Biomedical science can be highly technical and specialised. Often the best way to cut through the jargon quickly is to use a technical figure. Conversely, a poorly designed figure can leave your peers scratching their heads at unresolved ambiguities.

We help scientists translate their findings into clear figures that summarise the findings and remove ambiguity. We can transform as simple pencil sketch into a publication-ready figure that’s easy to edit if further details come to light.

It is also important to try and present the science in a way that can be understood by non-specialists in your field as well as your peers. Technical figures allow the science to be presented in a clear and effective manner to the audience, including any potential collaborators and investors. 

Here at Vivid Biology, we understand the science underpinning technical figures. We’re also adept at creating great designs that intuitively guide readers through a process.

We can redraw data plots and figures to journal guidelines, either from original data or tracing vector files from images. We can also take previously published figures that you’ve got permission to reproduce, and redraw them as publication-ready vector files. If you need a graphical abstract or table of contents figure to go with a manuscript, we can take a pencil sketch or powerpoint mock-up and create a crisp, uniformly styled schematic that will help you stand out.

First, we will ask you to send a rough mock up or sketch for us to work from. It can be a pencil sketch, PowerPoint or whichever format you feel comfortable with, we are able to work with many different methods. If you are struggling to think of a way to visualise what you want then we can send you some icons and other inspiring ideas to help.

Our team will then research the journal requirements for the size and format of the figure to ensure it meets the specifications. Once we create a first draft, we will send it to you for review and this process of revision will continue until you are completely happy with the final result. Usually clients will add comments to PDFs in Acrobat, others prefer the traditional approach of red pen on print-outs.

Every brief is different but technical figures are usually fairly standardised.

We usually price at the rates below.

Projects that require location-based work are billed by the day. Please contact us separately for details.

Redrawing data plots

Bar charts – from £35

Scatter plots – from £50

If you have more than 100 data points, please contact us for a quote.

New manuscript figures

Table of contents figure – from £125

Graphical Abstract – from £250

Full page – from £500

Half page – from £250

Quarter page – from £125

Redrawing figures

From £100-£400 depending on complexity (please ask for quote)