1. Keep in mind the make-up of the audience. The article is for a specialized journal or some broad area journal.
2. Background knowledge of the audience. The graph/figure should provide all the information necessary.
3. Disciplinary conventions. Follow the Graphical norms and conventions of the research field.
4. Viewers should be able to easily enter the image. Start from the left top corner of the page. A grid can be a useful tool in creating and organizing disparate elements into visual groups
5. Vary the shape, size, orientation, weight, position or color (visual contrasts) to make the key part of the figure visually clear.
6. Avoid incorporating every form of visual contrast. A single type of contrast (only shape, only size, only color) is usually sufficient.
a) A disorganized science graphic, with questionable use of shadows, glows, and other software effects. The text is illegible due to low value contrast; b) A clearer version of (a); c) An improved version of (b). In this redesign, the molecular reaction has been enlarged for greater legibility. Fewer type sizes are used, and components are aligned on an implied grid.
7. Make supporting ticks more small and guidelines thin or dotted.
8. Text in the figure should be clear and readable at a glance even after the graphic is reduced to its final dimensions. (Sans-serif typefaces such as Helvetica and Arial are more legible than Serifs in small sizes).
9. Maximize the contrast between the type and background (≥ 70%).
10. Avoid placing text over a patterned background or photograph.
References
1. How to Write a Good Scientific Paper, Chris A. Mack, SPIE digital library.