How do YOU Visualize the Brain?

Here at Scientific American, we develop lots of infographics about the brain. From classic neural pathway diagrams, depictions of medical breakthroughs, and maps of the brain’s genetic activity, there are as many solutions for visualizing the brain as there are questions about how it works.

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This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


Here at Scientific American, we develop lots of infographics about the brain. From classic neural pathway diagrams, depictions of medical breakthroughs, and maps of the brain’s genetic activity, there are as many solutions for visualizing the brain as there are questions about how it works.

Now it’s your turn.

MIT’s EyeWire, FEI and Visually are sponsoring an infographic competition on the topic, and the organizations are seeking entries that visualize spatial scales in the brain. Submissions are due on April 30, 2014. For more details, including a prize list, check out the competition announcement page. (Full disclosure: I’m a volunteer judge.)


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To get your neurons firing, here’s some inspiration.

The Human Brain Project intends to create a computer simulation at scales ranging from the nano to the macro. (Illustration by Emily Cooper).

Jen Christiansen is an information designer, visual science communicator and author of the book Building Science Graphics: An Illustrated Guide to Communicating Science through Diagrams and Visualizations. She began her publishing career in New York City at Scientific American, moved to Washington, D.C., to join the art department of National Geographic, spent four years as a freelance science communicator and then returned to Scientific American for a second stint, during which she became the magazine’s first graphics-specific art director. In that role, she established a consistent data visualization and diagram philosophy across all articles. She writes and presents on topics ranging from reconciling her love for art and science to her quest to learn more about the pulsar chart on Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures album cover. Her work can be viewed at www.jenchristiansen.com

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