Design Atlas recently had the pleasure of hosting an exceptional guest, Shiz Aoki, who has revolutionized the way scientists communicate their research visually. With a deep-rooted belief in the power of simple and easily understood visuals, Shiz has carved out a remarkable career that transcends the confines of traditional design.

Having spent seven years at National Geographic as a leader in Science Illustration, Shiz's expertise and passion for visual storytelling became the catalyst for a groundbreaking idea. Realizing the limitations faced by scientists in creating compelling illustrations due to a lack of accessible tools, Shiz set out to bridge the gap. This led to the founding of a firm that catered to the visualization needs of textbooks, biotechs, and research journals.

However, the demand for their services grew at an unprecedented pace, highlighting a critical need for accessible and user-friendly platforms tailored specifically for life sciences. Inspired by this realization, Shiz embarked on a journey to democratize scientific illustration, leading to the creation of BioRender. BioRender is a remarkable platform that empowers scientists to effortlessly create and share beautiful, professional scientific figures. With over 2 million scientists benefitting from the platform's capabilities, it has become an invaluable resource for visually communicating groundbreaking research.

Join us as we delve into Shiz Aoki's unique perspective, exploring their experiences in designing a platform meant for design but not necessarily for designers. We'll uncover the challenges they faced and the triumphs they achieved while navigating the intersection of art, science, and technology. Furthermore, we'll gain invaluable insights into their time as an illustrator for National Geographic, immersing ourselves in the captivating world of visual storytelling and the impact it can have on scientific communication.

Whether you're a designer seeking inspiration outside the conventional boundaries of design or someone passionate about the intersection of creativity and science, this episode of Design Atlas is a must-listen. Shiz Aoki's journey will leave you inspired, and their invaluable lessons will provide guidance for those looking to break through in non-traditional design career paths.

Tune in to the Design Atlas Podcast and embark on a captivating exploration of design's transformative power and its boundless potential to shape the world we live in.

If you’d like to support the show or to learn more about Design Atlas, please visit ⁠⁠www.designatlaspod.com⁠⁠. To get in touch with us, DM us on Instagram ⁠⁠@designatlaspod⁠⁠, tweet us ⁠⁠@designatlaspod⁠⁠, or send us an email at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠. 

Produced by Jens Bringsjord and Megan Luedke. Sound engineered and edited by Jens Bringsjord. All rights reserved. ©2023 Design Atlas Media.