Medical and Scientific Illustrator
A Medical and Scientific Illustrator is a professional artist trained in both the arts and relevant sciences, specializing in the creation of visual representations of medical and scientific subjects. Their work encompasses a diverse range of topics, including human anatomy, surgical processes, and botanical or animal illustrations, employing various media such as traditional drawing, painting, and digital tools like computer animation. These illustrations are crucial for educational purposes, publications, and legal documentation. Medical and scientific illustrators typically work independently or on a contract basis, often collaborating with experts in medicine or science to ensure accuracy in their representations.
Individuals drawn to this career generally possess artistic talent, attention to detail, and a strong interest in scientific and medical subjects. Educational pathways often involve obtaining a bachelor's or master's degree in medical and scientific illustration, complemented by studies in art and science. The work environment can vary widely, with illustrators potentially operating from art studios, hospitals, or laboratories. Daily tasks may include attending surgical procedures, using microscopes, and creating visual aids for textbooks or instructional materials. Overall, this profession requires a blend of artistic skills, scientific knowledge, and effective communication abilities.
Medical and Scientific Illustrator
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Arts, A/V Technology & Communications, Health Science, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Interests: Art, illustration, medicine, science, botany, computer animation, photography
Earnings (Yearly Median): $52,910 per year $25.44 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 3% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's or Master's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Long-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Medical and scientific illustrators are professional artists with training in the arts and the relevant sciences. Medical illustrators draw human anatomy, three-dimensional forms, and steps in the surgical process, while scientific illustrators draw animals and plants as well as molecular, planetary, and geological forms. Medical and scientific illustrators use a wide variety of media to create their work, including pencil, ink, paint, and digital tools such as computer animation. They often use photography and video to capture or record their subjects, and may also make models from plaster or wax to use as the source or inspiration for their illustrations. Medical and scientific illustrations are used in teaching, publications, and legal matters.
Work Environment. Medical and scientific illustrators are often self-employed or employed on a contract basis to produce a limited set of illustrations. They may work days, evenings, or weekends, depending on the scope and urgency of the project. Illustrators are at risk for job-related injuries such as eyestrain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and backache.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the profession of medical or scientific illustrator tend to be artistic, intelligent, and detail-oriented. Those most successful at the job display traits such as good eyesight, hand-eye coordination, focus, and artistic sensibility. Medical and scientific illustrators should have an interest in medical or scientific subjects, be willing to conduct independent research, and be skilled in a wide range of artistic techniques.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The daily occupational duties and responsibilities of medical and scientific illustrators will be determined by the individual’s area of job specialization and work environment. Areas of specialization include subject matter specialties such as surgery, botany, animal science, or ophthalmology; media specialties such as model making or computer animation; and production specialties such as textbooks, exhibits, advertising, instructional videos, or stock image production.
A medical or scientific illustrator should keep their tools, including pencil, ink, paint, paper, plaster, wax, cameras, video cameras, and computers, ready and in good working order. During the course of a day, a medical or scientific illustrator may attend surgical procedures or physical examinations, use microscopes or other equipment in medical laboratory settings, read scientific papers, or meet with relevant experts in order to obtain information and source material for their work. A medical or scientific illustrator may be tasked with creating a traditional illustration, a computer animation, or a three-dimensional model for veterinary textbooks and schools; medical textbooks, journals, or advertising campaigns; visual aids and videos to be used for teaching purposes; or court cases. They may also write the text to accompany a medical or scientific illustration in a publication or create medical illustrations that depict best practices for patient care or laboratory procedures.
In addition to the tasks described above, medical and scientific illustrators will benefit from promoting their illustration services to medical and scientific publishing communities and engaging in professional development with physicians, scientists, and other medical and scientific illustrators.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The immediate physical environment of medical and scientific illustrators varies based on their employer and specialization. They may work in art studios, medical schools, hospitals, medical offices and clinics, medical laboratories, medical libraries, or art-related businesses such as advertising companies or stock image companies.
Human Environment. Medical and scientific illustrators generally work in isolation but should be comfortable interacting with physicians, nurses, scientists, lab workers, publishers, teachers, lawyers, and art business professionals through virtual or face-to-face means to discuss illustration subjects and contracts.
Technological Environment. Medical and scientific illustrators use a wide variety of tools and equipment to complete their work, including pencil, ink, paint, paper, plaster, wax, cameras, video cameras, computers, scanners, and printers. Illustrators also use medical and scientific illustration software like Autodesk's Maya and 3ds Max, both of which are specifically designed for the healthcare industry, to create their work.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as a medical and scientific illustrator should prepare themselves by studying sciences such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and physiology and by taking as many art classes as possible. College preparatory programs may be helpful in this regard.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming medical or scientific illustrators should work toward a bachelor’s degree combining art or graphic design with science and/or premedical courses or a master’s degree in medical and scientific illustration from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Coursework in photography and web design may also prove useful in their future work. Postsecondary students can gain work experience by securing internships or part-time employment in visual art or medical settings.
Related Occupations
− Commercial Artist
Bibliography
“Careers.” Association of Medical Illustrators, 2023, www.ami.org/medical-illustration/enter-the-profession/careers. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
“Craft and Fine Artists.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/craft-and-fine-artists.htm. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
“Medical Illustrator/Animator.” ExploreHealthCareers.org, Liaison International, 2024, explorehealthcareers.org/career/arts-and-humanities-in-health/medical-illustrator-animator. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
“Medicine Meets Art: Explore a Medical Illustration Career.” Art Career Project. Art Career Project, 2014. 29 Sept. 2016.
"3-D Medical Illustration Software - Best of 2023." The Medical Illustration Company, 2 Mar. 2023, themedicalillustrationcompany.com/3d-medical-illustration-software. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.