Creating conceptual models in Adobe Illustrator (10) integration
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Conceptual Diagrams
A tool for science communication
Bill Dennison & Tim Carruthers integration
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Conceptual diagrams
Conceptual diagrams have proven useful for
science integration and applications
Technological advances have made it possible to
click & drag using symbol libraries (you dont need
to be an artist)
An easy to use system that can grow (updated
with additional symbols and bases) will encourage
more scientists to use conceptual diagrams and
communicate more effectively
"Make everything as simple as possible, but not
"Make everything as simple as possible, but not
simpler." A. Einstein
simpler." A. Einstein integration
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What is a conceptual diagram?
Concept from Latin
conceptus
(meaning thought);
something conceived in the mind
Diagram from Greek
diagramma
(meaning to mark out
by lines);
a graphic design that explains rather than represents, a
drawing that shows arrangement and relations
THOUGHT DRAWING
Conceptual diagram = A diagram using symbols that
depicts the essential attributes of a system integration
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Conceptual diagrams provide an interface
Science
Community
Priorities &
environmental
values
Credibility &
support
Commitment &
resources
Current
understanding
Conceptual
Diagram
Shared vision integration
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Good conceptual diagrams are used extensively
Z scheme of photosynthesis
Plate tectonics integration
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Darwin used conceptual diagrams to
explain his theory of coral reef
formation integration
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Conceptual diagrams use symbols: an ancient
technique to depict unequivocal messages
Darwins conceptual diagram
Cave drawing (Australian
aborigines) integration
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Symbols (icons) are a key element of conceptual diagrams
Symbol: from Greek
symbolon
(token of identity) and Latin
symbolum
(token, sign)
Symbol: A sign that signifies by virtue of sharing a property with what it represents
a. something that stands for or suggests something else
b. a visible thing that stands for something invisible or intangible
Symbols used in mathematics (e.g., p), chemistry (e.g.,
210
Pb), music
(e.g., ) weather (e.g., ), religion (e.g., ), corporations
(e.g., ), and organizations (e.g., )
Symbols can be universal; language independent
Symbols are scalable; size of symbol can represent relative importance--
vs.
Symbols can be information-rich; size, shape, color and position of symbols can convey
information integration
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Both shape and color of symbols
can be important for recognition integration
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Symbols are an important feature of
everyday life
Shape, color and images used for traffic signs integration
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In conceptual diagrams, as in maps,
symbols need to be explained in a legend
Map legend:
Conceptual diagram legend: integration
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Conceptual diagrams can capture the
increasing understanding of a system
1995
1998
2001 integration
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Conceptual diagrams can depict
processes at different scales
meters
kilometers
centimeters integration
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Conceptual diagrams can be nested integration
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Conceptual diagrams are not
cartoons
model relationships
colored box & arrow diagrams
a replacement for good, well-
interpreted data integration
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Conceptual diagrams can augment
the effective communication of
scientific understanding
Conceptual diagram
that uses 2 pp. of
text for explanation
Conceptual diagram with
stand-alone legend integration
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Literature citations can be added integration
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Why use conceptual diagrams?
Helps to clarify
thinking
(words can be ambiguous, an
image commits to the message
being portrayed)
Communication
(one way and two way idea
presentation and idea
development)
Identify gaps /
priorities / essential
elements
Develop syntheses
(or
present synthesis)
Seagrass loss in Moreton Bay integration
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Use of conceptual models facilitates
hybrid diagrams of data
Journal
articles
Books integration
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Symbols can be used on maps and linked
to species identification guides
Distribution
map
Identification
guide integration
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Who develops/uses conceptual
diagrams?
Scientists
Teachers
Resource Managers integration
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Various applications of conceptual
diagrams
Research
Synthesis
Monitoring
Management integration
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Conceptual diagrams can be incorporated
into various publications
Books
Newsletters
Journal
publications
Posters integration
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Conceptual diagrams can be used in
powerpoint presentations
Overall summary
Component diagrams (nested)
Problem statement
Problem resolution
(Burford et al.) integration
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Conceptual diagrams can be produced in
real time to synthesize main messages
Result of one day meeting into seagrass loss in Western Port integration
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The Ten Commandments of
conceptual diagrams
1. Thou shalt honor thy audience
2. Thou shalt simplify
3. Thou shalt not use garish colors or apply colors inconsistently
4. Thou shalt not produce a diagram without a complete legend
5. Thou shalt not covet a single style
6. Thou shalt not be constrained by geometry
7. Thou shalt not use arrows indiscriminately
8. Thou shalt not be afraid of making new symbols
9. Thou shalt not publish diagrams without significant editing
10. Thou shalt not confine use of diagrams to scientific peers integration
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Drawing Programs
Program
Web Site
Price
Adobe Illustrator
(PC, MAC)
www.adobe.com
* $ 45
Corel Draw
(PC)
www.corel.com
* $165
Macromedia Freehand
(PC,MAC)
www.macromedia.com
** $ 99
Deneba Canvas
(PC, MAC)
www.deneba.com
** $199
* ~ USM Site License
** ~ Educational Price (not though USM site license) integration
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Copyright issues
http://www.copyright.gov http://www.benedict.com/homepage.htm
© Dennison 2000 and /or add logo; but this does NOT
connote any real proprietary value
Right click to grab image from web sitepublic
supported web sites do not need permission, but
permission and/or acknowledgement is
recommended
Ideas not copyrightable
Copyright does not protect
ideas, concepts, systems, or methods of doing
something.
Universal symbols, lists and tables from public
documents are not copyrighted
/ integration
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Resolution issues
Print/Publication
Monitor/Web
72 DPI (also called PPI-Pixels
per inch)
RGB palette
Red, green, blue
Compressed images, small files
(size)
300 Dots per inch (DPI)
CYMK palette
cyan, yellow,magenta, black
Drawing files, bitmap images-
May be large files (size)
Pixel = Picture Element
Text scanned in as line art at 600 DPI
Paste Special when inserting image > smaller image size
72 dpi 150 dpi 250 dpi integration
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Transferring images to Powerpoint..
From the edit menu:
choose paste special
For
diagrams
and figures use
Enhanced Metafile, GIF or
PNG
For
photos
use JPEG
This can reduce a 70Mb
powerpoint file to 2Mb !! integration
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File Types
determined by the way they
represent graphic information
vector
raster
File
Name
Type
Primary Use
*.ai
Adobe Illustrator
vector
art work
*.cdr
Corel Draw
vector
art work
*.bmp
Windows bitmap format
raster
photographs, art work
*.tif
Tagged-Image Format
raster, vector
scanned images
*.eps
Encapsulated Postscript
vector, raster
art work
*.jpg
(jpeg)
Joint Photographic Experts
Group
compressed
raster
photographs (web)
*.gif
Graphics Interchange
Format
compressed
raster
art work (web) integration
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Creating conceptual diagrams
Define overall message (e.g., what story or stories
to tell)
Identify audience (e.g., scientific peers, general
audience)
List key structural & functional aspects
major processes (e.g., biogeochemical pathways,
food web)
biota/habitats (e.g., forest types, wetlands)
Experiment with ways to depict system (2D vs. 3D;
mirror images; nested)
Start drawing (white boards are useful) integration
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Layering simplifies the diagram
Layer 1 (background panels)
Layer 3 (window dressing)
Layer 2 (Icons and Keys)
Priority is assigned within layers
: a sent to back icon will be in front
of the sent to front background panel integration
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The