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Learn About ItWhat is science illustration?Science illustration is much more than pictures in a textbook. It encompasses all forms of visual science communication, including animation, comics, murals, sculpture and even jewelry. It can play a vital role in conveying information from any realm of science, from archaeology to astronomy, botany to cartography, zoology to molecular biology, and many others. Who is it for?Some illustrations are made for a very specific audience. A botanist, for example, may use an illustrated field guide to distinguish between closely related plant species in the field. A surgeon may use medical illustrations to navigate a tricky operation. Accuracy and the ability to communicate key details are essential in such illustrations. They can even be a matter of survival! The military uses decks of illustrated cards to depict poisonous plants and animals for personnel lost in tropical environments, for example. What skills do science illustrators need?Careful observation and the ability to learn new scientific concepts are key to all forms of scientific illustration. The process can take many steps, including reading scientific studies, talking to professional scientists, sketching, and revising. Examples of Scientific Illustration in Action!Check out the work of contemporary Visual Science Communicators and see what the field is all about in our Gallery of Visual Science Communication in Action. > FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS> ADDITIONAL READINGS:
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