Illustration: Creating the Best Designs

Abstract

The goals for illustrations are similar to the goals for language. First, you should make your illustrations precise. Precision does not mean having the most accurate illustrations. Rather, precision means having illustrations that best reflect the accuracy of the language. An equally important goal of illustrations is clarity. Too often in scientific writing, illustrations confuse rather than inform. Clarity demands not only that your illustrations convey the information intended, but also that they not convey any unintended information that misleads or confuses the audience.

Everything should be as simple as it can be, yet no simpler.

—Albert Einstein