How to Become a Scientific Illustrator
Scientific illustrators combine knowledge of technical and scientific subjects with the skills of visual artists. Their diverse tasks include designing illustration layouts, three-dimensional exhibits, graphs and pictures for the Web. Scientific illustrators need control of a variety of media, including modern digital formats. Although some find work right after high school, scientific illustrators usually need college training. Real-world experience and a professional portfolio will also help scientific illustrators find employment.
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Instructions
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Take high school classes in both art and science. If you already know what area of science you wish to specialize in, for example biology, emphasize those classes. Take art classes that focus on realistic representation. Also take classes in drafting, computers and computer graphics.
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Complete an associate or bachelor's degree with a major in science or art. Not many colleges offer degrees in scientific illustration even at the bachelor's level, so you will probably have take electives to supplement your major and create an interdisciplinary program. Take classes in anatomy or morphology of plants and animals for example. For medical illustration, take human anatomy and other medical classes. Take practical art classes such as photography, drawing techniques and graphics in preference to art history.
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Prepare your portfolio while you complete your formal education. Prospective employers look at your completed work when deciding whether to hire you. College programs generally help art students create a portfolio as part of the regular course requirements. Put only your finest work in your portfolio, but include a variety styles and formats, including computer art.
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Get real-world experience through internships or by obtaining private clients. Some schools have internship programs that will give you the experience you need. If your school does not have a formal program, ask your professors for help in obtaining work. Find work illustrating the scientific writings of professors or graduate students on campus. Even photography or drafting jobs will give you helpful experience.
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Obtain optional training beyond the bachelor's degree. For example, complete a master's degree in scientific illustration. Some medical schools offer a specialty in medical illustration at the master's level. Alternately, sign up for workshops through organizations such as the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. Continue adding to your portfolio.
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Submit your application and portfolio to potential employers to find a job as a scientific illustrator. Apply with publishers, museums, university publishers, hospitals and government offices, for example. Put your electronic portfolio online at sites such as Science-Art.com, sponsored by the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators. Apply at the USAJobs website to find work with the federal government.
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Tips & Warnings
Find a list of graduate programs in medical illustration on the web page of The Association of Medical Illustrators. (See Resource 2.)
If you can't find a full-time job, you may have to find your own individual clients. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 60 percent of art-related workers work as independent contractors. (See Reference 3.)
References
Resources
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