Subscription Center
September 6, 2012
| 
1
On occasion, concept sketch submissions make me swoon. Most often, the happy-making sketch comes from a freelance illustrator that has been commissioned to flesh out a specific information graphic for us. But every once in awhile, an unexpected gem arrives directly from an author.
Scientific American’s expert authors are generally great at providing reference material for illustrations in the form of previously published journal article figures and PowerPoint lecture slides. And many authors go the extra mile and take pen to paper to help answer specific questions from our editorial team with annotated cartoons. Packed with handy–and critical–information, the source material is gratefully accepted, digested, and used. But it rarely makes me grin.
A few months ago, a sketch from author Joseph Dwyer made me grin (below). The information was clearly visualized, which certainly made my job easier. But the careful details and style in which the cartoon was executed…well, that just made me very happy.
Author Joseph Dwyer's concept sketch
Illustrator Brian Despain painted the final version for the August 2012 print issue (“Deadly Rays from Clouds” by By Joseph R. Dwyer and David M. Smith), and I animated it for our iPad edition. Very different in tone from the original sketch, but definitely inspired by it in content and care.
Brian Despain's final illustration
Animated version for iPad
Rights & Permissions
1 Comment
Add a Comment
You must sign in or register as a ScientificAmerican.com member to submit a comment.
Click one of the buttons below to register using an existing Social Account.
The Cognitive Science of Star Trek
It's not about predators, it's about journal quality
Dear Guardian: You've Been Played
Anti-Psychiatry Prejudice? A response to Dr. Lieberman
Scour: Why Most Bridges Fail
Northern Elephant Seals: Increasing Population, Decreasing Biodiversity
See what we're tweeting about
Myrmecos 11 Astounding Arthropods You’ll See at BugShot - Belize. Plus, a Zombie Fungus. http://t.co/sjLUVr8eA0
David_Bressan Origami T-rex stalks the "Paper Age" until electric extinction http://t.co/d1z8ptDQ0V
SteveMirsky Stumbled onto a cheesecake taste test today at the @FairwayMarket in Pelham Manor, NY. Very difficult to decide. Had to do multiple trials.
YES! Send me a free issue of Scientific American with no obligation to continue the subscription. If I like it, I will be billed for the one-year subscription.
Share
Email
Print
Very nicely done by all!
Link to thisJim Dwyer (no relation)