Scientific Illustrator

orangebird

Hello all,

Anyone here did or is currently on a Scientific Illustrator course in America and elsewhere...?
if yes, was it worth it? and can you use this qualification in Ireland /Europe because I couldnt find the course here.

Thanks,

by the way boards.ie is fab!

ztoical

The Royal College of Art in London ran a scientific illustration course for years but have canceled it.

John Norris Wood, the former tutor on the now defunct course gave an interview to an illustration magazine. Here is what he has to say:


The problem is there aren't many jobs out there for scientific illustrators and this was one of the arguments against the course, which closed after running for 30 years. This means that natural history illustrators need to be even more dedicated than other illustrators. And it's still needed. Photography can do marvellous things, not not the same as illustration. Scientific accuracy doesn't necessarily mean a lack of creativity. It's like the creativity of scientists- you are studying what's there, but you're also revealing it.

They key things natural history illustrators need are an enquiring mind, a keen eye and an obsession with their main field of study. This obsession is vital because it means they delve more deeply and find out important aspects of these creatures. An illustrator who doesn't have this passion will never see these things.

I'm sure that the people with the passion for it will still do it, but without formal courses they will suffer because it's so important to discuss ideas with other students and gain feedback and inspiration from specialist teachers. This is a terrible shame because books that mix photography with illustrations benefit from offering different angles. Without illustration they lack something vitally important.

subedei

Well this doesnt exactly meet ur question but I did hear an interview of late with an American Medical illustrator:

http://illustrationparty.blogspot.com/2009/08/episode-28-nut-party.html

You can download it here:

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp;jsessionid=E637C5B9203298C9157523B010CB9ABB.prod71_3?masterId=29562&pageNumber=1&pageSize=15

Best of luck

orangebird

Thanks you both! Great info.
I am just looking around for ideas...because I dont know what to do after my degree.

anyone on the same boat??