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Lamar Dodd School Of Art: Scientific Illustration Class Student and Techer Group

Art, Area of Emphasis in Scientific Illustration - B.F.A.

About this Degree

The fields of biological and medical illustration, collectively known as Scientific Illustration, use artwork as visual tools of communication solely for the service of education.

The production of illustrations of measured accuracy, conceptualized illustrations and diagrammatic illustrations are created to enable communication between scientist and author, teacher and student, or physician and patient. An artist must, therefore, be aware of the viewer's level of knowledge and relate the message in a logical sequence without confusing the viewer with too much or too little information. Because they communicate subtleties and eliminate ambiguities of language, scientific illustrations are an important, often necessary, element in precise communication in scientific education.

What you will learn

starling_620_300auto_c1_0.jpgStudents should have an interest in the fields of Science and Art and have the desire to learn how to communicate multiple subjects, theories, and procedures in the many areas of science. Students should be able to work well with others, maintain a professional relationship and have the self-discipline to work long hours, under short deadlines, while accepting direction and criticism from instructors, art directors or clients. Students should have a strong eye for observation and communication. They must have a desire to learn from research and verbal communication for a complete and thorough understanding of scientific content. Students in this field should have the ability to illustrate, in fine detail, exactly what they see, and to work within the guidelines specified by the objective as stated by the client.

Art majors enter the profession to pursue both fine art practice and applied art in business as well as in education and graduate study. Students are prepared for work in technical as well as creative areas of art and design. Each specialization offers a variety of employment opportunities in areas ranging from mass communications to the service industries.

  • Account Executive
  • Advertising Artist
  • Appraiser
  • Architectural Model Maker Archivist
  • Antiques Dealer Art Administrator
  • Art and Design Professor
  • Art Buyer
  • Art Consultant
  • Art Critic
  • Art Dealer
  • Art Director
  • Art Historian
  • Art Restorer
  • Art Teacher
  • Art Therapist
  • Artist's Agent
  • Assistant Curator
  • Calligrapher
  • Cartoonist
  • Ceramic Artist
  • Color Expert
  • Costume and Mask Designer
  • Creative Services Manager
  • Exhibition Coordinator
  • Fashion Artist/Designer
  • Foundry Artist
  • Furniture Designer
  • Gallery Owner
  • Glass Blower
  • Illustrator
  • Interior Designer
  • Jewelry Designer
  • Kitchenware Designer
  • Label Designer
  • Layout Artist
  • Mannequin Decorator
  • Mechanical &Production Artist
  • Motion Picture Animator
  • Muralist
  • Paper Maker
  • Photographer
  • Photojournalist
  • Printing Designer
  • Product Designer/Illustrator
  • Quick Sketch Artist
  • Set Designer/Illustrator
  • Sculptor
  • Stained Glass Artist
  • Stone Carver
  • Toy Designer
  • Web Designer

Positions available for a natural science or medical illustrator may range from working alone to being a member of a large production unit. There is potential for employment in universities or medical schools with science departments having especially strong teaching and research programs, scientific and medical research centers, hospitals, clinics, dental and veterinary schools and museums of scientific history and learning such as the Smithsonian Institution. Many illustrators pursue 'self contract' commercial markets, creating illustrations for publishing, pharmaceutical and advertising agencies or clients such as physicians and attorneys or others who have a need of visual aids for science and medical education.

Recent Employers

  • Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  • Athens Magazine
  • Awaken the Arts!
  • BBDO Atlanta
  • Booth Western Art Museum
  • burton + Burton
  • Creative Marketing and Associates
  • FanDriveMedia
  • Hatch Snow Print
  • High Hirsch Bedner Associates
  • Mohawk Home
  • Morris Museum of Art
  • NCI
  • NKP Media
  • Pier 59 Studios
  • Renewal Design Build
  • Roswell Visual Arts Center
  • Southeastern Louisiana University
  • Starz Entertainment
  • Teach for America
  • Thrasher Photography & Design
  • WonderRoot
  • Young Athenians
  • ZoomWorks
General Research Information:

Please provide a general description of your research. 

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