Bakabaka Design

Scientific Illustration with Adobe Illustrator

This course allows you to use Adobe Illustrator to create your own scientific illustrations, graphical abstracts and diagrams. Starting at the very basics, you will be guided through the steps to use Illustrator in a hands-on and practical format. You will learn to design high-quality and understandable figures you can include in all kinds of publications, both online and printed.

During the sessions, you will learn to work in Adobe Illustrator. In a casual and easy flow, you will master all the tools necessary to lift your figures beyond the restrictions of Biorender, Paint.net, and PowerPoint.

It’s not just practice. You will learn about typography, colour and composition, and how to use those elements effectively in your work. How to draw and retain attention, how to focus on your figure’s central message. Get your point across in a concise and professional way.

All knowledge and skills are offered with a focus on use in a scientific environment. The atmosphere during the sessions is open and casual, and your input is more than welcome. Bringing in a case of a figure, graphical abstract, or presentation you’re working on is a great way to get the most out of this course.

Available both offline and on.

Quick facts

• for scientist, PhD students, or Master students in (exact) science
• 4 sessions of 2.5 hours each (including a break), one session per week
• assignments to exercise with between the sessions
• total time investment 16 ~ 24 hours
• no prior experience needed, this course is entry-level
• online: individual or groups of up to 12 participants
• offline (in-company): groups of 4 to 12 participants
• bring a laptop with Adobe Illustrator installed
• slides and practical summary provided in .pdf after each session
• no other materials necessary
• available in English or Dutch

I teach this course both independently and at the PhD Course Centre of the Graduate School of Life Sciences, part of  Utrecht University. Are you a PhD student at the UU? Do check if you are eligible to follow the course at the PhD Course Centre.