I can’t count the number of times I've panicked when my paper needs a graphical abstract or better figures. After months of data collection on cellular processes, explaining my findings can be challenging. The pathways and interactions are clear in my mind, but creating a simple, comprehensible visual feels overwhelming. My visuals usually end up cluttered with too much information, and it’s always a rush to meet those tight publication deadlines.

A week before a major conference, my PowerPoint slides are still a jumble of text and basic shapes. I'm super excited about the research but need compelling visuals to support my talk and convey my work.

I've spent many hours on grant proposals and sometimes feel frustrated. The process is complex and requires great attention to detail in documents with a strict format and length. Despite having preliminary data and a clear research idea, I often stare at a blank page, struggling to describe certain elements. Everything makes sense to me, but articulating it for others is tough.

My paper has been accepted by a prestigious journal—olé! They even invited me to submit the cover art—olé again! While this is a fantastic opportunity for visibility, I don't know how to create a scientifically accurate and visually appealing image. After all, I'm a researcher, not an artist. 

My institution has invited me to a public science event, but I'm worried my work may be too abstract for the general audience. How can I transform my “complex concepts” into accessible ideas without oversimplifying—and, more importantly, without putting everyone to sleep? It will be fantastic to use animations, but I am already overwhelmed with static images.