About Medical Illustration
Medical Illustrators are highly trained and specialized to communicate the complexities of medicine and science to any audience—doctors and other healthcare professionals, scientists, patients, or even children—using various media in print, animation or on the Web. From patient education to product advertising, medical illustrators demonstrate what can be difficult to describe in words or photos. Focusing on the client’s message, important features are emphasized while extraneous information is eliminated or downplayed.
| This illustration
of the small intestine, uterus and ovary is based on the original carbon dust of Max Brödel, circa 1900.  |
In most instances, accuracy in medical illustration is essential and is not easily learned without formal training. In order to fully understand what needs to be visualized for the client or audience, illustrators who earn a Master’s degree from one of the five accredited schools in the U.S. must complete coursework not only in Illustration and Graphic Design, but also in science courses such as Human Gross Anatomy, Comparative Anatomy, Histology, Embryology, Physiology and Pathophysiology—the same core courses required for medical students. With additional specialty training in courses like Surgical Illustration, Instructional Design and Multimedia/Animation, medical illustrators have the expertise needed to focus on the client’s audience and effectively deliver the message.
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Certified Medical Illustrator
(CMI)
A
board-certified medical illustrator (CMI), has not only undergone a rigorous
portfolio review, but also has passed a lengthy two-part examination:
the first dealing with business practices, ethics, and biomedical sciences;
and the second part testing drawing skills. Once earned, the CMI credential
is maintained through meeting continuing education requirements in the
arts, sciences, and business practices. The program is based on standards
established by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. For more
information, please visit the Association of Medical Illustrators’
Web site at www.ami.org.