r/medicalillustration

For some context I'm going into my junior year! I've been quite interested in medical illustration for a while, and I've been trying to dig up as much information as I can about this field; however, I just don't think I've been looking at the correct sources, and I'm generally confused on the process + how to get there. I'm also located in the USA, so my questions will be derived in that context.

Science background: As a high schooler, I've already taken anatomy, biology, chemistry, and I'm planning on doing AP chemistry this year and AP bio + microbiology next year (senior year).

Art background: Unfortunately, I'm not taking any art courses at my school, but I've been going to an art education studio for around 5 years now (all traditional) and self-taught digitally for around 6 years.

Here's some questions I can think of right now:

1. What is required on my portfolio, and how can I build it up? Are digital works acceptable on these or only traditional?

2. Should I also learn how to do 3D art? (I only do 2D)

3. What other classes should I take in high school and what should I focus on?

4. What are good undergraduate programs for medical illustration? (I'm concerned on how I should route this out so I'd like general advice on where to begin)

5. How does the job market look right now?

6. What does the workload look like (either corporate, freelance, or anything else in general)?

7. What is the salary? Are you able to live comfortably with it?

8. How is the work-life balance?

9. Will I be able to balance medical illustration as a profession and doing personal commission work?

10. Do you still have a passion for art or does the industry burn you out?

+ Just any general advice/comments would be awesome. Thanks so much!!

I'm a medical student with a lifelong passion for art, especially watercolor painting. I'm looking for researchers, physicians, or students who need scientific or medical illustrations for research papers, case reports, textbooks, or other academic publications. I'd be happy to create the illustrations free of charge, as long as I receive credit as the illustrator in the publication (so the work can count toward my academic portfolio).

I already have experience with medical illustration; one of my watercolor illustrations has been published in a vascular surgery book. If anyone would like to see it or examples of my work, I'd be happy to share them.

If you have a project that could benefit from a custom illustration, or if you know someone who does, please feel free to send me a message. I'd love to collaborate!

For example