Hi! I’m Michie, a graduate student currently studying at The University of Toronto.
The degree I’m studying for is a Master of Science in Biomedical Communications.
For those of you that don’t know what that is, it’s a degree in medical illustration.
For those that are further confused as to what medical illustration entails, I don’t blame you.
It’s a niche but rapidly growing field.
The pandemic has encouraged Michie to revamp her desk setup and create a more comfortable workspace. She realised that she dreaded coming home to an unbearable chair and disorganised desk. “I took advantage of the winter break to invest in it. It’s made a huge difference so far in my productivity and mood for 2022“, she says
The medical illustration profession involves communicating and visualising scientific, anatomical, and medical concepts in ways that are accessible, interactive, and interesting.
For example, we are the ones that draw the cross-sections of human organ systems in medical atlases and diagrams to help train surgeons.
We also make interactive visuals for lawyers to use in courtrooms that help the jury understand how an injury occurred.
We do much more than that, but those are just some examples!
The majority of jobs in medical illustration require a Master’s degree in one of four accredited universities in North America.
Essentially, we are scientific communicators from a variety of backgrounds. What we all have in common is extensive science and/or medical education, specialised training, and skills in illustration and design.
Our network of professionals is very close-knit. If you ever catch any one of us in conversation, we could go on and on about our field!
Prior to my pursuing my Master’s, I did my undergraduate studies specialising in Forensic Chemistry at the University of Toronto.
While I pursued science in my studies, I loved drawing on the side. I am largely self-taught, and I spend a lot of my free time drawing my favourite anime characters as well as buildings and architecture.
My artistic friends went on to apply to art schools for illustration, design, or animation. Still, those fields never felt right for me.
When people asked me what my dream career was, I didn’t have one solid answer, but I knew that science had always been a passion of mine, so I was considering that path.
Michie’s favourite wallpaper
Unfortunately, I sustained a life-threatening brain injury from an accident back in 2012.
I was just entering my second last year of high school at that time, and I struggled with the permanent cognitive effects of the injury.
Going into university, my grades suffered, and I fell behind in my studies.
While I still loved science and what I was studying, I found that I needed new ways to teach myself the material that used to come easily.
I found that drawing diagrams and making step by step pictures really helped me understand complex topics.
Fast forward to my last year of undergrad, and visuals not only helped save my grades, but they were a way for me to teach my peers scientific concepts that they were having a hard time with.
Michie only started getting into productivity two years ago, so she hasn’t had any “magical revelations” yet. “I do know that a productive system is something built over time. I started by watching productivity channels on YouTube and trying out what they recommended”, she says. “I would recommend making productivity a hobby because that’s what I did. It’s never stopped being fun to try and level up in my own game”
Although I hadn’t drawn much in over four years and my skills had stagnated, I began picking up drawing as a hobby again.
One day, I stumbled into the Biomedical Communications wing on campus. I learned that there was a whole program where I could combine my passions for art and science right under my nose!
I scrambled to apply, and here I am now, in my last year and super happy to be a part of the medical illustration community.
I currently work part-time as a medical illustrator for a company called BioRender.
BioRender is an online tool that helps scientists create and share high quality and professional figures using pre-made icons and templates.
Our company is based in Toronto, but my role is currently remote. I enjoy working here, and I find the culture great. I’m really lucky to be working within a field I love and alongside some program graduates.
After graduation, I see myself either working remotely or in Toronto. I am also open to freelancing on the side.
If you’re interested in my work or learning more about what I do, feel free to check out my website or connect with me through any of the platforms listed above!
