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: Trong Nghia
Science and Technology can often be incredibly hard to visualise. The illustrators in our WIA2025 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.
Rogue Gone Vogue –
Gray Water from Antarctic Vessels
New Talent
As an activist, scientist & artist – accurate science x illustration has the ability to transcend language barriers, education levels, age gaps, cut through scientific-jargon, and democratise & disseminate fresh key information.
Our environmental issues need to be understood easily by everyone in order for activism & action to be taken.
Josephine Vermilye (Rogue Gone Vogue) is a Swiss illustrator based in the UK
You can view the full project here
Josephine (Rogue Gone Vogue) has great approach in visually telling a story, where words fail alone. The pared back single tones help in distilling the message.
Tim Claeys Creative Director Coretext, Science & Technology category Judge
Ada Zejun Shen –
Bacterial Vision
New Talent
Our accustomed sensations and physiologies may have interesting histories, reminding us that we are the products of nature’s entanglement.
The illustration shows vertebrates’ vision was made possible by an ancient event of horizontal gene transfer from bacteria.
Ada Zejun Shen is an emerging illustrator and interdisciplinary artist based in New York, USA.
You can view the full project here
Ada’s work is tonally great with a soft palette works well for this complex ‘diagram’.
Tim Claeys Creative Director Coretext, Science & Technology category Judge
JIYOUNG KIM –
Don’t Bother Me (Intermittent Explosive Disorder)
Professional
Intermittent Explosive Disorder is a condition where a person loses control over aggressive impulses, often resulting in sudden violence or property damage.
This artwork portrays a brain on the brink of exploding in rage—set off by something as harmless as a feather—to emphasize the volatility of the disorder.
Jiyoung Kim is an illustrator based in South Korea.
You can view the full project here
Andy Potts –
Rain or Shine? A Faster, Better, Forecast
Professional
Commissioned by the The Wall Street Journal as the cover and inside artwork for ‘The Future Of Everything’ supplement.
Exploring AI weather prediction with visual metaphors of weather amd digital rain.
The brief was to create two illustrations and an animation representing data in the form of weather fronts/digital rain.
Andy Potts is an illustrator and animator based in the UK
You can view the full project here
Pâté –
Silencing Tinnitus
Professional
Commissioned by The New Scientist cover illustration to bring to life the lead article ‘Silencing Tinnitus’ about a revolutionary new understanding of hearing that promises to stop that ringing in your ears.
A concept-led illustration using playful use of shape and metaphors.
Pâté is a graphic artist based in the UK.
You can view the full project here
Trong Nghia Nguyen – Bye Bye Wisdom Teeth Infographic
New Talent
Created as part of a school project on well-being. This playful and informative illustration focuses on wisdom teeth, simplifying facts, pain management, and care tips through clear visuals.
Tapping into the fear many people have around the dentist, the illustrations act as an inviting yet informative infographic to encourage people to be less afraid.
NT Andy Nguyen is a Vietnamese graphic designer studying in Hungary
You can view the full project here
What Our Jury Says:
This poster has conceptual clarity and is fun to watch, visually engaging. Simple sometimes does it
Tim Claeys Creative Director Coretext, Science & Technology category Judge
Illustrator Interviews
As part of our shortlist showcase we’ve been asking our WIA2025 shortlisted illustrators about their shortlisted projects and illustration practice.
Michele Sclafani
Shortlisted in our Professional Science and Technology category for their project – Quantum reference frames: an insight
What is your best tip for other illustrators?
I see illustration as a space for exploration and play, without pressure or rush. For me, it’s important to take the time to find your own voice and enjoy the process.
Jiyoung Kim
Shortlisted in our Professional Science and Technology category for their project – Don’t Bother Me (Intermittent Explosive Disorder)
What’s your favourite thing about your shortlisted project?
What I love most about the project is its diagonal tension, angry brain imagery, and unstable bomb fuse. These elements reflect inner chaos and the moment right before an emotional eruption.
If you enjoyed reading this curated list, be sure to keep explore the rest of the WIA2025 Shortlist Showcase. We will be adding new materials over the next few months. Also check out all of the Meet the Illustrator Interviews on our Projects page!
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