Jen Power’s extended interview

Let’s start with a small introduction. Give us your best 90-sec pitch when you introduce yourself to someone new.

Hey, I’m Jen! I’m a former scientist turned graphic designer. I’ve always had a passion for both science and design, and am able to merge the two in my career. My main goal is to communicate science accurately, simply, and effectively and to combat science disinformation.

Before starting working as a designer, you were a scientist. Can you tell us more about what you were studying?

I studied ovarian biology and ovarian cancer. I worked as a research assistant at a fertility centre where my research focused on identifying potential biomarkers of fertility in follicular fluid extracellular vesicles (EVs). During my Master of Science research, I investigated the role of EVs in multidrug resistance in ovarian cancer.

You mention in your bio that your path from science to graphic design and art was intentional. Can you tell us more about how you pivot in your career?

Well, when I was in high school, I excelled in both science and communications technology (which was the closest thing to a design class), but I didn’t know it was possible for me to merge those two interests. I contemplated going directly into design school out of high school, but I really loved science and wanted to pursue a degree. During my undergrad I discovered that medical illustration was a career option, but illustration wasn’t my strong suit and also wasn’t something I was that interested in. I figured there must be a place for designers in the science field — making figures and infographics for various publications — so I set my sights on following that trajectory. When I completed my Bachelor of Science, I still really enjoyed research and wanted to delve more into it, so I did my Master of Science. Two months after I defended my thesis I started design school!

What did you like the most about being a scientist? What do you like the most about being a designer today?

My favourite thing about being a scientist were the “ah-ha” moments — after weeks of trying to get an experiment to work, or going through experiment results, or reading through the literature, and then it just clicks. I loved getting to experience that. I suppose in some ways that’s also what I enjoy about design — it’s all about problem solving; coming up with new ideas and executing them. I definitely also love when I’ve finished a design and it goes out into the world and other people enjoy it; obviously the best is when someone tells me they’ve learned something from my work. That is really validating for me.

How hard it was to start doing art with a science background? Does your “outsider” view help you in your daily work?

Well, I think a necessary distinction is that I don’t consider the work I do to be art, it’s design. Obviously both require a lot of skill and creativity, but design is based more in communicating a specific concept for a specific audience. I wouldn’t say it was hard, but sometimes I did feel a little alone, a little like, “am I doing the right thing?”. Absolutely my unique view is beneficial in my daily work. My analytical, science mind is a huge asset when I’m trying to figure out how to visualize something, and my artistic, design mind is great for when I need to ensure colour is used effectively, type is set properly, and that the design is accessible for the widest audience possible. It’s funny when people talk about being either left-brained (associated with science and analysis) or right-brained (associated with creativity) — I like to think of myself as being a whole-brained designer because I’m always using both!

What set of skills did you find surprisingly useful when starting as an artist? What designer skills you wished you had known while you were actively working as a scientist?

Since I’m working as a scientific graphic designer, I still use a lot of my science skills! I think the one I rely on the most is the ability to read and assess publications (to ensure what I’m visualizing is correct and accurate). I so wish I knew how to use Illustrator as a scientist, haha. All my presentation and figure graphics were always made in Photoshop, since that’s the only program I knew really well at the time. I also wish I had a better understanding of good design (information hierarchy, colour theory, typography, etc.), which unfortunately, most scientists do not have.

Your work focus intensively on communication. Is communication a driver for your art? And what is the role that clear, yet compelling, designs should have in science?

Absolutely. A huge driver for me is communicating science (to both scientific and lay audiences) and dispelling science disinformation. Good design is a huge necessity in science, especially when you’re trying to disseminate incredibly complex and nuanced concepts. A clear, concise, and accurate figure makes a world of difference.

You work both with still graphics/infographics and with animated shorts. Do you choose the medium based on the science project? Which do you think works best for science communication?

In my day job, I don’t touch motion graphics at all anymore. I definitely think motion graphics/animation/video works really well for science communication, when executed properly — especially depending on the audience (i.e. a lay audience would probably rather watch a video than have to read through an infographic). Motion just allows you to do so much more with the information, and allows you to communicate complex topics smoothly, especially if it’s something like a procedure or a process.

What suggestion you have for a scientist that wants to improve their communication skills?

Any type of beginner design courses that address information hierarchy, typography, and accessibility would be beneficial. You always have to be cognizant of your target audience — will this be a comfortable reading experience for them? Will their eye be taken to the most important piece of information first? Will people who are colour-blind be able to distinguish between the colours used in this graphic? Is there enough contrast? Is the text large enough for people with vision issues? Is the message being conveyed effectively?

Do you think you will branch out of sciart, or do you plan to maintain this connection with science for a long time?

I don’t have any plans to disconnect my work from science. Science is such an integral part of my life (and everyone’s lives whether they understand it or not), and I want to share how incredible science is with as many people as possible.

Your work has a distinct style, with pastel colors, striking typography, with punches of bright colored details, often in an eye-catching red. How did you find your artistic voice? What inspire your work?

I don’t consider myself to have a defined style, at least not at this point in my career. My favourite aspect of design is typography, so I do try to utilize it in bold and effective ways in my work. Funnily enough, outside of my work, my world is very monochromatic. I only wear black and most of my home is black and white, which is just an aesthetic I personally really like. But my actual designs are not my personal aesthetic (except for when I inject some vibrant reds in here and there). As a designer, I know that I have to tailor my work to the target audience for the piece. So I tend to use colours that evoke a certain emotion based on the tone of the message, and design everything with the target audience in mind.

Do you have a favorite scientist? Who, and why? Do they also have an influence on your art?

As someone whose entire research career revolved around EVs, I greatly admired Clotilde Théry. I used all her work as the building blocks for my own research, and when I was able to meet her at an international conference I attended, it felt like meeting a celebrity, haha. A more widely known scientist would be Rosalind Franklin, who did inspire me to create an animated short giving a (very) brief history of her involvement in discovering the DNA double helix structure. As someone who identifies as a woman, I felt deep sorrow and indignation for how Franklin was treated by some of the male scientists she worked with, especially after witnessing sexism in the field of science first-hand. I’m sure indirectly a lot of those feelings inspire my work. I want to create designs that are inclusive, diverse, and accessible to all, especially to people who have been marginalized.

What are you currently working on? What the next exciting thing on the horizon?

Outside of my day job, I don’t have any big projects currently on the go, but I do have a list of ideas that I keep on my phone. I would like to continue creating infographics specifically for Instagram, I just need to take the time to plan it out! I would like to sell some of my work in the future, but I don’t currently have the drive to set that in motion yet.

Your tastes in music are eclectic (self-classified). Do you listen while you draw? If yes, what pieces are you listening recently while drawing?

I have music playing constantly. If I’m not in a meeting, I have music on. Lately I’ve been listening to my usual mix of various metal acts while designing. Currently I’m listening to an old Neuorsis album, but I’ve also been listening to a lot of Deafheaven, Converge, Lingua Ignota, Daughters, and Rammstein.