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How to become a Scientific Illustrator?
Does a career for scientific illustration or animation exist? If so, what is the demand outlook for this career and process to become a professional in this field?
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Yes Hello Haley!
ME:
Oh yes we need that very badly. I have been studying science since 1966 and a few people have really influenced me and my career path. Early on the first person to influence me profoundly was professor Julius Sumner Miller. All it takes is a 9 year old boy to be home from school sick watching television. Professor Miller would often do physics experiments involving electrical apparatus and I took that up in 1967 making an electromagnet for the class and demonstrating it working.
An illustration does not leave as much unknown, due to flights of the imagination, as text can.
AI:
Becoming a Scientific Illustrator: Career Overview and Demand Outlook
Introduction to Scientific Illustration
Scientific illustration is a specialized field that combines art and science to communicate complex scientific concepts visually. Also known as medical or biological illustration, scientific illustrators create accurate, detailed, and engaging images for various mediums, such as textbooks, research papers, exhibits, and digital media.
Career Existence and Demand Outlook
Yes, a career in scientific illustration or animation does exist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for multimedia artists and animators, which includes scientific illustrators, is projected to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029.
This growth rate is slower than the average for all occupations; however, strong competition for job opportunities should persist due to the high number of applicants with bachelor’s degrees in art or design.
The demand for scientific illustrators is primarily driven by sectors such as education, healthcare, publishing, research institutions, and museums. As technology advances and digital content becomes increasingly prevalent in these industries, opportunities for scientific animators and digital illustrators may rise.
Steps to Become a Professional Scientific Illustrator
To become a professional scientific illustrator, follow these steps:
Education: Earning a bachelor’s degree in scientific illustration or a related field like fine arts or biology is essential
Some universities offer specialized programs in scientific illustration or medical animation. Degree programs typically include courses in drawing, painting, graphic design, computer graphics, biology, and anatomy. Relevant institutions include:
California State University Monterey Bay - BS in Science Illustration (one of the few undergraduate programs)
University of Georgia - Certificate in Medical Illustration (postbaccalaureate)
Johns Hopkins University - MS in Science Illustration (postbaccalaureate)
Portfolio Development: A strong portfolio showcasing your artistic skills and understanding of science is crucial to attract potential clients and employers 3. Regularly update your portfolio with new work reflecting your improvement and expertise in the field. Consider including projects from coursework or freelance assignments that demonstrate your ability to visualize complex scientific concepts accurately and engagingly.
Internship: Participating in internships during or after your education can provide valuable experience working with professionals in the field 3. Many universities have established relationships with organizations offering internships specifically for students majoring in scientific illustration or related fields; these opportunities can enhance your skills and help you build industry connections before entering the job market full time.
Professional Membership: Joining professional organizations like the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI), Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI), or
International Medical Illustrators Association (IMIA) can expand your network within the industry
Professional membership often comes with access to exclusive resources like job listings, conferences, workshops, webinars, and networking events—all beneficial for advancing your career as a scientific illustrator or animator 4 5 6 .
Continuing Education: Stay updated on advances in technology and techniques relevant to scientific illustration by attending workshops or conferences led by industry professionals 3.
Continuing education can help you refine your skills while staying competitive within the industry—especially as new technologies like virtual reality emerge as potential mediums for scientific visualization.
Authoritative References Used:
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Multimedia Artists and Animators
Cal State Monterey Bay: BS in Science Illustration
National Association of Medical Transcriptionists & Assistants: Career Guide
Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
Association of Medical Illustrators
International Medical Illustrators Association
God Bless!
JC.
ME:
Oh yes we need that very badly. I have been studying science since 1966 and a few people have really influenced me and my career path. Early on the first person to influence me profoundly was professor Julius Sumner Miller. All it takes is a 9 year old boy to be home from school sick watching television. Professor Miller would often do physics experiments involving electrical apparatus and I took that up in 1967 making an electromagnet for the class and demonstrating it working.
An illustration does not leave as much unknown, due to flights of the imagination, as text can.
AI:
Becoming a Scientific Illustrator: Career Overview and Demand Outlook
Introduction to Scientific Illustration
Scientific illustration is a specialized field that combines art and science to communicate complex scientific concepts visually. Also known as medical or biological illustration, scientific illustrators create accurate, detailed, and engaging images for various mediums, such as textbooks, research papers, exhibits, and digital media.
Career Existence and Demand Outlook
Yes, a career in scientific illustration or animation does exist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for multimedia artists and animators, which includes scientific illustrators, is projected to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029.
This growth rate is slower than the average for all occupations; however, strong competition for job opportunities should persist due to the high number of applicants with bachelor’s degrees in art or design.
The demand for scientific illustrators is primarily driven by sectors such as education, healthcare, publishing, research institutions, and museums. As technology advances and digital content becomes increasingly prevalent in these industries, opportunities for scientific animators and digital illustrators may rise.
Steps to Become a Professional Scientific Illustrator
To become a professional scientific illustrator, follow these steps:
Education: Earning a bachelor’s degree in scientific illustration or a related field like fine arts or biology is essential
Some universities offer specialized programs in scientific illustration or medical animation. Degree programs typically include courses in drawing, painting, graphic design, computer graphics, biology, and anatomy. Relevant institutions include:
California State University Monterey Bay - BS in Science Illustration (one of the few undergraduate programs)
University of Georgia - Certificate in Medical Illustration (postbaccalaureate)
Johns Hopkins University - MS in Science Illustration (postbaccalaureate)
Portfolio Development: A strong portfolio showcasing your artistic skills and understanding of science is crucial to attract potential clients and employers 3. Regularly update your portfolio with new work reflecting your improvement and expertise in the field. Consider including projects from coursework or freelance assignments that demonstrate your ability to visualize complex scientific concepts accurately and engagingly.
Internship: Participating in internships during or after your education can provide valuable experience working with professionals in the field 3. Many universities have established relationships with organizations offering internships specifically for students majoring in scientific illustration or related fields; these opportunities can enhance your skills and help you build industry connections before entering the job market full time.
Professional Membership: Joining professional organizations like the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI), Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI), or
International Medical Illustrators Association (IMIA) can expand your network within the industry
Professional membership often comes with access to exclusive resources like job listings, conferences, workshops, webinars, and networking events—all beneficial for advancing your career as a scientific illustrator or animator 4 5 6 .
Continuing Education: Stay updated on advances in technology and techniques relevant to scientific illustration by attending workshops or conferences led by industry professionals 3.
Continuing education can help you refine your skills while staying competitive within the industry—especially as new technologies like virtual reality emerge as potential mediums for scientific visualization.
Authoritative References Used:
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Multimedia Artists and Animators
Cal State Monterey Bay: BS in Science Illustration
National Association of Medical Transcriptionists & Assistants: Career Guide
Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
Association of Medical Illustrators
International Medical Illustrators Association
God Bless!
JC.
Updated
Akinade’s Answer
Yes, there is a career path for scientific illustration and animation. The demand for medical illustrators and animators is good due to the highly specialized nature of the work and the limited number of professionals in that field.
To become a professional scientific illustrator or animator, you typically need:
1. A bachelor's degree in scientific illustration, biology, or a related science field.
2. Excellent skills in art, science, communication, and media technology
3. A master's degree from an accredited graduate program in medical illustration, which provides training in both medical science and art
The demand ;
The employment outlook is positive, with demand expected to increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic visuals in media, and as emerging technologies like mobile devices and health gaming require specialized digital illustrations and animation.
The demand outlook for careers in scientific illustration and animation is generally positive, though growth is expected to be modest.
The employment of scientific illustrators is projected to grow 6% from 2018 to 2028, which is about average growth
Overall, while the growth in this field is not explosive, the demand for skilled scientific illustrators and animators remains steady, especially in specialized areas like medical illustration. The combination of artistic and scientific expertise makes this a rewarding career path for those with the right skills and training.
Board certification from the Board of Certification of Medical Illustrators, which involves passing written exams and a portfolio review
To become a professional scientific illustrator or animator, you typically need:
1. A bachelor's degree in scientific illustration, biology, or a related science field.
2. Excellent skills in art, science, communication, and media technology
3. A master's degree from an accredited graduate program in medical illustration, which provides training in both medical science and art
The demand ;
The employment outlook is positive, with demand expected to increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic visuals in media, and as emerging technologies like mobile devices and health gaming require specialized digital illustrations and animation.
The demand outlook for careers in scientific illustration and animation is generally positive, though growth is expected to be modest.
The employment of scientific illustrators is projected to grow 6% from 2018 to 2028, which is about average growth
Overall, while the growth in this field is not explosive, the demand for skilled scientific illustrators and animators remains steady, especially in specialized areas like medical illustration. The combination of artistic and scientific expertise makes this a rewarding career path for those with the right skills and training.
Akinade recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Joshua’s Answer
Hi Haley,
Great question. I'll assume that you are fascinated — and not squeamish — about the human body, and potentially aliments, diseases, mutations, or abnormalities — you may be called upon in your career to help document those (depending on what kind of illustrator you are).
TL;DR: Yes it exists. [I've always heard] There's a great demand for professionals who blend both science and artistic ability. The process to get any job is to network.
MY ADVISE:
DRAW! Draw as much as you can. Drawing /sketching is the foundation of everything else that you'll need to do. Understanding how to "craft and design" through shape, form, line-work, and color will be major skills. Take a figure drawing class if you have not already. Usually there's figure drawing classes hosted within your area; a simple google search for "Figure drawing class (in my area)" should reveal them and the venues that host them.
Take everyone else's advice from this thread.
1. YES, there is demand.
2. You will need artistic skill (but that just comes from repetition and observation).
3. You'll need some scientific knowledge of the human body. You'll get some of this just through your practice of figure drawing, but for the actual scientific basis, take biology, anatomy or other similar science-based courses (chemistry, even).
You won't need to be the "best" artist or anything. "Infographics" are simplistic illustrations that help people understand complex subjects.
(For more help with art or animation, Google search a Discord group that talks about, or meets to practice the subject. There are also loads of Youtube videos available to help with art; "Proko" is a pretty popular channel).
LEARN ADDITIONAL TOOLS:
Photoshop, Illustrator, Opentoonz (free animation software), Canva...
These are just software and tools, same as if you were to chisel your art on stone tablet, or carve it out of wood. It's your artistic foundation that will allow you to excel using any tool — Bob Ross always said, he could paint an entire painting using a butter knife if he need to.
ANIMATION:
Animation is just re-drawing, or spending extra time moving an illustration "over time:" at 1 second it's on the left, at 4 seconds it's traveled to the right, and those 3 seconds in between is how long it takes to get there.
TO GET A JOB:
NETWORKING (which literally just means calling, or chatting with someone who works AT a place where you want to work, or DOES the type of work you want to do).
(Depending on what content you want to illustrate) I would contact a mortuary school or perhaps a museum, and ask if they are hiring for the position of a scientific illustrator, or ask to speak to someone who could tell you more about the field — why not get the info straight from the "tap"?
If you want to lean more toward "infographics," search for a science lab in the area. Call and asked if they have any positions like that available.
And here's my personal advise: don't be stingy about sharing your skills. I know that in the beginning — before you're a working professional in the field, — things seem perilous; it feels like "if you don't get your foot-in-the-door and start charging for your work immediately, then you'll end up a starving artist out on the streets" — Not true. Go ahead and work with others, and get involved in projects that might help you build your skills (even if for free). Add everything you make to your resumé. And ALWAYS list your years of experience with a tool/program starting from the moment you first held it, or opened the program — even if you didn't touch it for years after that, or don't excel at it, your passion and interest was enough to keep you thinking about it, and coming back to it; and sometimes that's enough.
Good luck. You ARE good enough and have what it takes. You've got this 👍
Great question. I'll assume that you are fascinated — and not squeamish — about the human body, and potentially aliments, diseases, mutations, or abnormalities — you may be called upon in your career to help document those (depending on what kind of illustrator you are).
TL;DR: Yes it exists. [I've always heard] There's a great demand for professionals who blend both science and artistic ability. The process to get any job is to network.
MY ADVISE:
DRAW! Draw as much as you can. Drawing /sketching is the foundation of everything else that you'll need to do. Understanding how to "craft and design" through shape, form, line-work, and color will be major skills. Take a figure drawing class if you have not already. Usually there's figure drawing classes hosted within your area; a simple google search for "Figure drawing class (in my area)" should reveal them and the venues that host them.
Take everyone else's advice from this thread.
1. YES, there is demand.
2. You will need artistic skill (but that just comes from repetition and observation).
3. You'll need some scientific knowledge of the human body. You'll get some of this just through your practice of figure drawing, but for the actual scientific basis, take biology, anatomy or other similar science-based courses (chemistry, even).
You won't need to be the "best" artist or anything. "Infographics" are simplistic illustrations that help people understand complex subjects.
(For more help with art or animation, Google search a Discord group that talks about, or meets to practice the subject. There are also loads of Youtube videos available to help with art; "Proko" is a pretty popular channel).
LEARN ADDITIONAL TOOLS:
Photoshop, Illustrator, Opentoonz (free animation software), Canva...
These are just software and tools, same as if you were to chisel your art on stone tablet, or carve it out of wood. It's your artistic foundation that will allow you to excel using any tool — Bob Ross always said, he could paint an entire painting using a butter knife if he need to.
ANIMATION:
Animation is just re-drawing, or spending extra time moving an illustration "over time:" at 1 second it's on the left, at 4 seconds it's traveled to the right, and those 3 seconds in between is how long it takes to get there.
TO GET A JOB:
NETWORKING (which literally just means calling, or chatting with someone who works AT a place where you want to work, or DOES the type of work you want to do).
(Depending on what content you want to illustrate) I would contact a mortuary school or perhaps a museum, and ask if they are hiring for the position of a scientific illustrator, or ask to speak to someone who could tell you more about the field — why not get the info straight from the "tap"?
If you want to lean more toward "infographics," search for a science lab in the area. Call and asked if they have any positions like that available.
And here's my personal advise: don't be stingy about sharing your skills. I know that in the beginning — before you're a working professional in the field, — things seem perilous; it feels like "if you don't get your foot-in-the-door and start charging for your work immediately, then you'll end up a starving artist out on the streets" — Not true. Go ahead and work with others, and get involved in projects that might help you build your skills (even if for free). Add everything you make to your resumé. And ALWAYS list your years of experience with a tool/program starting from the moment you first held it, or opened the program — even if you didn't touch it for years after that, or don't excel at it, your passion and interest was enough to keep you thinking about it, and coming back to it; and sometimes that's enough.
Good luck. You ARE good enough and have what it takes. You've got this 👍
Updated
Anika’s Answer
Hi Haley,
Scientific illustration and animation involve creating visual representations of scientific subjects, often for educational, research, or communication purposes. These professionals bridge the gap between science and art, helping to make complex information more accessible and engaging.
Scientific illustrators can work in a variety of settings, including universities, medical schools, hospitals, museums, publishing houses, and scientific research organizations. Many scientific illustrators work as freelancers, offering their services to a range of clients. With experience, scientific illustrators can advance to senior positions, lead projects, or even start their own studios.
Scientific illustration and animation involve creating visual representations of scientific subjects, often for educational, research, or communication purposes. These professionals bridge the gap between science and art, helping to make complex information more accessible and engaging.
Scientific illustrators can work in a variety of settings, including universities, medical schools, hospitals, museums, publishing houses, and scientific research organizations. Many scientific illustrators work as freelancers, offering their services to a range of clients. With experience, scientific illustrators can advance to senior positions, lead projects, or even start their own studios.