A review of visual strategies in pictorials

This pictorial review illustrates an array of visual strategies employed in 271 pictorials published in DIS, C&C, and TEI conferences between 2014 and 2023. Based on a thematic analysis the pictorial review presents the visual strategies under seven analytical themes: 1) composition, 2) typogra¬phy, 3) colour, 4) drawing attention, 5) visual style, 6) active engagement, and 7) visual related work. The review focuses on strategies for communicating research visually, rather than the content and contribution of the reviewed picto¬rials. The review outlines both basic graphical principles, as well as novel use of visual elements. The pictorial is the first attempt at a visual analysis of the pictorial format, offering authors of future pictorials, both an overview of the devel¬opment of the format, as well as inspiration for new ways to complement text with visual content. Lastly, the challenges and future potentials which emerged from the review are discussed.