Scientific illustrations to make the invisible visible and the complex comprehensible
I’m Maddi Astigarraga, a scientific illustrator. I transform complex concepts into visual works that inspire and communicate.
[01]Excite
Ilusión/ideas:
It all starts with the excitement and desire to tell a story, communicate a concept. If you have something you want to communicate, tell me about it in an initial meeting. We will share ideas and talk about the audience, style, best approach, and budget.
[02]Research-learn
Investigar-conocer, observar y entender
Before starting on the drafts, it’s time to gather information. Find out what you’re going to talk about, the species to illustrate, the process to communicate…
[03]Create
Crear
Once the preliminary research is complete, it’s time to get started on the drawing.
- Initial sketch: to capture the essence of the project.
- Corrections and changes: You are the expert, so I will listen to your corrections and suggestions and apply them to ensure everything is correct.
- Final sketch.
- The magic of details: In this phase, I refine and nuance the illustration by adding colors, shadows, and textures.
- Final corrections and details.
- The illustration is now complete!
[04]Share
Compartir
And we have reached the final step of the process. The illustration is ready to share scientific knowledge with the world.
Services
Services Capture the essence of scientific knowledge in attractive illustrations and get your message through. We’ll do it together. You explain your project and the content you want to convey, and I’ll shape and color your ideas.
Scientific illustration:
Rigorous and detailed illustrations for magazines, newspapers, books, posters, thesis covers, scientific articles...
Editorial illustration and dissemination
Science within everyone's reach.
Infographics and data visualizations:
Combine illustrations with text to spread knowledge on a wide scale.
Drawing to learn, workshops for adults and young people:
Explore different techniques and learn to see like a scientific illustrator.
Projects
- Mixed media
- Scientific illustration
This illustration shows part of the great diversity of human neurons. Winning illustration in the international scientific illustration contest “Illustraciencia” in the “Año Cajal” category in 2023.
- Category
- Scientific illustration
Illustration that forms part of the “Small guide to pollinators,” which features eight pollinating insects that can be seen in the fields, forests, towns, and cities of Gipuzkoa.
- Digital techniques
- Scientific illustration
Botanical illustration of the carnivorous plant Pinguicula grandiflora
- Client: EHU
- Infographics and data visualizations
Monthly collaboration with the Chair of Scientific Culture at the University of the Basque Country (EHU), where different topics are explored through its protagonist, the hedgehog Kiñu.
