:
Share draft with others to
receive constructive feedback.
Step 10:
Revise and share again!
Step 11:
Once approved, plan out dissemination or
coordinate with an awesome co-worker.

75. Disseminating a
visual abstract

76. Twitter
• Tweet it as soon after paper/talk as you can!
• ALWAYS include a link to your paper
• Tag your co-authors, mentor, journal, funding
agency, center/department/program
• Use common hashtags for the topic &
#VisualAbstract
• Visit www.symplur.com/healthcare-hashtags/
• Share several times over the next week
• Ask others to share
• Share again when the work is timely

77. Other means
• Make a LinkedIn post
and embed it
• Use it as a slide in talks
• Embed it on your
professional profile
• Share by email
• Share with
center/department/
institution communicator