What does a Medical Illustrator do?

A medical illustrator is an artist who specializes in producing images which are related to the medical field. These images may be used in instructional materials, informational handouts, advertisements, research publications, and a variety of other settings. Employment prospects in this field are quite excellent for people who are willing to pursue certification, are there are limited numbers of fully qualified medical illustrators, and there is a constant need for medical illustration.

Humans have been creating medical illustrations for thousands of years, as numerous works of art and historic medical texts indicate. Illustrations were used to document specific medical issues as well as generic topics like anatomy so that people had a graphic representation of topics discussed in texts, and they were also historically utilized for documentation of unusual medical cases. Over time, the field of medicine has expanded radically, as have the potential applications for medical illustration.

In order to become a medical illustrator, someone trains as an artist and also receives training in the biological sciences. Human anatomy and physiology are typically part of a medical illustrator's education, and he or she may choose to focus on a particular area of interest, such as nursing, surgery, and so forth, to acquire additional skills. Many professional illustrators also belong to professional organizations of medical illustrators, some of which offer certification and job referrals.

This type of work requires artistic skills, along with an eye for detail and the ability to precisely follow instructions. Medical illustrators may also need to be comfortable with working in settings such as operating rooms and morgues.

In addition to creating traditional drawings, a medical illustrator can also produce images digitally, and he or she can work with medical models, educational films, and so forth. He or she wants to communicate medical information in a way which is clear, accessible, and relevant, whether that information is an illustration of a new surgical technique in a trade journal, or a poster used to promote childhood vaccinations to new parents.

In many cases, a medical illustrator works as a freelance professional, accepting jobs from a variety of people including service organizations, doctors, medical schools, hospitals, and so forth. Other illustrators may work in the employ of a hospital, laboratory, or publishing house, producing images on demand for various projects. For example, a medical illustrator who works for a pharmaceutical company might produce illustrations used in drug information pamphlets, along with illustrations for promotional materials, publications in medical journals, and so forth.