Suggestions for a Scientific Illustration Portfolio?

lpetiti

@Robert-Henderson Thank you! And good idea about younger academic illustration. I've done some children's books so that might be a way to marry that in as well. Interesting thoughts

chrisaakins

@lpetiti I think this is really cool that you want to do this! One concern I have for you in this endeavor is that being an official scientific illustrator might require a degree specific to this field. I know medical illustration does. That doesn't mean someone might not hire you for their work but the big textbook companies and professors out there might be looking for credentials. I know that the University of Georgia has a specific degree for scientific illustration and it requires 10-12 courses in the sciences on top of the other art-related courses. If you haven't looked into what is required to be hired in this area you might want to start there. (And let me know what you find! Scientific illustration would be AWESOME to work in especially since I have 25 years as a science teacher under my belt).

A quick search led me to this website:
https://www.simplifiedsciencepublishing.com/resources/how-to-become-a-scientific-illustrator
it was very informative about how to become a scientific illustrator.

von_Nimmermehr

I guess you could look on websites for Professional Agencys for Illustrators where they can publish their portfolio. Some of these Portfolio Websites let you sort the illustrations by theme and/or technique so that the client quick find what he/she/they/them wants.

lpetiti

@chrisaakins I’ve definitely taken that into consideration. I’ve been looking into a Masters degree from CSU Monterey and inquiring about a part time degree. The more I look at it I see that having a degree helps

lpetiti

@chrisaakins from what I’ve gleaned a lot of these degrees vary in what types of science classes they require. John’s Hopkins for example requires basically med school from what I’ve read. Cutting up cadavers…no thanksothers are more biology based (like Monterey) or from what I read you focus more on illustration. Problem is a lot of these programs are on the east coast and only few in CA. Fingers crossed that online learning, especially for a Masters degree would still be accommodated

jenn

@lpetiti I just wanted to say I'm a teacher too and everything you said in your post is resonating with me after these past couple years of pandemic teaching. There is so much shake-up going on in this field, not to mention the burn-out that normally happens. I say why not start focusing your efforts toward science, even just to get started while keeping the day job. And just thinking outside the box - you never know: you might even be able to find some opportunity to be involved in medical illustration if your boyfriend is going into nursing, maybe he would able to help critique your work, introduce you to a contact in the field, or brainstorm timely topics for needs like patient communication.

Melissa_Bailey

@lpetiti have you checked out Mesa's online portfolio? Her website might give you some ideas and answers.

You can also check out the #scientificillustration and #scientificillustrator hashtags on Instagram to find other scientific illustrators and look at their profile/online portfolio.

Here's one to get you started: Alex Boersma -- she is a scientific illustrator based in the US. Her work is AMAZING.

Another option you may want to consider is reaching out to a working scientific illustrator to see if they would be willing to mentor you. Nothing like getting feedback and guidance from someone in the biz!

Having done a few scientific illustrations for clients and illustrating a few nonfiction or fact-based books, I know that accuracy is key. You've got to be able to accurately illustrate, down to the details most would overlook. And it helps to know the subject -- how they work, move, etc. It requires research as well as observation. It's not for everyone, but I've found it fascinating and fun! (And I've learned more about dung beetles than I ever thought I would...)

Sounds like you're going in the right direction. Reaching out to other scientific illustrators will probably give you WAY more information and insight than you'll get here. (Even though we're pretty awesome! )

lpetiti

@Melissa_Bailey thank you! I think I searched IG for "Scientific Illustration" but didn't think to search a hastag I've been throw Mesa's website and she's crazy good! Haven't heard of the other one though I'll check her out.

willicreate

@lpetiti Back in the 90's there used to be youth-oriented fun fact science books. The pages were covered with all sorts of illustrations relating to life science. I'm not sure if publishers still produce these kinds of books, but worth checking out Barnes and Nobles. I imagine they would pay the same rate as producing art for a text book.

On YouTube there are several science-oriented channels dedicated to animals. Some streamers who present their channel as a legitimate business have proclaimed to license work. PBS has been testing out online-oriented productions. I would think PBS’ Eons (https://www.youtube.com/c/eons/videos) and Storied (https://www.youtube.com/c/pbsstoried/videos) licenses art. Maybe you can cold call some of the more professional science-oriented streamers.

lpetiti

@willicreate Oh my gosh as a 90s kid I remember those! That's a throwback.

And thank you! I appreciate the advice you and others are giving me. It's pretty life-giving right now. I've been shy about seriously pursing this but all of these conversations are encouraging.

Kristen Lango

@lpetiti I'm no expert in this but I think a good thing to ask yourself is if you want to get into the infographic space or not... That's a very viable path where you can tackle a lot of subjects and tailor a portfolio to infographics ranging from science to law to food and culture or a whole host of other topics.

Here are some portfolio's on Behance for infographic inspiration:
Boudewijn van Diepen
Eleanor Lutz
Federica Fragapane

Hope this helps!

lpetiti

@Kristen-Lango It's funny I just read your comment. I'm relistening to Mesa's episode of the podcast and she literally just started talking about infographics

Kristen Lango

@lpetiti haha that is funny! Infographics are so cool! I wish I liked creating them haha they are always in demand

Blitz55

Not related to a portfolio really, but I wanted to find more inspiration for you so I asked an online friend who does some of this kind of work if he knew any artists that someone looking into that field could look at. They're going to get back to me with a few more names but this was one of them.

Instagram: Gabriel U Illustration
He has some good info on the page under the "My Process" section if your interested.

lpetiti

@Blitz55 Oh wow, thank you so much!

PenAndrew

@lpetiti I think if you have not already done you should look through Mesa Schumacher's site and see what stuff you like the best and work in those areas. She has hundreds of examples of her work!

lpetiti

@PenAndrew actually I just got into contact with her today. After I started reading everyone’s comments I reached out to ask her advice on starting out. She was kind enough to respond and answer some questions!

PenAndrew

@lpetiti Great that you took the initiative, people are often willing to help. I think Scientific Illustration is a broad subject so I would suggest focusing on what subject you love.

lpetiti

Not only have I heard back from Mesa, I also got some info from the Rhode Island school of design outlining everything. That's when I started second guessing myself, even though all of this feels like a right path to explore right now.

One thing that I'm curious about is certificates vs. degrees. Has anyone had any experience with jobs preferring one to another?

Melissa_Bailey

@lpetiti so glad you're exploring this avenue! Weighing all options before jumping in is super smart.

In my experience (and this is just a small drop in the ocean of experience out there), clients are more concerned about your ability than any certificates/degrees you may have.