Step One: Consider Majoring in Biomedical Visualization
Ever wished you could blend your love of art with your fascination for science? Going into the field of medical illustration might just be the perfect career path. Medical illustrators are the creative pros behind the highly detailed medical illustrations, medical drawings and medical art visuals in medical textbooks, surgical education, interactive simulations, pharmaceutical campaigns, research publications, museums and immersive virtual reality experiences. From 3D anatomical animations to healthcare user experience (UX) design, this field is where creativity meets scientific precision. And no, you don’t have to be a doctor to do this job, but you do need a solid understanding of human anatomy, plus some serious design skills.
Whether you’re an artist who’s always loved biology or a pre-med student who’d rather draw than diagnose, this unique field brings together the best of both worlds. Let’s walk through what this career looks like, what you’ll need to study and how to get started so that you can search for medical illustration jobs with confidence to become a medical illustrator. We will even include real-life alumni outcomes showing career paths of a few Rowan University grads who work as medical illustrators.
Subject matter review and approval March 2026:
- Professor Amanda Almon, Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI), accredited by the Association of Medical Illustrators and CAAHEP
- Professor Sara Jarrett, Certified Medical Illustrator (CMI), accredited by the Association of Medical Illustrators
What Exactly Is Medical Illustration?
Medical illustration is all about using visuals to make complex scientific or medical concepts easier to understand. Think anatomy drawings, surgical diagrams, 3D animations of how medications work in the body, or educational content for patients. All of this is considered medical art. These illustrations show up everywhere—from science classrooms to operating rooms. This is an evolving field at the intersection of art, biology, medicine and technology.
Medical illustrators and scientific illustrators work closely with professionals in medicine, science and education. Their medical art has a purpose: to teach, inform and sometimes even save lives.
What Should You Study to Become a Medical Illustrator?
There’s no single pathway to becoming a medical illustrator, but your education will typically combine art and science. Many medical illustrators earn a bachelor’s degree in fields such as:
- Biological sciences or pre-med
- Studio arts or fine arts
- Scientific illustration or biomedical visualization
You’ll want to take courses in anatomy, physiology and biology—as well as digital illustration, drawing and design software. Programs that blend both creative and scientific coursework are ideal.
What Skills Help You Succeed in the Field of Medical Illustration?
In addition to strong drawing skills and a love of science, here are a few skills that are super valuable in this field:
- Attention to detail: Medical accuracy is everything.
- Comfort with technology: Many illustrators use programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and 3D rendering tools.
- Communication: You’ll often work with scientists and doctors who depend on you to translate their knowledge into visuals.
- Creativity: You’re helping people visualize what they can’t see—inside the human body!
A Glimpse Into Rowan University’s Biomedical Visualization Major
Rowan University’s Biomedical Visualization program is one of the few undergraduate disciplines of its kind in the country, attracting students nationwide who are interested in combining artistic talent with scientific knowledge to create impactful visual communications. With access to state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty and a vibrant student community, Rowan University provides an ideal environment for students pursuing a career in biomedical visualization.
Rowan’s biomedical visualization program offers a unique blend of art, science and technology, providing students with a comprehensive education in creating educational illustrations, animations and interactive media for specific audiences. The program’s curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing students to take a broad range of courses, including science and medicine, as well as access to the courses in computer imaging, graphic design, information design, photography and sculpture.
What Classes Do Medical Illustrators Take?
A sampling of core biomedical visualization courses offered that aspiring medical illustrators and scientific illustrators take include:
- Introduction to Natural Science & Zoological Illustration
- Digital Rendering & Illustration Methods
- Figure Anatomy for the Artist
- Surgical Illustration & Media
- Scientific & Medical Sculpture
- Introduction to 3D Modeling for Media & Industry
- Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
- Developmental Biology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Advanced Problems in Biomedical Art & Visualization
Campus Experiences for Biomedical Visualization Majors
Students in the biomedical visualization program benefit from a supportive community and dedicated faculty. As alumnus Emerson H. shared, “As a smaller and more tight-knit major, professors really take the time to help us individually. In one of our more intense classes, Surgical Illustration, Professor Jarret made sure that each of us were comfortable and confident walking into real surgeries and were prepared to create our best work.”
A wide range of on-campus opportunities and partnerships with outside entities allows students to gain professional experience while still students.
The Biomedical Visualization Club at Rowan University provides additional opportunities for students to engage with the field, hosting speakers and exhibitions related to biomedical visualization. This club, along with other student organizations, fosters a sense of community and collaboration among students with shared interests in art, science and technology.
Where Do Medical Illustrators Work?
Medical illustrators and scientific illustrators can work in all kinds of places:
- Hospitals or medical centers
- Museums and design teams
- Universities or research labs
- Publishing companies
- Pharmaceutical or biotech firms
- Legal or forensic teams
- Freelance or contract-based roles
Some medical illustrators specialize in animation, others in textbook illustrations and others in virtual reality or 3D modeling. It’s a field that’s always evolving—just like medicine itself.
Biomedical Visualization Career Outcomes
Alumni Success, Grads Who Work as Medical Illustrators
Taylor M.
Graduating five years ago, Taylor M. is a medical illustrator with Medscape, a division of WebMD. Medscape is an online resource and mobile app for healthcare professionals that provides free access to extensive medical information, news, clinical tools and Continuing Medical Education (CME). These topics span covering medicines, diseases, procedures and personalized content to support clinical practice and decision-making.
In addition, Taylor is a member of the Association of Medical Illustrators and shares, “I take great pride in my ability to translate complex medical information into beautiful and understandable works of art.” In their role, Taylor works with engineers, surgeons and fellow medical illustrators. Their area of focus includes human anatomy, animal anatomy and zoological illustration.
Isabel D.
A month after her graduation one year ago, Isabel launched her career as a junior 3D artist with Envision Innovative Solutions, Inc. The company works with government and commercial entities to, according to their website, support critical operations and deliver systems and services that modernize legacy systems, protect networks and assets and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of mission-critical functions.
Jenny M.
After her graduation five years ago, Jenny first worked as a freelance medical illustrator for Cooper University Health Care, a position she held for a year. She then accepted an offer to work as a graphic designer for AstraZeneca, through Indegene, a publicly traded company that provides research and commercialization services to biopharmaceutical and healthcare organizations. Three years later, Jenny earned a promotion to medical illustrator and digital design lead, continuing to focus her work on AstraZeneca medical illustration needs.
Step Two: Build a Portfolio
Your portfolio is your ticket into the field. It should include work that shows your artistic range and your understanding of anatomy and scientific processes. Include both traditional and digital work, and organize your pieces to show your creative process and ability to communicate visually.
Not sure where to start? Try illustrating or visualizing a system of the human body, a medical procedure, or an educational graphic for patients. This could take the form of a scientific illustration, medical illustration, or another type of biomedical visualization. Along with the visual, explain what the piece is showing and why you made specific design decisions to communicate the information clearly and effectively.
Review admissions’ portfolio requirements and tailor your portfolio to include requested elements.
Bottom Line
Medical illustration is a unique blend of art, science and communication—and it plays a major role in how we learn and teach health and medicine. If you’re someone who loves drawing as much as dissecting (on paper or screen, of course), this career might be worth exploring.
Whether you’re still in high school, already in college, or considering a career shift, it’s never too late to combine your creative talents with your curiosity for the human body. Start sketching, stay curious and keep learning—you never know where it might take you.
Launch your medical illustration career with Rowan University’s Biomedical Visualization program.