Learning how to teach visual communication design skills to scientists and engineers

Melissa D. Clarkson

doi:10.1109/IPCC.2014.7020394

Learning how to teach visual communication design skills to scientists and engineers

Melissa D. Clarkson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This research provides a picture of how scientists and engineers, particularly those in graduate training programs, respond to the need to create visual communication artifacts in the absence of any formal training in visual communication design. Two interview-based studies were carried out, revealing how scientists and engineers approach visual design tasks; the software tools they use; their sources of images; and their interactions with advisors and colleagues during the design process. I found that the strategies of design-by-imitation and design-by-reuse were common. This research also provides evidence that a moderate amount of design training can influence how scientists and engineers think about design and how they approach design tasks. Finally, suggestions are made for how a curriculum in visual communication design can align with the needs of this population.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2014 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, IPCC 2014
ISBN (Electronic)	9781479937493
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2014.7020394
State	Published - Jan 23 2015
Event	2014 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, IPCC 2014 - Pittsburgh, United States Duration: Oct 13 2014 → Oct 15 2014

Publication series

Name	IEEE International Professional Communication Conference
Volume	2015-January
ISSN (Print)	2158-091X
ISSN (Electronic)	2158-1002

Conference

Conference	2014 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, IPCC 2014
Country/Territory	United States
City	Pittsburgh
Period	10/13/14 → 10/15/14

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 IEEE.

Keywords

STEM communication training
Science communication training
visual communication
visual design

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Communication
General Engineering

Access to Document

10.1109/IPCC.2014.7020394

Cite this

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title = "Learning how to teach visual communication design skills to scientists and engineers",

abstract = "This research provides a picture of how scientists and engineers, particularly those in graduate training programs, respond to the need to create visual communication artifacts in the absence of any formal training in visual communication design. Two interview-based studies were carried out, revealing how scientists and engineers approach visual design tasks; the software tools they use; their sources of images; and their interactions with advisors and colleagues during the design process. I found that the strategies of design-by-imitation and design-by-reuse were common. This research also provides evidence that a moderate amount of design training can influence how scientists and engineers think about design and how they approach design tasks. Finally, suggestions are made for how a curriculum in visual communication design can align with the needs of this population.",

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Clarkson, MD 2015, Learning how to teach visual communication design skills to scientists and engineers. in 2014 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, IPCC 2014., 7020394, IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, vol. 2015-January, 2014 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, IPCC 2014, Pittsburgh, United States, 10/13/14. https://doi.org/10.1109/IPCC.2014.7020394

Learning how to teach visual communication design skills to scientists and engineers. / Clarkson, Melissa D.
2014 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference, IPCC 2014. 2015. 7020394 (IEEE International Professional Communication Conference; Vol. 2015-January).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

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Learning how to teach visual communication design skills to scientists and engineers

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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Cite this