Neuroanatomy Textbook Spread
The project aimed to enhance collaborative skills by working as a team to develop a group stylesheet and design a spread for a neuroanatomy textbook. During the process, one illustrator conducted research, prepared linework and layout before handing it over to a colleague. Subsequently, another illustrator executed the rendering, compiled and labeled assets, and finalized the spread.
Client
Shelley Wall (Biomedical Communications Professor, University of Toronto)
Role
Research, Digital Illustration
Tools
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Sketchbook®
Render: The Bony Orbit and Its Contents
Research, Linework and Layout
In the project's initial phase, my colleague Josephine Choi conducted research, authored the text, created the linework, and structured it within a layout adhering to the group stylesheet. After receiving the line art, I carefully traced it on a separate layer to ensure precision before advancing to the rendering stage. I drew inspiration from visual references such as "Head, Neck, and Neuroanatomy (THIEME Atlas of Anatomy)" and "Grant's Atlas of Anatomy," among others. The color palette and design elements came from the group stylesheet for a cohesive visual presentation.
Finalizing the Spread
Following the rendering phase, I labeled all structures, proofread the text, and made minor adjustments to the layout.
Linework and Layout: Venous Drainage of the CNS
During this project phase, I conducted research and wrote the text for the spread, along with preparing the linework and layout. I then handed the project over to Natalie Lucas for rendering. The primary challenge was condensing the extensive topic of venous drainage of the CNS into 3-4 figures with varying levels of detail. I chose to illustrate arachnoid granulations within a stepped tissue cube and incorporated the great cerebral vein (vein of Galen) into the dural venous sinuses illustration without visually blocking the other veins.
References:
Agur, A. M., & Dalley, A. F. (2019). Moore's Essential Clinical Anatomy (6th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Crossman, A. R., & Neary, D. (2018). Neuroanatomy: An Illustrated Colour Text (6th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
Crumbie, L. (2023). Brainstem: Definition, anatomy, parts, function. Kenhub. Retrieved from https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/the-brainstem.
Netter F. H. (2019). Atlas of Human Anatomy (7th ed.). Elsevier.
Rohen, J. W., Yokochi, C., & Lütjen-Drecoll, E. (2016). Anatomy: A Photographic Atlas (8th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.