Medical Illustration: Fields of Work


BOOK: PROFESSIONAL/MEDICAL TRADE


Illustrations used in surgical, anatomic or pathologic textbooks or atlases intended for a physician or health provider audience. Small/simple, medium, and large/complex may refer to image size, information complexity, or rendering style (line, tone, color).

BOOK: CONSUMER


Illustrations used in health reference, anatomic, or medical guides intended for a general public audience. Small/simple, medium, and large/complex may refer to image size, information complexity, or rendering style (line, tone, color).

EDITORIAL: CONSUMER PUBLICATION


Illustrations used in health, fitness, science, or nature magazines / newspapers intended for a general public audience. These publications typically have large circulations, e.g., Discover Magazine, National Geographic, or Scientific American. Typically, an art director or editor commissions the illustration.

EDITORIAL: PROFESSIONAL TRADE PUBLICATION


Illustrations used in medical or science journals or magazines intended for a physician or health provider audience. These publications typically have smaller circulations than consumer magazines, e.g., US Pharmacist, Contemporary Urology, or AFP Magazine. Typically, an art director or editor commissions the illustration.

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATION


Illustrations used in scholarly peer-reviewed medical or scientific journals intended for a physician or health provider audience. These publications typically have smaller circulations than consumer magazines, e.g., Science, Journal of Urology, or Nature. Typically the author commissions the illustration, which is submitted with the text and accepted for publication after successful peer-review. Sometimes the journal editor commissions the illustration for accepted articles. Small/simple, medium, and large/complex may refer to image size, complexity, or rendering style (line, tone, color).

ADVERTISING: PRINT, TO THE TRADE


Illustrations used to promote a drug, medical device, or medical service in a printed advertising campaign and related marketing collateral materials. Illustrations may appear in Magazine ads, Direct mail, Posters, Trade show exhibits, Patient education, CME presentations, Sales training aids, Package inserts / Directions for use, Website / CD.

ADVERTISING: PRINT, DIRECT TO CONSUMER (DTC)


Illustrations used to promote a drug, medical device, or medical services directly to the consumer/general public.

MEDICAL LEGAL


Illustrations used as demonstrative evidence to support expert testimony in medical malpractice, personal injury, and product liability litigation. Small/simple, medium, and large/complex may refer to image size or information complexity. Exhibits may be printed boards, powerpoint, timelines, animation, and interactive modules.

2D COMPUTER ANIMATION


Illustrations (bitmap or vector) used in sequence to create the illusion of motion by tweening, morphing, etc. with computer software (e.g., Flash, Toon Boom, After Effects). Include storyboarding, art creation, sound design, editing and voice over artist in the fee.

3D COMPUTER MODELING


Dimensional objects created with geometric data (NURBS, polygonal, volumetric) using computer software (e.g., StudioMax, Cinema 4D, ZBrush, Mud Box, Maya, SoftImage) for use in animation or rendered as a 2D still image. Modeling for creation of still images may include the processes of surface texturing, lighting, and scene creation. Simple, medium, and complex may refer to level of surface detail, complexity of texturing, or number of lights or scenes.

3D COMPUTER ANIMATION


Creation of motion by manipulation of 3D models within scenes using computer software (e.g., Maya, Lightwave, SoftImage) and finished to a final movie with or without audio. Include storyboarding, model creation, sound design, editing and voice over artist in the fee.

MULTIMEDIA & INTERACTIVE DESIGN


Creating content that integrates different media, and if interactive, affords the user significant control over their experience of the program. Processes may include design, storyboarding, prototyping, authoring, interface design, usability testing, media integration, and implementation (CD-ROM, DVD, Website, mobile devices, kiosks). Simple, medium, and complex may refer to the number of pages, complexity of information or models, degree of project or team management responsibility, or use of backend programming or databases.

ACADEMIC


Illustrations used in academic lectures, poster presentations, journals, class material, or websites intended for teaching purposes. Typically the client is an individual physician, nurse, researcher, or administrator. Small/simple, medium, and large/complex may refer to image size, information complexity, or rendering style (line, tone, color).

CORPORATE


Illustrations used in annual reports, brochures and other company literature. Small/simple, medium, and large/complex may refer to image size, information complexity, or rendering style (line, tone, color).

MEDICAL SCULPTURE


Creating three-dimensional models using a variety of traditional sculpture techniques (mold making, vacuum forming, lost-wax, and casting) or computer techniques (3-D CAD, rapid-prototyping, laser foam carving). Final models may be made of plastic, stone, wood, fiberglass, bronze or metal.