Headline Graphic

At Global Journals®, we recognise that in a world flooded with content, your research needs to stand out – not just in the full article, but at the very first glance. Our Headline Graphic page is dedicated to creating powerful visual snapshots that encapsulate the essence of published work: bold, clear, engaging graphics that draw readers in and amplify reach.

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What You’ll Find Here

  • Featured Graphics Gallery
  • A showcase of headline graphics created for selected published papers, each with a short description of how the visual reflects the key findings.
  • Graphic Standards & Guidelines
  • A downloadable guideline document for authors and editors: dimensions, typography, colour palette (aligned with the Global Journals® brand), accessibility (alt-text, colour contrast), and file formats
  • How-to Guide for Authors
  • Step-by-step instructions: how to propose a headline graphic for your accepted article, including storyboard, image rights, licensing, and final submission.
  • Asset Repository & Download Links
  • Ready-to-use graphic files (high resolution and web-optimised) linked to articles, for authors, institutions and media use.

Why Headline Graphics Matter

  • Immediate Engagement
  • A strong visual creates a hook: when someone sees a headline graphic, they get a sense of the story even before reading the abstract.
  • Clarity & Accessibility
  • Visuals help break down complex research into memorable, shareable pieces. A compelling graphic can carry the message into social media, institutional newsletters, and international audiences.
  • Brand & Cohesion
  • Consistent, well-designed graphics reinforce the reputation of Global Journals® as a high-quality, global scholarly publisher.
  • Enhanced Impact
  • Visual assets extend the lifespan of an article by making it easier to share, cite, and engage with across disciplines and geographies.

Designing an Effective Headline Graphic

Here are our recommended best practices:

  • Focus on the “take-home” message
  • What is the one main idea your article conveys? The graphic should communicate this clearly, with minimal text and strong imagery.
  • Use meaningful visuals
  • Choose meaningful icons, diagrams or photos (with rights) that reflect the research context and outcome.
  • Keep text brief and legible
  • Headlines, sub-captions and labels should use large, readable fonts; avoid clutter.
  • Maintain brand consistency
  • Use the established Global Journals® brand colours, fonts and logo placement so that the graphic feels integral to our family of journals.
  • Ensure accessibility & share-ready formats
  • Provide alt-text for each graphic; include resizing considerations for social media (square, wide, mobile) and print.
  • Consider reuse & crediting
  • Encourage authors to include the graphic in talks, institutional pages or media coverage, with appropriate citation of the article and Global Journals®.

Why Global Journals® -led Headline Graphics?

  • We combine rigorous publishing standards (through our affiliation with Open Association of Research Societies (OARS) in the U.S. and adherence to Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines) with modern research communication services.
  • Our global network (130+ countries) means that a compelling visual has the power to cross language and region barriers creating shareable assets without sacrificing meaning.
  • We support authors beyond manuscript submission: enabling their research to be seen, understood and acted upon.

How to Submit a Video Highlight

  • With your article accepted, review the “Headline Graphic Author Guide” and decide whether you’ll:
  • Provide your own design (following our specifications) or
  • Methodology in plain language
  • Submit a short concept (100-150 words) outlining the message you want the graphic to convey and key visual ideas (colours, imagery, layout).
  • Provide any proposed visuals (photos/illustrations) with rights clearance, and indicate preferred formats (square, wide, print).
  • The design team will draft the graphic, send you a review version; once approved, we’ll embed it in the article page, link it to your impact summary and distribute it via our communication platforms.
  • After finalisation, you may download the ready graphic and embed it on institutional pages, presentation slides and social media, crediting your article, Global Journals® and the Global Journals® logo as appropriate.

Make Your Research Visually Memorable

In an information-rich world, the first impression often determines whether your research is noticed. With the Headline Graphic service at Global Journals®, we give your work the visual voice it deserves. When your findings matter - make sure they’re seen.

FAQs: Impact Summary

What exactly is a “Headline Graphic”?

 A Headline Graphic is a visual asset designed to accompany a published article, typically a high-impact image or illustration that summarises the main message of the research at a glance. It functions like a “visual hook” to draw attention and communicate the key takeaway quickly.

Why does Global Journals® include Headline Graphics for published papers?

Because in our global, multi-disciplinary environment, research must not only be rigorous but also be communicated clearly and widely. A strong visual helps your work:

  • Grab attention on webpages, newsletters, social media.
  • Convey complex ideas in an accessible way.
  • Increase visibility and shareability across audiences.
  • Support our mission of connecting researchers in 130+ countries and driving impact.
When should the Headline Graphic be created?

The Headline Graphic should ideally be developed after the paper has been accepted for publication (or as the final version is ready), so the key findings are fixed, but before the article goes live, to ensure seamless integration with the article page, promotional materials, and our brand layout.

Who is responsible for making the Headline Graphic - the author or the journal?

It can be either:

  • Authors may propose or submit their own design (following our specifications).
  • Authors may request the journal’s communications/design team to produce the graphic (from a concept provided by the author).
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In either case, we collaborate to ensure the design meets our brand, accessibility, and technical requirements

What are the technical guidelines for a Headline Graphic (size, format, resolution)?

Key features include:

  • A clear start-to-finish visual flow (left-to-right or top-to-bottom).
  • Minimal text (a short headline + brief sub-message).
  • Adequate resolution (e.g., at least 300 dpi for print, appropriate for web).
  • File types such as TIFF, EPS, PDF or high-quality JPG/PNG.
  • Colour palette and brand fonts consistent with Global Journals®.

These recommendations align with general guidance for graphical abstracts in scholarly publishing.

What makes an effective Headline Graphic?

Key features include:

  • One strong visual concept (image, icon, diagram) that reflects the research’s “take-home” point.
  • Minimal text (a short headline + brief sub-message).
  • One strong visual concept (image, icon, diagram) that reflects the research’s “take-home” point.
  • Minimal text (a short headline + brief sub-message).
  • One strong visual concept (image, icon, diagram) that reflects the research’s “take-home” point.

These elements are derived from research communication best-practice for graphical/visual abstracts.

Can I use the Headline Graphic after publication (on my website, presentations, social media)?

 Yes, once finalized and placed by Global Journals®, you are encouraged to embed or include it in your own dissemination channels. Just please retain the attribution (article citation + Global Journals® branding) when you reuse it.

What if my research is very technical and the visual seems difficult to design?

 That’s okay. Even highly technical research can be distilled into a simple visual message - the Headline Graphic doesn’t need to show every detail, but should capture the essence of what the research accomplished or discovered. We offer guidance and can provide design support if needed.

Is there any additional cost for having a Headline Graphic created?

 Typically no. The Headline Graphic is part of the communications support we provide to authors and is included in our publishing workflow. If you request unusually complex custom design beyond the usual scope, we can discuss additional arrangements.

How does a Headline Graphic differ from a “Graphical Abstract” or “Visual Abstract”?

While the terms overlap, the key difference is purpose and context:

  • A Graphical Abstract/Visual Abstract is primarily used within the article itself (or at the start) to summarise research findings visually
  • A Headline Graphic is more of an external-facing asset, used for promotion, visibility, engagement, and to draw attention to the article rather than replace any part of the article.

At Global Journals®, we use the Headline Graphic as part of our communication tools alongside the written abstract, video highlight, and other supports.

What happens if I submit a Headline Graphic that doesn’t meet technical or brand standards?

 The communications/design team will review it and may request adjustments (layout, font size, image resolution, colour usage) to ensure it aligns with our brand and accessibility standards. We’ll work with you to finalise it before publication.

Can the Headline Graphic be updated after initial publication?

 Yes if significant new findings, extended dissemination or redesign needs arise, we can issue an updated version. However, major changes are uncommon and should be proposed with justification.