Data Visualization Tools and Presentation Templates

Created by: Gina Yu

Last Updated: July 30,2026

This page provides a brief overview of software and resources commonly used for scientific data visualization. While statistical software such as R and Python are used to generate figures, additional design software can help transform these outputs into publication-quality figures, posters, presentations, and graphical abstracts.

Below are several commonly used tools and resources within biostatistics and neuroimaging research.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor commonly used for editing and combining figures generated from statistical software.

Common Uses in Biostatistics

  • Editing plots exported from R (e.g., ggplot2 figures)
  • Combining multiple plots into publication-quality multi-panel figures
  • Adjusting fonts, labels, colors, and spacing
  • Creating schematic diagrams to accompany statistical results

Illustrator works with vector graphics, allowing figures to be resized without losing quality. It is not to be confused with Adobe Photoshop, which focuses primarily on editing raster images and photographs. Illustrator is generally the preferred software for figure design and layout.

BioRender

BioRender is a web-based platform designed for creating scientific diagrams and conceptual illustrations. Although it is commonly used in wet-lab and biological research, it can also be valuable for communicating statistical methods and study designs.

Common Uses in Biostatistics

  • Biological pathway diagrams
  • Simulation workflow diagrams
  • Study design illustrations
  • Graphical abstracts
  • Conceptual figures explaining statistical methods

BioRender provides an extensive library of scientific icons and templates, allowing users to create professional-quality figures without advanced graphic design experience.

Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign is a publishing and layout program used to organize figures, text, and graphics into cohesive documents.

Common Uses in Biostatistics

  • Designing conference posters
  • Creating reports and manuscripts with integrated figures
  • Arranging multiple visualizations into a single layout
  • Preparing presentation materials

InDesign is particularly useful when assembling multiple figures into posters or presentation materials while maintaining consistent formatting.

Poster and Slide Templates

Rather than designing every presentation or poster from scratch, many researchers begin with pre-existing templates.

Common examples include:

  • Conference poster templates
  • PowerPoint presentation templates
  • Lab-specific presentation templates
  • University-branded poster and slide templates

Within PennSIVE and other research groups, lab members often maintain unofficial Penn-branded poster and slide templates that can serve as useful starting points for presentations and conference posters. Be sure to verify any institutional branding requirements before using these templates for official presentations.

General Figure Design Principles

Regardless of the software used, effective scientific figures should:

  • Clearly communicate one primary message
  • Avoid unnecessary visual clutter
  • Use readable fonts and appropriately sized labels
  • Maintain consistent colors and formatting across figures
  • Include informative legends and figure captions when appropriate
  • Be interpretable without extensive explanation in the accompanying text

Export Recommendations

Choosing the appropriate file format is an important final step when preparing figures, posters, or presentations. Different formats are optimized for different purposes.

Output Recommended Format Notes
Figures for manuscripts PDF or SVG Preserves vector graphics for high-quality publication.
Conference posters PDF Preferred by most printing services.
Presentation slides PPTX or PDF PPTX for editing; PDF for presenting or sharing.
Images PNG High-resolution raster image suitable for presentations and web use.
Photographs JPEG Smaller file size, but not recommended for figures containing text.

What is SVG?

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a vector-based image format commonly used when exporting figures from software such as R (ggplot2) or Adobe Illustrator. Unlike raster formats such as PNG or JPEG, SVG images can be resized without losing image quality, making them ideal for publication-quality figures and posters.

When possible, export plots from R as PDF or SVG before making edits in Adobe Illustrator.

Example Workflow in PennSIVE

A typical workflow might look like:

  1. Analyze data and generate plots in R using packages such as ggplot2
  2. Export figures as PDF or SVG files
  3. Refine and combine figures in Adobe Illustrator
  4. Create conceptual diagrams or workflow illustrations in BioRender
  5. Assemble posters or presentations in Adobe InDesign or PowerPoint using an appropriate template
  6. Export the final poster as a PDF and submit it for printing.

Poster Printing

PennSIVE commonly uses SlideMakers for conference poster printing.

Email:

When submitting a poster for printing, CC:

  • PI name
  • Business Office Rep Name

A typical email should include the following information:

Would you print this poster please?

Poster size:
Material:
Delivery date:
Name:
Organization:
Delivery address:
Cell number:

Before submitting your poster, verify:

  • Poster dimensions are correct.
  • The poster has been exported as a high-resolution PDF.
  • All figures and text appear correctly after exporting.
  • The requested delivery date allows sufficient printing time.

Poster and Slide Templates

Using an existing template can save significant time when preparing conference posters or presentations. Rather than designing layouts from scratch, templates provide a consistent structure, formatting, and branding.

Available Templates

These templates have been shared by PennSIVE lab members and can serve as a useful starting point for conference posters, lab presentations, and research talks. Users are encouraged to make their own copy before editing. Furthermore, within the PennSIVE Lab Share Folders, under “Poster Logo and Lab Presentation Template”, there are more templates that are available for use/editing.