Conceptual diagram = A diagram using symbols that ... Cave drawing (Australian
.... *.cdr. Corel Draw vector art work. *.bmp. Windows bitmap format raster.
Conceptual Diagrams A tool for science communication
Bill Dennison & Tim Carruthers integration
application
network
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 don’t 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 simpler." A. Einstein integration
application
network
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
application
network
Conceptual diagrams provide an interface Science
Conceptual Diagram
Priorities & environmental values
Current understanding Credibility & support
integration
Community
Shared
vision
application
Commitment & resources
network
Good conceptual diagrams are used extensively
Z scheme of photosynthesis
Plate tectonics
integration
application
network
Darwin used conceptual diagrams to explain his theory of coral reef formation
integration
application
network
Conceptual diagrams use symbols: an ancient technique to depict unequivocal messages
Darwin’s conceptual diagram Cave drawing (Australian aborigines)
integration
application
network
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., 210Pb), 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
application
network
Both shape and color of symbols can be important for recognition
integration
application
network
Symbols are an important feature of everyday life
Shape, color and images used for traffic signs integration
application
network
In conceptual diagrams, as in maps, symbols need to be explained in a legend Map legend:
Conceptual diagram legend:
integration
application
network
Conceptual diagrams can capture the increasing understanding of a system…
1995
1998
2001
integration
application
network
Conceptual diagrams can depict processes at different scales…
meters
kilometers
centimeters integration
application
network
Conceptual diagrams can be nested
integration
application
network
Conceptual diagrams are not…
… cartoons … model relationships … colored box & arrow diagrams … a replacement for good, wellinterpreted data integration
application
network
Conceptual diagrams can augment the effective communication of scientific understanding
Conceptual diagram that uses 2 pp. of text for explanation integration
Conceptual diagram with ‘stand-alone’ legend application
network
Literature citations can be added…
integration
application
network
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
application
network
Use of conceptual models facilitates hybrid diagrams of data Journal articles
integration
Books
application
network
Symbols can be used on maps and linked to species identification guides
Distribution map Identification guide
integration
application
network
Who develops/uses conceptual diagrams?
Scientists
Teachers
Resource Managers integration
application
network
Various applications of conceptual diagrams
Research Synthesis Monitoring Management
integration
application
network
Conceptual diagrams can be incorporated into various publications Books
Newsletters Journal publications
Posters integration
application
network
Conceptual diagrams can be used in powerpoint presentations Overall summary
Component diagrams (nested)
Problem statement
Problem resolution
(Burford et al.) integration
application
network
Conceptual diagrams can be produced in real time to synthesize main messages
Result of one day meeting into seagrass loss in Western Port integration
application
network
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
application
network
Drawing Programs Program
Web Site
Price
Adobe Illustrator (PC, MAC)
www.adobe.com
* $ 45
Corel Draw (PC)
www.corel.com
* $165
www.macromedia.com
** $ 99
www.deneba.com
** $199
Macromedia Freehand (PC,MAC) Deneba Canvas (PC, MAC)
* ~ USM Site License ** ~ Educational Price (not though USM site license) integration
application
network
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 site—public 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
application
network
Resolution issues Print/Publication
Monitor/Web
300 Dots per inch (DPI)
72 DPI (also called PPI-Pixels per inch)
CYMK palette cyan, yellow,magenta, black
RGB palette Red, green, blue
Drawing files, bitmap imagesMay be large files (size)
Compressed images, small 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
application
network
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
application
network
File Types
vector
— determined by the way they represent graphic information
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
application
network
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
application
network
Layering simplifies the diagram
Layer 1 (background panels) Layer 2 (Icons and Keys) Layer 3 (window dressing)
Priority is assigned within layers : a ‘sent to back’ icon will be in front of the ‘sent to front’ background panel
integration
application
network
The ‘layers’ window
Creates new layers
integration
application
network
The ‘layers’ window
The currently active layer is highlighted, anything drawn or imported will be in this layer integration
application
network
The ‘layers’ window
This locks entire layers (for eg base of model) – to work on other layers (eg icons) integration
application
network
The ‘layers’ window
Layers are indicated by different highlight colors
integration
application
network
Bases can be 2 or 3 dimensional • Forming Bases – Filled and Clear arrow tools • Line and Fill colors – the color/stroke/gradient menus • Textures – the swatch menu
Bases integration
application
network
Click and drag bases…
Import the ‘bases palette’
integration
application
network
Click and drag bases…
integration
application
network
Click and drag bases…
To edit base, right click & ‘break link to symbol
integration
application
network
Replicating a base fill/style
Open the Style library ‘Environmental.. Physical Styles’ Then highlight the object to receive a fill style
integration
application
network
Replicating a base fill/style
Changes fill, in this case to ‘mud’
integration
application
network
Gradient palette
Custom gradients can be found in the swatch palette
integration
application
network
Gradient palette
Useful to indicate gradual changes in water quality etc
integration
application
network
Gradient palette Adjust mid point of gradient
Create new color points
integration
application
network
Pen tools (selection tools) Drawing palette
Left click and hold on pen tool gives four options..
integration
application
network
Pen tools (selection tools)
integration
application
network
Pen tools (selection tools)
integration
application
network
Pen tools (selection tools)
integration
application
network
Pen tools (selection tools)
integration
application
network
Pen tools (selection tools)
integration
application
network
Outlines and Fills
Fill
Outline
Line is defined as black and a stroke weight of 1 pt Fill is transparent (turned off)
integration
application
network
Outlines and Fills
Line is transparent (turned off) Fill is defined as light blue
integration
application
network
Libraries
Window: symbol libraries choose required library
integration
application
network
Libraries
3
1. Create new layer 2. Choose symbol 3. Insert into model
1 2
integration
application
network
Creating new symbols
Find a photograph of object and import into Illustrator Lock the image
integration
application
network
Creating new symbols
Choose the standard pen tool Set line thickness and choose an easily visible color Start tracing areas of uniform color
integration
application
network
Creating new symbols
Use the curve pen tool to smooth lines
integration
application
network
Creating new symbols
Adjust color and fill
integration
application
network
Grouping and transforming
Having created a symbol group the elements
integration
application
network
Grouping and transforming
Symbols or elements can be rotated, scaled and reflected
integration
application
network
Grouping and transforming
integration
application
network
A range of currently available symbols
integration
application
network
www.ian.umces.edu/conceptualdiagrams.htm Please visit our website to download the symbol libraries for Illustrator for FREE
Be sure to click the “Register for FREE Instant Access” link integration
application
network
Acknowledgements… Eva Abal Catherine Collier Karen Holloway Diana Kleine Kate Moore Judy O’Neil Francis Pantus Dieter Tracey
integration
application
network
Future possibilities: •
Develop Stella-like functionality with conceptual diagram ‘frontend’ (quantitative representations, scenario runs)?
integration
application
network
