How do you express the abstract and staggeringly complex realities of molecular biology in pictures? I’ve worked on this subject for years and, inspired by the work in the textbook Immunology, I’ve found that precise, consistent use of shape and color is critical to effectively conveying an idea. The illustrator must be very careful with his/her use of color. He/she must use it liberally to provide variety and clarity in a crowded milieu of interactions, but at the same time it is critical to avoid confusion by coloring things in a way that disagrees with the current understanding or trends.

This figure illustrates a technique developed by Dr. David Weaver called Thallium Flux. It’s the cornerstone of whole fields of research, but it can be very hard to explain how it works in words. This set of illustrations clears up the intracellular mechanisms behind the process, and it was the centerpiece of an award-winning poster at the 2008 SBS convention in St. Louis, Missouri.

I’ve seen plenty of people struggle with drawing their figures in Powerpoint, and I can take that burden right out of your hands. Tell me a little about your research, and I’ll give you a set of accurate and informative illustrations or infographics that can set your paper apart from others. I’m also adept at Flash, so send your animation ideas my way as well. You’ll find that a good set of figures can be used and reused, over and over again, in many different applications. Contact me—I’d love to hear about your work and share my ideas of how to show and tell it in a vibrant and dynamic way!