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Scientists seem to spend so long making figures look pretty and formatting.
Shouldn't the journal just pay a person to do this?
Your time is valuable, your graphics skills don't matter to quality of the science, there are people trained in this, and journals have the money.
Shouldn't the journal just pay a person to do this?
Your time is valuable, your graphics skills don't matter to quality of the science, there are people trained in this, and journals have the money.
When I write a book and a mag article no editor expects me to do the formatting and make the graphics.
Sure, I describe illustrations and gfx I would want and look at the figures/illustrations that are made so I can suggest any changes needed but... that's it.
Why not journals?
Sure, I describe illustrations and gfx I would want and look at the figures/illustrations that are made so I can suggest any changes needed but... that's it.
Why not journals?
STOP EXPECTING RESEARCHERS TO DO ALL THE THINGS WITHOUT THE TRAINING OR TIME OR PAYMENT!
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE THINGS PROFESSIONALS ARE TRAINED TO DO!
ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE THINGS PROFESSIONALS ARE TRAINED TO DO!
Researchers, please remember when you feel forced to do it all and be it all that there are people out there trained to do each of the things forced on to your plate who would jump at the chance to be paid to do that work rather than you do it with no extra pay.
It's not a researcher's fault they are expected to write grant apps, lecture, supervise, design curriculum, communicate with public/policy people, manage budgets, and do free labour for journals.
But there ARE people skilled in each of these areas who would LOVE these jobs.
But there ARE people skilled in each of these areas who would LOVE these jobs.
1. It's great if you like making graphics or think no graphic artist would be able to make the ones you do... good for you.
2. No other type of publisher expects people to be author, illustrator, formatter, AND editor WITH NO PAY.
3. This would offer careers to so many people.
2. No other type of publisher expects people to be author, illustrator, formatter, AND editor WITH NO PAY.
3. This would offer careers to so many people.
Omg heaven forbid I suggest something to help a lot of people who struggle with this 
This is HYPOTHETICAL everyone. Yes you'd still need to make figures to submit. Yes the artist would be paid by journal AFTER acceptance. NO, no one is forcing this on every field or figure!
This is HYPOTHETICAL everyone. Yes you'd still need to make figures to submit. Yes the artist would be paid by journal AFTER acceptance. NO, no one is forcing this on every field or figure!
I AM NOT ADVOCATING FOR EVERY FIGURE IN EVERY FIELD TO BE FORCIBLY HANDED OVER TO A GRAPHIC ARTIST WITH NO SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND AND NO COLLABORATION WITH AUTHORS TO MEDDLE WITH.
Omg... Scientists!
I love you but pls get a grip here! This is normal stuff outside science.
Omg... Scientists!
I love you but pls get a grip here! This is normal stuff outside science.
Wait til I tell you about all the other things that you scientists spend your time doing that someone else should be paid to do so you can... ya know... do science! 
No one is saying you won't have to make clear figures for peer review.
Conceptual models, diagrams etc this could be hugely useful for. Your plots aren't the only "figures" and please stop scoffing in my replies like I'm telling you to let an artist plot your data. I'm not!
Conceptual models, diagrams etc this could be hugely useful for. Your plots aren't the only "figures" and please stop scoffing in my replies like I'm telling you to let an artist plot your data. I'm not!
But heck ... I'm getting pushback from researchers for suggesting journals offer and cover the cost of one measly optional service for accepted papers to use...
What pushback would I get if I told you they should pay editors and reviewers and not charge for submission?
What pushback would I get if I told you they should pay editors and reviewers and not charge for submission?
