2017 Volume 13 Pages 186-203
Representations of scientific illustrations in published materials have been analyzed in science studies; however, little is known about what scientists and illustrators actually intend to represent in making scientific illustrations. The purpose of this paper is to show how an illustrator and a scientist create scientific illustrations and what ideas and knowledge they provide in the process. The creation of seven illustrations by a science illustrator and a brain researcher was examined. The authors collected data including field notes, recordings of conversations in meetings, e-mails, materials, drawings, and interviews, and analyzed them through qualitative data analysis. Consequently, the authors found two processes of making illustrations: image creation and modifying existing illustrations. The illustrator and scientist were also found to provide ideas and knowledge not limited to their specialties. This study may suggest the basis for a discussion on the origin of illustrations and creativity of illustrators, which has been overlooked in science studies.
