Presenter: Zachary Nielsen
Authors: Zachary Nielsen, Isabella Nielsen, Erin Riggs, T. Heath Ogden, Jeremy Jensen, Kelsey Stone, Kyri Forman, Karen Smith
Faculty Advisor: Christopher Young
Institution: Utah Valley University
One of the most important elements of a scientific illustrator’s task is to familiarize themselves with the organisms they are illustrating and to communicate with scientists to ensure that the illustrations are accurate and useful for species identification. I have worked on two separate projects with the UVU Biology Department with the goal of implementing this interdisciplinary collaboration. The first project is to illustrate a poster of endemic and rare plant species in conjunction with UVU Herbarium director Erin Riggs’ research of the plant life in southeastern Utah’s Grand Gulch. This involved conducting my own research to determine which endemic species were most likely to be found within those canyons. I also accompanied the herbarium research team on a week-long expedition to Grand Gulch to collect plant specimens and to take photos to use as reference for the illustrations. The second project is the illustration of a field guide for the insects of Capitol Reef National Park in collaboration with Dr. T. Heath Ogden and his research team. I am using insect collections taken from the park to illustrate the characteristic features of each insect order included in the field guide. The illustration process involves using a combination of photo references, collected specimens, microscopy, and observational drawing skills to create an accurate representation of the species. The preliminary pencil sketches will then be inked and subsequently colored digitally. In an age of advanced photography, one might question the relevance of scientific illustration as a means of informing taxonomic identification. However, I would argue that it remains as integral as ever before, as many features can be difficult to capture in a photograph. An illustrator possesses the skills necessary to clarify and emphasize important details through the use of design in the context of scientific fidelity.