---
DOAJ_listed: '1'
OA_place: publisher
OA_type: gold
_id: '19731'
abstract:
- lang: eng
  text: "In an era of high-resolution displays, powerful design software, and automated
    plotting tools, one would think that scientific figures would be clearer than
    ever. Yet, despite numerous editorials, guidelines, and workshops dedicated to
    improving figure design, poorly constructed figures remain a persistent issue.
    Editors and experienced researchers have repeatedly highlighted key pitfalls such
    as cluttered layouts, inconsistent formatting, poor color choices, and misleading
    visuals. (1−8) Yet, the aforementioned graphical shortcomings continue to plague
    even high-impact journals. Why? The problem is not a lack of technology; it is
    a combination of poor design habits, rushed deadlines, and a tendency to treat
    figures as mere “data dumps” rather than as essential storytelling tools.\r\nMany
    people process information more effectively through visuals, naturally associating
    concepts easily when presented graphically. A well-crafted figure serves as a
    narrative within the larger story, making complex ideas more accessible. Unfortunately,
    visual storytelling often takes a backseat in scientific communication. Scientists
    are trained to analyze and interpret data, but many default to software-generated
    plots without considering accessibility or how their figures will be perceived
    by readers outside their immediate field. Without thoughtful design, figures lose
    their power to enhance understanding, ultimately limiting the significance of
    the research itself.\r\nIn this editorial, we examine the challenges that, in
    our view, hamper scientific figure design and discuss how thoughtful refinements
    driven by feedback, iteration, and design principles can enhance clarity and impact
    visual communication."
article_processing_charge: Yes
article_type: editorial
author:
- first_name: Aiswarya
  full_name: Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil, Aiswarya
  id: 8aceb01b-8972-11ed-ae7b-d5fe53775add
  last_name: Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil
- first_name: Christine
  full_name: Fiedler, Christine
  id: bd3fceba-dc74-11ea-a0a7-c17f71817366
  last_name: Fiedler
- first_name: Maria
  full_name: Ibáñez, Maria
  id: 43C61214-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
  last_name: Ibáñez
  orcid: 0000-0001-5013-2843
citation:
  ama: 'Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil A, Fiedler C, Ibáñez M. Let us FIGURE it out: Why
    do scientists still make “bad” figures? <i>ACS Materials Au</i>. 2025;5(3):438-440.
    doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00037">10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00037</a>'
  apa: 'Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil, A., Fiedler, C., &#38; Ibáñez, M. (2025). Let us
    FIGURE it out: Why do scientists still make “bad” figures? <i>ACS Materials Au</i>.
    American Chemical Society. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00037">https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00037</a>'
  chicago: 'Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil, Aiswarya, Christine Fiedler, and Maria Ibáñez.
    “Let Us FIGURE It out: Why Do Scientists Still Make ‘Bad’ Figures?” <i>ACS Materials
    Au</i>. American Chemical Society, 2025. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00037">https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00037</a>.'
  ieee: 'A. Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil, C. Fiedler, and M. Ibáñez, “Let us FIGURE it
    out: Why do scientists still make ‘bad’ figures?,” <i>ACS Materials Au</i>, vol.
    5, no. 3. American Chemical Society, pp. 438–440, 2025.'
  ista: 'Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil A, Fiedler C, Ibáñez M. 2025. Let us FIGURE it out:
    Why do scientists still make “bad” figures? ACS Materials Au. 5(3), 438–440.'
  mla: 'Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil, Aiswarya, et al. “Let Us FIGURE It out: Why Do Scientists
    Still Make ‘Bad’ Figures?” <i>ACS Materials Au</i>, vol. 5, no. 3, American Chemical
    Society, 2025, pp. 438–40, doi:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00037">10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00037</a>.'
  short: A. Rayaroth Puthiyaveettil, C. Fiedler, M. Ibáñez, ACS Materials Au 5 (2025)
    438–440.
corr_author: '1'
date_created: 2025-05-25T22:16:51Z
date_published: 2025-05-14T00:00:00Z
date_updated: 2025-06-11T13:23:01Z
day: '14'
ddc:
- '540'
department:
- _id: MaIb
doi: 10.1021/acsmaterialsau.5c00037
external_id:
  pmid:
  - '40385955'
file:
- access_level: open_access
  checksum: a3aa15e4022fa359d6ba5afb96268841
  content_type: application/pdf
  creator: dernst
  date_created: 2025-05-28T08:48:38Z
  date_updated: 2025-05-28T08:48:38Z
  file_id: '19753'
  file_name: 2025_ACSMaterialsAu_Rayaroth.pdf
  file_size: 1750018
  relation: main_file
  success: 1
file_date_updated: 2025-05-28T08:48:38Z
has_accepted_license: '1'
intvolume: '         5'
issue: '3'
language:
- iso: eng
month: '05'
oa: 1
oa_version: Published Version
page: 438-440
pmid: 1
publication: ACS Materials Au
publication_identifier:
  eissn:
  - 2694-2461
publication_status: published
publisher: American Chemical Society
quality_controlled: '1'
scopus_import: '1'
status: public
title: 'Let us FIGURE it out: Why do scientists still make “bad” figures?'
tmp:
  image: /images/cc_by_nc_nd.png
  legal_code_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode
  name: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
    (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
  short: CC BY-NC-ND (4.0)
type: journal_article
user_id: 2DF688A6-F248-11E8-B48F-1D18A9856A87
volume: 5
year: '2025'
...