WIA2024 Shortlist Showcase – Science & Technology
Opening our eyes to a breadth of knowledge. Our Science & Technology Shortlist illustrates complex themes into tangible and engaging insights into the world of science and technology.
Image Credit: Maiyashu – World Without Nature
Science and Technology can often be incredibly hard to visualise. The illustrators in our WIA2024 Science and Technology Shortlist make it look easy. Using visual metaphors, unique perspectives and rich detail to open up our understanding of complex subjects.
This is one of the many examples of how powerful of a tool illustration is in opening our minds. Making us more knowledgable about our world and what the future may hold.
Learn more about the incredible array of subjects in our Science and Technology Shortlist and hear from our Judges about what made these projects stand out.
Doug John Miller – Lithium and Beyond
Professional
Commissioned by the Royal Society of Chemistry this intricate illustration depicts the changing world in battery technology.
The playful use of scale indicates the impact of the scientific developments. Whilst also showing the sheer volume of people that must come together to run them and the huge implications.
The use of 3D perspective to built up the basic composition is striking and instantly informative.
Doug John Miller is an illustrator and lecturer currently working in the UK.
You can view the full project here
We asked Stephanie Violo our Science & Technology category Judge for her thoughts…
I was mesmerised by the complexity and level of detail in this illustration. The more you study it, the more you uncover. It effectively fulfils its purpose of illustrating the intricacies and uses of lithium in our daily lives. Additionally, it aids in understanding the article by visually representing complex ideas.
Yesyo Yeh – Travel with TASA
Professional
Commissioned by The Taiwanese Space Agency, to give an insight into their mission.
This calendar takes us on an adventure across space. Illustrating the process of capturing images, how ground personnel handle them and the communication between satellites and Earth.
Using playful shapes and icons the piece has an inviting style that brings space knowledge to a new audience.
Yesyo Yeh is an illustrator based in Taiwan.
You can view the full project here
We asked Felix Donghwi Son our Science & Technology category Judge for his thoughts…
Through imaginative layout design and an original rendering style. Each stage appears to have relevant components, carefully chosen and creatively arranged to symbolically represent a single keyword. It is impressive how the five stages and the cover page not only symbolise different content but are also expressed in similar colours and a cohesive style.
Maiyashu – World Without Nature
Professional
Exploring the psychological impact of an increasingly digital world this poignant piece highlights the dark side of technology.
Making a statement on the impact of technology on children. The central child is interacting with nature through a screen, surrounded by an increasingly bleak world.
Despite the sad subject matter, the piece feels hopeful. Reaching towards the sun with a beautiful use of contrasting colours.
Xinyue Chen / Maiyashu is an illustrator based in New York.
You can view the full project here
Thoughts on World Without Nature from one of our Science and Technology Judges:
I love the elegant simplicity of this image. There is a lot going on here that isn’t really apparent until one really studies it. I appreciate that. It tells a story that one can definitely imagine and relate to without too many giant leaps.
Michael Mrak – Creative Director at Scientific American and Science & Technology Category Judge
Nicole Tan YingLi – Thirteen Ways of Looking at Artificial Intelligence
New Talent
This playful illustration series explores AI impacts on society.
Each card illustrates a specific way AI impacts humanity: Knowledge, Manipulation, Conspiracy, Ethics, Human Rights, Automation, Language, Creativity, Impersonation, Intimacy, Mortality, Plagiarism and Climate Salvation.
The vibrant and graphic illustrations feel modern and playful. Using visual metaphors and a cohesive colour palette to tie the series together.
Nicole Tan YingLi is an illustrator based in Singapore.
You can view the full project here
We asked Nicole why she chose to enter this piece?
“This project was an absolute joy to create from beginning to the end. Technology is a topic that I’m passionate about and with the rise of A.I., it is a topic worth exploring!”
HyunJin Seo – Plasti-Scene
New Talent
Illustrating the consequences of microplastics, this series envisions a world where exposure to microplastics results in Plasticization among all creatures.
Utilising storytelling to allow us to think through the eyes of ‘outsiders’ visiting Earth’s disrupted ecosystem.
The research style of collated illustrations and combined text create a scrapbook like approach that feels investigative and insightful.
HyunJin Seo is a South Korean Illustrator based in the UK.
You can view the full project here
We asked Hyun why she chose to enter this piece?
“I entered this work for its visual strength and its ability to bridge the gap between science and public understanding, demonstrating how illustration can make complex issues accessible and engaging.”
Nine Zhao – Future Life Underground
New Talent
These surreal illustrations envision a future world where super-advanced technology coexists with a devastated ecology.
Illustrating the growing economic disparities technology can create, each detailed illustration showcases diverse characters and rich landscapes that transport you into a new world.
The vibrant futuristic colours and scarcity of greenery to emphasise the lack of ecology and dystopian feel.
Nine Zhao is an illustrator based in New York City and China.
You can view the full project here
Thoughts on ‘Future Life Underground’ from one of our Judges:
This artwork fascinatingly portrays a devastated future world of advanced technology from various perspectives. The artist cleverly uses composition to focus on the central characters in each illustration, while embedding numerous detailed elements to convey rich messages. Creatively representing a dystopian future using unique materials, the artist enhances the quality of the work with their distinctive use of colour and attention to detail.
Felix Donghwi Son
Founder and president of Scixart, Republic of Koreakaging Category Judge
Illustrator Interviews
We’ve also been asking some more of our amazing shortlisted illustrators about their practice and their shortlisted projects.
Shortlisted in our Science & Technology Category for their project Hide and Sick: Food Additives
What’s your favourite thing about your shortlisted project?
The mazes. What I create is not just an image, but an engaging activity. Therefore, my audience becomes more than just readers—they are guests invited into the game I design.
Shortlisted in our Science & Technology Category for their project Wind Forces According to the Beaufort Scale
Why did you choose to enter this work?
As a freelancer I often work in a vacuum and don’t get that much feedback. Of course I can tell that my clients are happy, but it’s good to have some validation from industry professionals.
Be sure to check out all of the Meet the Illustrator Interviews:
If you enjoyed reading this curated list, be sure to keep explore the rest of the WIA2024 Shortlist Showcase.
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