Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #SciArt
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How to become a Scientific Illustrator? 🔬🎨🖌️
I receive this question almost every day. Below is some information and tips on how to become a scientific illustrator! Ask me any questions in the comments!
#illustration #sciart #career #phd #phdlife
I receive this question almost every day. Below is some information and tips on how to become a scientific illustrator! Ask me any questions in the comments!
#illustration #sciart #career #phd #phdlife
1) Develop your artistic skills: Scientific illustration is a highly specialized field, and it requires a high level of skill in illustration, drawing, and design. Take classes in art, drawing, and graphic design to develop your skills.
2) Learn about the scientific subject matter: Scientific illustrators need to have a deep understanding of the scientific concepts they are illustrating. Take courses in the sciences, such as biology, physics, or chemistry, to gain a solid foundation in the subject matter.
New cover image from Ella Maru Studio! In the tweets below I included description of the cover, sketch from authors and our first draft 🤠
"Peritumoural immunomodulatory scaffolds"
Article: nature.com/articles/s4155…
#sciart
"Peritumoural immunomodulatory scaffolds"
Article: nature.com/articles/s4155…
#sciart
The cover illustrates that a scaffold releasing specific small molecules and antibodies can suppress regulatory T cells and attract and stimulate effector T cells when implanted peritumourally in mice.
This is the sketch we received from authors
Interested in representation learning? Want to understand your time-series data? Want a method that outperforms tSNE and UMAP in terms of finding consistent latent factors in time-series data? Got your attention? 🔥#cebraAI 1/n
We’ve developed a new (patent pending) method called CEBRA for you. It’s a novel method for supervised contrastive learning with continuous and discrete labels that adapts the sampling process based on label information.
2/n
2/n
We show that contrastive learning outperforms generative model-based methods when it comes to consistency/identifying ground truth latents on real world datasets! 3/n
How do we show mutation? A #sciart thread…🧵
I’ve illustrated the #SARSCoV2 spike protein a lot over the last few years, including its mutations. In the process, I made many decisions about how to show mutations, and wanted to share my rationale. (1/12)
I’ve illustrated the #SARSCoV2 spike protein a lot over the last few years, including its mutations. In the process, I made many decisions about how to show mutations, and wanted to share my rationale. (1/12)
First, it’s important to review how we describe mutations - they’re identified in reference to an original, un-mutated reference sequence. (2/12)
So, for example, D614G means: “The amino acid at position 614 that was a D (aspartic acid) is now a G (glycine) in the mutated spike.”
D614del would mean: “The amino acid at position 614 that was a D is now missing in the mutated spike.” (3/12)
D614del would mean: “The amino acid at position 614 that was a D is now missing in the mutated spike.” (3/12)
🚨New pre-print!🚨
biorxiv.org/content/10.110…
Viruses are very small things with very big effects. During the #SARSCoV2 pandemic, tiny changes in molecular biology had huge impacts on people’s lives. How could we communicate about this clearly?
🦠#scicomm #sciart🦠
(1/9)
biorxiv.org/content/10.110…
Viruses are very small things with very big effects. During the #SARSCoV2 pandemic, tiny changes in molecular biology had huge impacts on people’s lives. How could we communicate about this clearly?
🦠#scicomm #sciart🦠
(1/9)
In a new study with @CVRinfo @GSofASimVis and @COGUK_ME, @sarahiannucci1 explains how she used animations and interactive visualisations to help explain the threat of #SARSCoV2 variants of concern (#VOCs; 2/9)
There were, of course, plenty of data out there, collected by groups like @COGUK_ME. But these sites were (quite reasonably) aimed at expert audiences.
Could the details of new SARS-CoV-2 variants be explained in a way that was accessible for the public? (3/9)
Could the details of new SARS-CoV-2 variants be explained in a way that was accessible for the public? (3/9)
So even though this tool is only searching a fraction of the artwork #StableDiffusion was trained on, and I'm small-time, I was still able to find it has my "Darwin Took Steps" painting in the database.
#AIart #artcred #sciart
#AIart #artcred #sciart
Interestingly, it's scraped from @redbubble.
I removed this painting from my RedBubble store a few years ago.
I removed this painting from my RedBubble store a few years ago.
I care a lot about artists getting their due, especially credit and consent. I've written a lot about copyright, sharing and effective image use, including at @sciam for 4 years. #sciart #AIart #artcred
symbiartic.com/home/scicomm-w…
symbiartic.com/home/scicomm-w…
Good morning followers, new and not-new! After the flux of newcomers this weekend, I thought I’d introduce a little bit more about me + my journey so far to becoming a scientific/data illustrator. Read within! ⬇️🧵🪞🔬👨🏻🎓 #bio #aboutme #art #artist #scientificillustration #sciart
My name's Mark and I am super passionate about telling science stories with the power of visual media🎨 I love illustration, I learn best with visuals, and I am constantly looking for (er, doodling?) ways to make pictures say MORE than just "a thousand words” 😉
I've always been drawn to art as a kid. Ever since I could hold a pencil, I've been creatively engaged. Growing up I was discouraged from pursuing art (who wasn't?) and so I gradually developed an interest in science. Natural History is my favourite subject. 🌐🪱🐒🦀🦩🍄🪸🪐✨
Making figures for publications is an often neglected stage - and in many situations we resolve to simplest figures made in PowerPoint etc. Aa a #science_designer I'm often commissioned to revamp such figures. Here's an example processes. #sciart #viz thread of 10
0) It's a figure I'm working on with other colleagues - the initial version (LEFT) was "OK" - it would do in terms of conveying messages (if accompanied with a proper label). MIDDLE = first iteration. RIGHT = close to finish. It still needs some work but:
1) Don't underestimate the power of small things, like e.g. white space - your content does not have to be crammed and squeezed as tightly as possible
Happy #WorldWetlandsDay! Wetlands are critical to the well-being of the planet. I've been lucky to have had many opportunities to share the stories of wetlands through interpretive signage and thought it might be fun to look back on a few. #sciart #scicomm 1/
I often find myself answering the question 'What good are wetlands?' Once considered wasteland by farmers and developers, we're finally understanding the important ecological services they provide. #WorldWetlandsDay #sciart #scicomm 2/
Wetlands are critical habitat for hundreds of bird species who nest and find food and cover among the waterlogged vegetation. #WorldWetlandsDay #sciart #scicomm 3/
And here we go...
PART TWO: Visualizing the Accumulation of Human-Made Mass ⚖️🏗️🛠️🧱🔩 (incl. 🧵) #anthropogenicmass #biomass #construction #mining #dataviz #infographics #sciart #datavisualization #visualjournalism #science #scicomm #scienceillustration #anthropocene
PART TWO: Visualizing the Accumulation of Human-Made Mass ⚖️🏗️🛠️🧱🔩 (incl. 🧵) #anthropogenicmass #biomass #construction #mining #dataviz #infographics #sciart #datavisualization #visualjournalism #science #scicomm #scienceillustration #anthropocene
Since 1900, we've been making a LOT of stuff...and it's been piling up. In 2020, the material output of humans on Earth SURPASSED the total (dry) weight of all living things on Earth!
One grim part to this story (there's many 😵💫) is that we've now produced double the weight of plastic than the entire Animal Kingdom.
A #sciart #scicomm thread on phenotypes of w1118 mutants. Today being 11-18 (American way of writing date) is the day w1118 was isolated. Am excited to share some watercolour paintings I did this weekend to celebrate today as FlyDay. Wait for the cake that should happen this PM.
Here's the Fly Day cake using a drawing that I had made long time ago inspired by beautiful work by @joana_gcc
And this concludes our fly day celebration.
We are excited to share our recent work uncovering specialized genome structures in the brain, online today in @Nature:
rdcu.be/cBvwz
@apombo1 @BIMSB_MDC @MDC_Berlin @helmholtz_de @4DNucleome @NeuroCureBerlin
↓ Short thread below ↓
1/7
rdcu.be/cBvwz
@apombo1 @BIMSB_MDC @MDC_Berlin @helmholtz_de @4DNucleome @NeuroCureBerlin
↓ Short thread below ↓
1/7
Led by @WarrenWinick and co-first authors Alexander Kukalev, @IzabelaHC @lunazere9 @domSzabo, this work was an incredible multi-disciplinary effort with 7 international labs:
@GoCasteloBranco @LonnieRWelch Mario Nicodemi, Mark Ungless, Georg Dechant, @teichlab @AltunaAkalin
2/7
@GoCasteloBranco @LonnieRWelch Mario Nicodemi, Mark Ungless, Georg Dechant, @teichlab @AltunaAkalin
2/7
We uncover that specialized brain cells contain highly specific 3D genome structures at multiple genomic scales. For example, only 14% of large-scale TAD borders are common to all cell-types, while cell-type unique borders contain genes relevant for specialized functions.
3/7
3/7
Today we are thrilled to have @CatrionaNR (aka the singing scientist) from @TheDohertyInst @UniMelbMDHS share what she's excited about for the future of STEM!
In fact, she's an In2science mentor because she wants to support young scientists who will one day take the reins.
In fact, she's an In2science mentor because she wants to support young scientists who will one day take the reins.
One thing @CatrionaNR loves seeing is more creativity being mashed with science. #SciArt is an amazing space and provides great ways to explore and engage more people in STEM - from songs & comedies to images & nerdy tees. She sums up it up in @museumsvictoria's 10s challenge:
More and more #WomeninSTEM are taking a stand 👩🔬 Women are poorly represented in the STEMM workforce, comprising <30% of researchers worldwide.
But there are programs that lift #WomeninSTEMM up, and they are banding together to create change.
#WomeninScience @WomenSciAUST
But there are programs that lift #WomeninSTEMM up, and they are banding together to create change.
#WomeninScience @WomenSciAUST
This tiny crab trapped in 100-million-year-old amber is the most complete fossil crab ever discovered! But how did a crab get trapped in amber in the first place? Here we tell you the story
science.org/doi/10.1126/sc… #Science #Evolution #SciComm 1/n
science.org/doi/10.1126/sc… #Science #Evolution #SciComm 1/n
Transitions from marine to non-marine environments (e.g., land, brackish & freshwater) are an infrequent even in most animal groups. And yet, true crabs, or #Brachyura, have done it independently over a dozen times! #ocean #freshwater #evolution 2/n
Amber is like a time capsule that preserves organisms like frozen in time. While most fossils in amber are land-dwelling animals—principally insects—, aquatic organisms such as crabs are extremely rare! #amber #jurassicpark #Cretaceous #Crabs Photo by @LidaXing1982 3/n
NEW PIECE: Visualizing the Biomass of Life 🐂🐬🐝🐠🦩🦨🐢🐄#sciart #biomass #scientificillustration #illustration #animals #dataviz #datavisualization #visualjournalism #biodiversity
Read more about this topic here: visualcapitalist.com/all-the-biomas…
Original data from 2018 paper by @yinonbaron, Rob Phillips and Ron Milo pnas.org/content/115/25…
I've been thinking a lot about #illustration and #graphics in #scicomm and the place they play in design.
Like text, images hold info. I like to think of my images in terms of question-centered design as well. Here's a system of levels I've made to help me organize images:
Like text, images hold info. I like to think of my images in terms of question-centered design as well. Here's a system of levels I've made to help me organize images:
1. Observational, descriptive. What something is, its inherent form, materials and characteristics. (what, who)
2. Contextual, locative. Puts the subject in a setting, either placing it in geographic or temporal space. Gives us the position relative to time or location. (where, when)
Ahhh #storyboarding! Will touch on this a bit later this week! But a teaser...
Don't worry about the hero's journey first.
Start with a #narrative timeline:
1. Who is your protagonist? Immune cells?
2. Antagonist or supporting players? Bacteria?
3. Define setting...
(1 of 5)
Don't worry about the hero's journey first.
Start with a #narrative timeline:
1. Who is your protagonist? Immune cells?
2. Antagonist or supporting players? Bacteria?
3. Define setting...
(1 of 5)
... where are you? The lungs? (maybe start with a wide angle, then zoom in, and in).
4. Define your problem. Bacterial infection spreading!
5. Counter action. Immune system attacks!
6. Overcoming, or reaction. Bacterial infection shrinks?
7. Wrap up ...
(2 of 5)
4. Define your problem. Bacterial infection spreading!
5. Counter action. Immune system attacks!
6. Overcoming, or reaction. Bacterial infection shrinks?
7. Wrap up ...
(2 of 5)
... call to action? moral? "That's how..." explainer
Basically, the thing to remember with animation, #1 mistake is writing out of linear time order. Unlike text, your timeline is more rigid. Can't see the immune cells attack until that character is introduced to us.
(3 of 5)
Basically, the thing to remember with animation, #1 mistake is writing out of linear time order. Unlike text, your timeline is more rigid. Can't see the immune cells attack until that character is introduced to us.
(3 of 5)
#Design for #Sciviz Tip 1:
Keep it simple (as you can). No.1 issue I run into with clients is they want to put every bit of their research in every image. Maybe ok for numbered figs, but not in your visual abstract, not in your PPT presentation!
Keep it simple (as you can). No.1 issue I run into with clients is they want to put every bit of their research in every image. Maybe ok for numbered figs, but not in your visual abstract, not in your PPT presentation!
At each step, whether working with a #sciart designer, or DIY, ask yourself "what is most important here" and "how can I #communicate that most clearly?"
Ask yourself what is noise in your message, and may prevent your audience from understanding (or even reading) your work. If it is unreadable, there is NO POINT in having every detail in there!
After Antarctica and some backpacking, my Antarctica money ran out. Luckily I had a job lined up at Çatalhöyük @catalhoyuk_arch - a posterchild site for post-processual #archaeology!
My first full time #sciart gig as a archaeological illustrator!
catalhoyuk.com
My first full time #sciart gig as a archaeological illustrator!
catalhoyuk.com
I'd like to spotlight the ongoing #archaeological #illustration of Çatalhöyük illustrator @kjkillackey who was a great help in showing me the ropes, and her incredible work!
(Katy hope you don't mind I pulled this image from your feed.)
(Katy hope you don't mind I pulled this image from your feed.)
Also part of our little Çatalhöyük #sciviz office there was @jasonq, archaeological #photographer whose work you can see here: jasonquinlan.com (screenshot here)
Jason did a lot of climbing in scaffolding to get useful overhead shots of the dig!
Jason did a lot of climbing in scaffolding to get useful overhead shots of the dig!
After college, I spent some time traveling and working, and improving my #sciart skills.
The first place I went was Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station in #Antarctica (the #southpole).
I worked as a dishwasher, met my future husband, and saw some pretty neat climate science!
The first place I went was Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station in #Antarctica (the #southpole).
I worked as a dishwasher, met my future husband, and saw some pretty neat climate science!
During the summer, most operations workers at #southpole live in "Summer camp" a half mile from station.
It is a cluster of Jamesway tents on the ice flat. Home sweet home!
The warmest day that summer was -9° F, and the coldest as I left was about -60° F. That is cold!
It is a cluster of Jamesway tents on the ice flat. Home sweet home!
The warmest day that summer was -9° F, and the coldest as I left was about -60° F. That is cold!
One of the coolest things down there is @uw_icecube IceCube Neutrino Observatory, doing some #neutrino #physics!
Sensors deep in the ice can catch neutrino interactions in ice (heavy water also works in mine shafts)!
Here's a nice #sciviz by Fermilab
Sensors deep in the ice can catch neutrino interactions in ice (heavy water also works in mine shafts)!
Here's a nice #sciviz by Fermilab
I'm a #sciviz freelancer...
Institutions & individuals contract me for help communicating science. I collaborate with researchers, designers, journalists, or comms to execute the right visuals for the audience.
This #sciart for @TheScientistLLC
Institutions & individuals contract me for help communicating science. I collaborate with researchers, designers, journalists, or comms to execute the right visuals for the audience.
This #sciart for @TheScientistLLC
On any given week I may be juggling:
Multiple Figs and visual abstracts
Journal cover submission
Patient ed animation
Biotech campagin storyboarding
Zoo sign species ID #illustrations
Helping craft a @NatGeo #infographic
Kids puzzles!
#Textbook graphics
Science #editorial
...
Multiple Figs and visual abstracts
Journal cover submission
Patient ed animation
Biotech campagin storyboarding
Zoo sign species ID #illustrations
Helping craft a @NatGeo #infographic
Kids puzzles!
#Textbook graphics
Science #editorial
...
Today here at @iamscicomm I'm focusing a bit on my world - the world of science adjacent #sciart and #sciviz folks who support researchers with graphic #scicomm.
I mentioned yesterday I stared down a STEM career path, but found what I really loved was communicating that science!
I mentioned yesterday I stared down a STEM career path, but found what I really loved was communicating that science!
So where does a person go from there? For the record, everyone thought this was a poor career choice. I
1. Dropped my minor
2. Dropped the weed-out pre-med courses
3. Started drawing every day
4. Started teaching myself software
5. Started contacting #sciviz folks for advice
1. Dropped my minor
2. Dropped the weed-out pre-med courses
3. Started drawing every day
4. Started teaching myself software
5. Started contacting #sciviz folks for advice
Asking advice is important when considering a #STEM career. I had access to a lot of people in research and medicine to talk to and help me.
Unfortunately, this is not as easy for everyone. How do you make yourself accessible for students or potential entrants to your field? ❓
Unfortunately, this is not as easy for everyone. How do you make yourself accessible for students or potential entrants to your field? ❓
Hi guys, this is the latest update for the vaccine cards. Mostly small tweaks and updating the data. I included a legend card to provide a bit more explanation. #sciart #scicomm #CovidVaccine [1/3]
[2/3]
[3/3]
Anybody else here doing #sciart? If yes, what inspires you? What tools are you using? Are you using your art in your actual scientific work in some way?
I really got into science cartoons/sketches - the most successful so far was the PhD bathtub: 1/4
I really got into science cartoons/sketches - the most successful so far was the PhD bathtub: 1/4
I've been doing a lot of (traditional) drawing and painting back in school and at the beginning as an university student, but I stopped later due to stress & all the (international) moving and tiny apartment of first the PhD and then postdocs. 2/4
I then heard of sketchnotes & graphic recording and loved the idea. I first tried them on paper, then bought myself and ipad. Never actually managed to get into proper graphic recording, but science doodles turned out to be fun! 3/4
