Jennifer from Experience Life requested a spread and accompanying spot images for a feature on the microbiome - how the gut influences respiratory health, mood and hormonal balance.
Here is the finished spread and initial line drawing. Although the image was liked it was felt that perhaps a little too much licence had been taken with the rendition of the intestine. This was tightened up at artwork stage and elements carefully placed so nothing was lost in the gutter.
Christina from Northwestern Magazine got in touch with an assignment looking at a group of biomedical engineers who have developed a first-of-its-kind strategy that prevents cancer cells from evolving to resist therapies. Their approach nearly wiped out cancer in lab-grown cells and doubled chemotherapy’s effectiveness in a mouse model of ovarian cancer.
To accompany the article an illustration crossing the spread of the Discovery section was required. I came up with three possible interpretations, as shown here, the first of which was given the go-ahead.
This is an illustration made for Case Western Reserve University. A wraparound cover image for Think magazine. The story revolves around Anirban Sen Gupta’s quest to develop synthetic, life-saving blood. A project he has been working on for years, securing grants, including a $2.75m award this year from the U.S. Department of Defense. He’s also a key member of a University of Maryland team that recently was awarded a $46.4 million federal grant to develop a freeze-dried blood substitute that, if successful, has the potential to save thousands of wounded soldiers’ lives - and civilian lives, as well.
Above, the finished illustration.
The printed version, Fall/Winter 2024 issue.
This was a challenging job in a number of respects. A lot of content was required and mostly of a very technical nature. This involved liaising with Sen Gupta who supplied various references to the cellular structures and nanoparticles involved in the project. With so many elements to be included I was keen to avoid a multi-coloured look so settled on a limited palette which suggested both medicine and the future of biological development.
Above are the original concept drawings. Instead of focussing on creation, as in the first two drawings, it was decided instead to feature Sen Gupta himself, the project leader. Bottom right is the approved concept sketch.
For accuracy, photos were taken of Sen Gupta. My objective was to simplify his features while still maintaining a good likeness. Above are some of the process stages.
Jennifer at Experience Life magazine got in touch with a feature on the critical role of nitrates in helping the body make nitric oxide, a beneficial gas the body produces, essential to maintaining good health. A lead image and five spots were required for the article.
Above is the finished illustration along with two preliminary visuals which were made to establish the layout and tone of the image.
Above is the published spread from the November/December 2024 issue.
Two of the other spot images included in the feature.
This is the colour palette I was sent for inspiration. I used this as a guide when rendering the completed drawings.
Tammy from Consumer Reports got in touch and had a piece about self-care strategies for treating headaches/migraines. Something quite straightforward was required, depicting the problem and the three solutions for treatment i.e medicines, dietary changes and exercise.
Above is the printed page and a few initial sketches showing how the migraine could be depicted.
