Biologist, illustrator, teacher..?

Can studying something totally different improve one's illustration skills?

I have a BS degree in biology and last year I started studying pedagogy and training as a biology teacher, as possible secondary career to illustration and visual development. Since then I have realized what I enjoy the most in biology is observation, communication and interpretation. And what I enjoy the most in teaching is communicating information and creating visual interpretations.

One of the first school projects I did was to prepare and deliver a lesson on the service and importance of our pollinators (subject of my choice). Needless to say, my first instinct was to create some illustrations of bees, flowers and fruits which I then printed out on cards, separately, for students to hold on to. This was a decision based on an established teaching model, as a means to try and help students stay engaged and involved during the lesson. These cards served as sort of an anchor throughout the lesson, a physical thing to touch and look at. They worked like a charm!

Although I've always understood, as a student, the importance of visual representation in education, this was my first experience of my own work doing this. Visualization for natural history and science prioritizes accuracy and clarity. It is based on research, observation and understanding how to deliver information clearly.

Among the most important skills a teacher and biologist can have are in fact observation, communication and interpretations. Furthermore, these are also the most important skills an illustrator can have! So, to answer to my own question; Yes, studying something different can definitely improve one's illustration skills.

Thank you for joining me!

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