Figures and graphics

Maps

Maps should appear as simplified illustrations. Avoid including unnecessary details or labels. The territory color should be light gray; any bodies of water should be white. Maps are usually editable when exported from the programs used to create them. However, when a second program is used to add information to a map, the resulting file loses its editability. A second program should not be used to edit or add information. Ciencias Marinas will add additional required information in the production stage for you.

 

MapExample

 

Colors

Create figures using color. Ciencias Marinas utilizes three institutional colors: navy blue (R27 G90 B122, #1B5A85), turquoise (R0 G181 B178, #00B5B2), and coral (R252 G79 B83, #FC4F53). When possible, use these colors to create your figures.

 

ColorExample

 

If the same label appears in multiple figures, use the same color for that label in all figures.

 

LabelExample

 

Use colors to represent data instead of textures. Using textures for data often reduces clarity and leads to misinterpretations of the results.

 

TextureExample

 

If a figure contains multiple colors (e.g., a bar graph), use only a few contrasting colors. Use shade variations of these colors, as well as black, white, and shades of gray. In doing so, your figure will appear visually harmonious. In contrast, using a multitude of colors in a figure will cause it to appear unbalanced and overly saturated.

 

ColorFamilyExample

 

Whenever possible, add a thin black outline to elements, especially when those elements are data. Including a black outline aids clarity and reduces the potential for misinterpretations of the results.

 

OutlineExample

 

If you use the same color in different tones within a single figure, select colors with high-contrast tonal differences (e.g., lemon green and pine green) to avoid confusion and ensure all elements are differentiated easily.

 

TonalExample

 

Labels

If a figure contains axes, use tick marks, label each axis with the variable name, and include units for all variables.

 

AxisLabelExample

 

Sending your figures for editing

Once an article is accepted for publication, figures must be submitted in editable digital formats. All figures and artwork will be edited to adhere to the format of Ciencias Marinas.

All elements (e.g., objects, lines, legends, letters and numbers) in editable figures can be modified independently. To the contrary, the figure is not editable.

When preparing figures for the production stage, take the following into account when saving or exporting files.

  • Save or export your figures or graphics in one of the following editable formats: Windows Metafile (WMF), Corel Draw (CDR), Adobe Illustrator (AI), Portable Document Format (PDF), Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), Microsoft Excel Worksheet (XLM), or Encapsulated PostScript (EPS). Note: saving an image (JPEG, TIFF, or PNG) in one of the editable formats will not produce an editable figure.

  • Save or export directly from the program that created the figure or graphic.

  • Do not use a second program to edit, add information, or combine figures or graphics. If necessary, Ciencias Marinas will add additional information using authorized reference figures or combine graphics. If graphics must be combined, you may submit the graphics as independent files (e.g., Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, Fig. 1c, and Fig. 1d).

  • Photographs must be sent with a resolution of >300 dpi in one of the following formats: JPEG, TIFF, or PNG.