Modern Medicine - The World of Medical Illustration

By Lindsay Coulter, BFA, CMI

Medical illustration is a multifaceted world from the anatomical to the cellular and sub-cellular level, visualizing and communicating complex medical topics. A medical illustrator is a professional artist with advanced education in both the life sciences and visual communication. They regularly collaborate with scientists, physicians, and other specialists, pharmaceutical companies, publishing companies, medical-legal companies, or other small studios specializing in several of these areas to transform complex information into visual images.

Most medical illustrators have a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in medical illustration along with an accredited board certification (CMI). A medical illustrator’s course of study includes a variety of medical and biological science courses, art, and instructional design courses as well as a variety of 2D and 3D computer applications. Medical illustrators are visual problem solvers. Before beginning work, they research by reading scientific papers, meeting with experts (e.g., scientists, physicians), observing surgeries, all of which are an integral part of the creative process.

ION Medical illustration of a gunshot wound

ION Medical illustration of COVID-19 disease

As with various fields of medicine, it is not uncommon for medical illustrators to specialize in both a field of study as well as media including animation, illustration, or interactive application development. The work of medical illustrators promotes education, legal presentation, jury education, patient education, research, marketing, and much more! Medical illustrators are of great benefit to physicians, attorneys, and other healthcare professionals by creating visuals that enhance their dialog. The field is rapidly changing due to discoveries in both science and technology.

Advanced computer graphics and imaging help artists understand cellular and sub-cellular processes. There are databases such as the protein database (PBD) that have cells and molecules available for download that artists will use to help them create. There are many websites and anatomical references for anatomy pieces. Some of my favorites are CDC.org, webmd.com, the Clemente, and Netter atlases.

Interpretation of radiology, language, and strategy are important for medical-legal cases. Attorneys appreciate case review and an outline of how that will enhance their cases as well as visualize injury. Plaintiff and defense attorneys are wildly different in strategy and rely on professionals to help them present their case.

ION Medical illustration of the anatomy of the ear

ION Medical illustration of the anatomy of the human hand

ION Medical illustration of the function of an artificial hip

About Me:

“I am a graduate of The Cleveland Institute of Art, medical classes taken at Case Western Reserve University with a BFA in medical illustration. I am an illustrator and owner of ION Medical Designs, a boutique medical illustration company. I have had the opportunity to work on high-profile and medically complex cases globally.”