Fresh off the Beaten Path: Medical Illustration

Published on 2008-05-12

Are you highly skilled in the art of illustration? Interested in medicine? Most job sites don`t typically address such a unique combination of interests, so perhaps you haven`t even considered the possibility of pursuing both of these passions via a single career. Well, now's a great time to learn about a career in medical illustration.

Medical Illustration: What Exactly Is It?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor`s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "Medical illustrators work digitally or traditionally to create images of human anatomy and surgical procedures as well as 3-dimensional models and animations."

Personality Profile: Is Medical Illustration Right for Me?

Medical Illustrators (MI) are highly talented artists with a passion for medicine. Their interest in working with and acquiring detailed knowledge of human and animal anatomy, as well as surgical and medical procedures, renders them prime candidates for a variety of biology jobs. MIs must be extremely attentive to detail and skilled in communicating highly creative, yet realistic visual ideas. In addition to being talented in traditional drawing methods, MIs must also have the technological savvy to create renderings using digital techniques; possessing such skills, many aspiring MIs may also consider pursuing graphic design jobs or, for those attracted to a medical-dominated career path, an array of biotechnology jobs.

Education, Training and Experience: How Do I Become a Medical Illustrator?

Although there are always exceptions, most medical illustrators begin by developing their interests in high school art and biology classes, subsequently earning bachelor's degrees after extensive college coursework in the fine arts and sciences. In fact, many graduate with biology degrees befitting the likes of the most competitive candidates for medical jobs. According to the BLS, the majority of MIs also pursue master's degrees in medical illustration like those offered by the University of Texas, the Medical College of Georgia and Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.

Medical Illustration: Where Would I Work?

MIs typically work for universities and publishing, advertising, design or biotechnology firms. MIs may accept full-time staff positions, or (according to the BLS), like the 62% of artists who are self-employed, MIs may choose to work on a freelance basis for the aforementioned companies as well as television, film and animation projects.

Additionally, some MIs serve as consultants and illustrators on legal projects like court exhibits. As with most professions, internships are the best way for artists to begin developing their craft and body of work. Since the need for medical illustration spans an array of industries, opportunities are not limited to specific geographical areas, but of course, those states housing medical universities and firms demanding medical illustration services will certainly provide a plethora of options. Therefore, MIs browsing through Texas science jobs are likely to find viable options, and MIs combing postings for jobs in Georgia, California or Illinois should also find good prospects.

The Future for Medical Illustrators

The BLS reports that "employment for artists and related works is expected to grow 16% through 2016, faster than the average for all occupations." More importantly, "the small number of medical illustrators will also be in greater demand as medical research continues to grow." Additionally, given the growth of the Web and technology, MIs skilled in computer-assisted illustration are also in growing demand.

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