A complete guide to graphical abstract templates and their types

A graphical abstract is an easy-to-grasp visual summarization of a study. These visual summaries are now quite common in academic publications, serving as the first point of engagement with a reader. As a result, it is becoming increasingly important for authors to be able to conceive and create striking graphical abstracts. Just like in the popular game Pictionary, creating a graphical abstract requires choosing the most instantly recognizable visual elements. A simple drawing (say, a cloud with lines for “rain”) might not be enough—adding context (like an umbrella) could be crucial for clearer understanding. The challenge lies in selecting visuals that effectively communicate your message at the first glance.  

Next, to guide the effective presentation of the data and to keep with the prevalent style of the target journal, graphical abstract templates are important. Custom templates might be provided by the publisher or by specialized tools. An author can even create templates from scratch using tools such as PowerPoint, Canva, or Adobe Illustrator. 

Graphical abstract template types 

Various visual abstract templates cater to different data types and research or presentation needs. Important considerations are size, design, and color palette. Some common formats are as follows: 

Single panel: Information may from left to right or top to bottom. This format is ideal for straightforward studies with a clear message. 

Left-to-right: Text is arranged with left-to-right formatting and may be used to describe a sequence of events or depict a series of scientific conclusions. 

Figure 1: Left to right graphical abstract template example (Source: Simplified Science Publishing)

Top-to-bottom: Text moves naturally go from top to bottom, which suits data moving from, say, a large to small quantity, north to south on a map, or from topsoil to lower soil layers. 

 Figure 2: Top to bottom graphical abstract template example (Source: Simplified Science Publishing)

Two or more panels: The use of multiple panels in a visual abstract template can help illustrate processes or depict comparisons. One unique variant of a multi-panel format is a “comic strip” graphical abstract. 

Circular: Such a format might be effective for depicting cyclical processes or details warranting pie charts or nested pie charts.

 Figure 3: Circular graphical abstract template example (Source: Simplified Science Publishing)

Timelines: These are effective when showing sequences or timelines, highlighting important events or milestones. Information may flow in a left-to-right or top-to-bottom manner. 

Note that these templates can be customized using software such as PowerPoint or Adobe Illustrator, or specialized tools such as Mind the Graph.  

Free graphical abstract templates