About Medical Illustration

Medical Illustration is a synergistic combination of visual arts, health sciences, supporting and enhancing education and communications. Medical illustration took root during the Renaissance and was demonstrated through the works of research anatomists and educators, such as Andreas Vesalius, and in the artwork of great figurative artists like Leonardo DaVinci. Today, medical illustration - and biomedical communication in general - is essential for the growth and effectiveness of the healthcare system in the United States.

Medical Illustration is an International Field

Students from around the world have come to AU to take part in our program. While most of our graduates live and work in North America, several have begun work in other countries, including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. The largest professional organization for Medical Illustration, the Association of Medical Illustrators, has international membership:

• European Union: Association Européenne des Illustrateurs Médicaux et Scientifiques
• United Kingdom: Medical Artists’ Association of Great Britain
• Australia: Australian Institute of Medical and Biological Illustration

 

Medical Illustrators are “Artist-Scientists.”

Medical Illustrators are specially trained artists who can communicate complex medical and scientific concepts, in a meaningful and aesthetically pleasing way to make information more understandable. This fascinating and unique profession requires a talent for art and an affinity for science.

Contemporary medical illustrators provide creative visualization services for the healthcare industry:

• They can illustrate innovative surgical procedures for medical journals
• Design multimedia websites
• Produce 3D animated films
• Create interactive educational modules
• Handcraft prosthetic appliances for patients

 

Medical Illustrators are Unique Visual Storytellers

Successful medical illustrators embody many of the following characteristics:

• A curiosity and passion for understanding the human body and how it works in health and sickness.
• An ability to visualize objects and realistically render them, often without the benefit of any physical references (i.e., drawing from the imagination).
• A desire for accuracy in the artwork and animations they create.
• An affinity for, and natural curiosity about, science.
• An ability to listen carefully, a need to understand fully, and the drive to seek answers to remaining questions.
• A strong ability to communicate and explain through the written word and with visuals.
• A desire to continue learning throughout their lifetime.
• An ability to learn and adopt new tools and technologies.
• Self-confidence, strong self-esteem, and the ability to receive criticism and feedback while keeping a cool head.
• Self-motivation and ambition to be an outstanding visual storyteller in the health sciences.
• Common sense and practicality.
• A desire to help others through the illustrations, animations, or models they create.

 

Medical Illustrators Work in a Variety of Venues

Wherever you need to tell clear visual stories about complex health science, you can find a medical illustrator. They can work in single-artist studios or large production departments. A few of the many arenas where medical artists might work:

• Medical, osteopathic, dental, and veterinary schools
• Hospitals and specialty medical centers
• Health science research institutes
• Government agencies and departments of health
• Publishing houses
• Pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology companies
• Advertising and marketing agencies
• Law firms and legal exhibit companies