Medical
Illustrations are a part of biological illustrations that are used for the
documentation and dissemination of the knowledge related to medical and related
fields like Anatomy.
Background
The roots
of the medical illustrations and medical drawings can be traced back to
as early as thousands of years during the medieval times. Several ancient
manuscripts including the historic Arabic dissertation papers comprise medical
drawings of human anatomical organs. Although the drawings of circulatory,
digestive and central nervous systems etc are all somewhat defective and not
exactly like the actual organs. These medical illustrations are based on guess
work rather than the direct observation.
Professionally,
medical drawings were introduced for the first time in 1980s, by Max
Brodel, an amazing artist from Leipzig Germany. He was called for the first
time to the John Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore for the medical
illustrations to Harvey Cushing and various other clinicians. He then proceeded
on to create a first department for medical illustrations in 1911, which
is functional to this day.
Medical
illustrator
Medical illustrators are the artists by profession with the deep
knowledge and understanding of visual arts and life sciences. This profession
combines the knowledge of medical with arts to create an optimal combination
for individuals with artistic and scientific mind. A medical illustrator is
required to convert the complex scientific information into the visual
information that can explain the written theory in the form of pictures. It is
used to communicate with the large number of audience to make them understand
complex concepts without getting bored. Max Brodel was the first Medical
illustrator who used the drawings for this purpose but now the technology has
advanced and sophisticated 3D tools and methods are used for illustrations.
Techniques used in medical illustration
There are various techniques used for medical illustrations based
on the requirements. Traditionally, the first technique was making the
illustrations through carbon dust that was introduced by Max Brodel. Carbon
Dust creates realistic looking images like the real black and white pictures.
This is the reason that carbon dust technique was greatly used for the
illustration purposes in the initial years. Other traditional techniques
include making the medical drawings with the color pencils, stipple pens
and ink, water colors, gouache and lithography.
For the illustrations a fountain pen with a flexed nib is used to create
clear, clean, well-defined and inexpensive illustrations. Heavy paper or board
is preferred for ink drawings. Mostly, the traditional techniques are used at
lower grade levels where the audience is less such as the students in a
classroom and advanced explanations are not required like for pre-medical
students.
However, digital Illustrations are becoming popular day by day as
it is not only possible to explain a picture but also show it moving and
functioning inside the body. Digital illustrations are made using a monitor or
drawing tablet, and the softwares that are used for digital drawing purposes. A
heavy machinery or advanced equipment is not required. Illustrations can be
used in post productions as well when they have been drawn by hand.
Benefits of using Digital medical illustrations
By showing a human anatomy as a 3D object, the audience can get
fully immersed in the illustration as it appears very realistic with the
movement of organs like the heart pumping blood, blood running in veins, the
diaphragm expanding and contracting. These illustrations make explaining the
medical concepts very easy and make it simple to understand them. These
illustrations are perfect educational tools for students, employers and
professionals alike. Mostly these are used in medical conferences and seminars
to engage the audience and convey information to them in an effective manner. Often,
services of a medical illustration company are utilized that prepare
illustrations on demand.
These illustrations also allow the users to view an object from
several different angles and provide a detailed anatomical dissection of the
organs as well.
The individuals who do not have a medical background cannot
understand the complex medical Jargons so it is always a good idea to convey
the information by displaying lot of pictures and digital animations to make
them understand the functionality of human body.
Where are the medical illustrations used?
From the latest surgical techniques to human genes, the need for
effective and accurate medical illustration is continuously increasing. Medical
animations and illustrations are required in almost all the markets and media
that circulate the information of biology and related subjects. Usually, a medical
illustration company provides the services for the bulk orders and large
audience.
The institutions that require these services most are:
·
The consumer and trading
publishers
·
In medical E-books, journals and
textbooks
·
Medicine related websites
·
The workshops for medical
students and graduates
·
For educating the patients about
a certain disease or medical issue
·
For the interactive learning
through presentations
·
For advertising the medicines for
various ailments
·
In the Health and wellness apps
·
In medical games and quizzes
·
In the museums
·
In the dental and vet markets
These are just the major areas where medical illustrations are
used. There are various other industries that need the services of a medical
illustration company from time to time.
Conclusion
The need for biological illustrations is embedded in every industry.
Whether it’s a medical service, social work campaign for spreading awareness,
need to educate tourists in museum, for students, in movies, in textbooks and
journals or in the courtrooms; the need for these illustrations and animations
is everywhere. So, if you have a knack for drawing and life sciences and you
are detail oriented; do not miss the opportunity to consider this profession.