Making figures for publications is an often neglected stage - and in many situations we resolve to simplest figures made in PowerPoint etc. Aa a #science_designer I'm often commissioned to revamp such figures. Here's an example processes. #sciart #viz thread of 10 
0) It's a figure I'm working on with other colleagues - the initial version (LEFT) was "OK" - it would do in terms of conveying messages (if accompanied with a proper label). MIDDLE = first iteration. RIGHT = close to finish. It still needs some work but:
1) Don't underestimate the power of small things, like e.g. white space - your content does not have to be crammed and squeezed as tightly as possible
2) Rationalise the use of colour: use variations of one shade instead of several hues, use colour to create visual grouping and create links, reserve "accent" colours for information that should stand out.
3) Text always looks better if it's presented using a well-designed font that is pleasant to the eye + has balanced design and looks nice (and clearly different) when bolded or italicised. Here I've used my all-time fav: Helvetica.
4) Contain self-sufficient pieces of text creating narration and structure - e.g. using visual devices that make it easy to find descriptive text/commentary from labels.
5) Create visual links akin to those used in infographics - e.g. linking the use of specific symbols across your design. Here this technique means I do not have to add excessive explanation about the 9 sampling timepoints.
6) Space is precious! If you can reduce the amount of empty space without compromising aesthetics - do it. But remember - margins and clever white space are good :)
7) Use visual legends to minimise the amount of textual information wherever it is not absolutely necessary.
8) Create causal links by using visual concepts of flow, transfer of information, progress. Here the shaded areas are used to show nestedness of subsequent stages. They were present in original design but a bit confusing and with far too bold, unnecessarily dark colours.
9) Don't be afraid to break the rules. Table borders do not have to be unbroken and solid. Tables do not have to be black test on white background. Experiment. Use well known design rules. Play :) #designforscience #sciillustration #gooddesign #infographics
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