Visual communication
of knowledge
Good day, my name is Nadja Stadelmann, I am a scientific illustrator and my studio is located in the Viscosistadt Emmenbrücke, Lucerne.
Translating complex content into understandable images and models, capturing the essentials, and developing the optimal visual language for each project – that is my task and my passion in scientific illustration. Since founding my studio 15 years ago, I have been creating illustrations for various scientific fields, with a focus on medical and natural science topics. I combine digital design tools with traditional drawing and painting, engage in discussions with experts, and I am also happy to delve into research myself.
I learned my trade in Zurich and Maastricht: Designer FH, Scientific Illustration, Zurich University of the Arts, CH / Academy of Fine Arts & Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, NL
Feel free to contact me with any questions or project ideas.
Procedure
I often and gladly accompany a project from the initial idea right through to publication. Every illustration project is unique and arises from close collaboration with the client. We develop an individual visual language and make your knowledge easily understandable and accessible to your target audience.
1 Project Idea
During an initial consultation, we discuss the goals and purpose of the visualisation, its form, format, usage, target audience, desired style, budget, processes, and timeline. I am happy to take the time for a detailed discussion so that I can get a clear picture of the technical content and your ideas.
2 Planning & Briefing
A detailed quote lists the planned work steps, agreements, and deadlines. I receive all relevant content information for the illustration. Sometimes there are clear ideas for graphics, other times I read publication texts and develop image ideas myself. Once the scope and core message are clarified, we plan the next steps.
3 Research
A solid understanding of the subject matter is central to good scientific representation. While not every field is equally familiar to me, I enthusiastically immerse myself in new topics. I like to get to the bottom of things, analyse, ask questions when necessary, and place great value on reliable sources.
4 Design Concept
To convey content clearly and engagingly, appropriate visual language is required. Through implementation tests, we develop your individual illustration style. The design concept defines colour schemes, drawing styles, image composition, typography & graphic elements, ensuring that everything comes „from a single mould“, even with extensive publications.
5 Design & Proofreading
During the design phase, the idea takes shape visually. Scribbles, sketches or preliminary line drawings form the basic framework before detailed elaboration. This is where you and your expertise are needed once again. We thoroughly examine the designs, consult further specialists if necessary, and correct all content.
6 Implementation
The illustrations are carefully developed, checked and finished. Hand drawings or watercolours are digitally processed and retouched in-house. For perfect print products and clear on-screen display, I liaise with production. After the final check, the data is output in the agreed formats.
Short-term illustrator
This is also possible; I can supplement your publication with a missing scientific graphic according to your exact specifications, assist an animation project on a technical level as a storyboard artist, or create a simple sketch for your project.
Network for extensive projects
My core expertise is illustration. For animations, interactive design, 3D, graphics or particularly extensive projects, I collaborate with professional partners. I am happy to assemble a project team if required.
References
Publishers
Ernst Klett Verlag, Stuttgart DE | Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart DE | Blackwell Verlag, Berlin DE | Hans Huber Verlag (now Hogrefe Verlag), Bern | hep Verlag AG, Bern
Pharma & Consumer Healthcare
Novartis Pharma AG | Vifor Pharma | GlaxoSmithKline plc. (gsk) | Grünenthal Pharma AG | Melisana Healthcare, Zürich | SANITIZED AG, Burgdorf
Medical clinics, centres and doctor's practices
Schulthess Clinic, Zurich | Joint Centre, Zurich | Vista Clinic, Binningen | General Practice Muttenz | Jürg Wittwer GmbH, Health Practice, Baden | Paediatric Info, Solothurn | Hildegard Palliative Care Centre, Basel | Pilatus Ophthalmic Surgeons, Lucerne
Universities and research institutes
ETH Zurich | University of Zurich: Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Zoological Museum, Psychological Institute | University of Bern: Zoological Institute for Behavioural Ecology | University of Sussex (GB) Department of Biological & Environmental Science | Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
Federal Offices, Commissions and SNF
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, Bern | Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Bern | National Platform Natural Hazards PLANAT | NFP 68 Sustainable Use of Soil Resources
Communications and advertising agencies
EuroRSCG (now Havas Worldwide), Zurich | Jung von Matt, Zurich | Zenner Life Science Partner GmbH, Kappel | clearbrand gmbh, Zurich | Casalini Werbeagentur AG, Bern | MdA Business Communications, Basel | ErgoDent / CCS AG, Bachenbülach | Yvonne Schmidlin Visual Design, Emmenbrücke | steiger texts concepts consulting, Lucerne | augenweide Werbeagentur GmbH, Bellach | Modulator, Branding + Design, Basel | SchiessGestaltung – Office for Graphics and Culture, Baden | die_texter gmbh, Zurich
Foundations
Swiss Heart Foundation, Bern | Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach | Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation, Zug
Culture
jodel.ch, Nadja Räss | tschutti heftli, Lucerne | Kollegitheater Sarnen
Further sectors
Peugeot Switzerland | riposa swiss sleep, Bilten | Sportfocus, Cham | High stem Seetal, Römerswil | Knutwil Mineral Water, Knutwil
Education & Professional Experience
since 2015
Atelier Nadja Stadelmann – Science Illustration in Emmenbrücke (LU) – Viscosistadt Area
Tutor for Watercolour Painting at Dranbleiben.ch – Further Education in Design and Art
2007 – 2015
Descience – Images for Science, studio collective with A. Ulrich in Lucerne
since 2007
Self-employed as a Scientific Illustrator, specialising in medical and scientific subjects
2007 – 2009
Illustration and Project Management Knowledge Visualization & Scientific Illustration, vasp datatecture GmbH, Zurich
2007
Graduated as a designer (FH), Scientific Illustrator at the Zurich University of the Arts, diploma thesis at the Veterinary Anatomy Institute of the University of Zurich (anatomical visualisations of the cow for teaching, based on dissection layers of the neck and thorax).
2006 – 2007
Academic year in Maastricht (NL) (Erasmus stay) Master's degree course Scientific Illustration, specialisation in human and veterinary anatomy, Academy of Fine Arts / Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences of Maastricht University (NL)
2002 – 2007
Study Scientific Illustration, Zurich University of the Arts
2000 – 2001
Foundation Course in Design, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
2000
Gymnasium Matura, St. Fidelis College, Stans NW
Procedure
I often and gladly accompany a project from the initial idea right through to publication. Every illustration project is unique and arises from close collaboration with the client. We develop an individual visual language and make your knowledge easily understandable and accessible to your target audience.
1 Project Idea
During an initial consultation, we discuss the goals and purpose of the visualisation, its form, format, usage, target audience, desired style, budget, processes, and timeline. I am happy to take the time for a detailed discussion so that I can get a clear picture of the technical content and your ideas.
2 Planning & Briefing
A detailed quote lists the planned work steps, agreements, and deadlines. I receive all relevant content information for the illustration. Sometimes there are clear ideas for graphics, other times I read publication texts and develop image ideas myself. Once the scope and core message are clarified, we plan the next steps.
3 Research
A solid understanding of the subject matter is central to good scientific representation. While not every field is equally familiar to me, I enthusiastically immerse myself in new topics. I like to get to the bottom of things, analyse, ask questions when necessary, and place great value on reliable sources.
4 Design Concept
To convey content clearly and engagingly, appropriate visual language is required. Through implementation tests, we develop your individual illustration style. The design concept defines colour schemes, drawing styles, image composition, typography & graphic elements, ensuring that everything comes „from a single mould“, even with extensive publications.
5 Design & Proofreading
During the design phase, the idea takes shape visually. Scribbles, sketches or preliminary line drawings form the basic framework before detailed elaboration. This is where you and your expertise are needed once again. We thoroughly examine the designs, consult further specialists if necessary, and correct all content.
6 Implementation
The illustrations are carefully developed, checked and finished. Hand drawings or watercolours are digitally processed and retouched in-house. For perfect print products and clear on-screen display, I liaise with production. After the final check, the data is output in the agreed formats.
Short-term illustrator
This is also possible; I can supplement your publication with a missing scientific graphic according to your exact specifications, assist an animation project on a technical level as a storyboard artist, or create a simple sketch for your project.
Network
My core expertise is illustration. For animations, interactive design, 3D, graphics or particularly extensive projects, I collaborate with professional partners. I am happy to assemble a project team if required.
References
Publishers
Ernst Klett Verlag, Stuttgart DE | Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart DE | Blackwell Verlag, Berlin DE | Hans Huber Verlag (now Hogrefe Verlag), Bern | hep Verlag AG, Bern
Pharma & Consumer Healthcare
Novartis Pharma AG | Vifor Pharma | GlaxoSmithKline plc. (gsk) | Grünenthal Pharma AG | Melisana Healthcare, Zürich | SANITIZED AG, Burgdorf
Medical clinics, centres and doctor's practices
Schulthess Clinic, Zurich | Joint Centre, Zurich | Vista Clinic, Binningen | General Practice Muttenz | Jürg Wittwer GmbH, Health Practice, Baden | Paediatric Info, Solothurn | Hildegard Palliative Care Centre, Basel | Pilatus Ophthalmic Surgeons, Lucerne
Universities and research institutes
ETH Zurich | University of Zurich: Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Zoological Museum, Psychological Institute | University of Bern: Zoological Institute for Behavioural Ecology | University of Sussex (GB) Department of Biological & Environmental Science | Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)
Federal Offices, Commissions and SNF
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, Bern | Federal Institute of Metrology METAS, Bern | National Platform Natural Hazards PLANAT | NFP 68 Sustainable Use of Soil Resources
Communications and advertising agencies
EuroRSCG (now Havas Worldwide), Zurich | Jung von Matt, Zurich | Zenner Life Science Partner GmbH, Kappel | clearbrand gmbh, Zurich | Casalini Werbeagentur AG, Bern | MdA Business Communications, Basel | ErgoDent / CCS AG, Bachenbülach | Yvonne Schmidlin Visual Design, Emmenbrücke | steiger texts concepts consulting, Lucerne | augenweide Werbeagentur GmbH, Bellach | Modulator, Branding + Design, Basel | SchiessGestaltung – Office for Graphics and Culture, Baden | die_texter gmbh, Zurich
Foundations
Swiss Heart Foundation, Bern | Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach | Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation, Zug
Culture
jodel.ch, Nadja Räss | tschutti heftli, Lucerne | Kollegitheater Sarnen
Further sectors
Peugeot Switzerland | riposa swiss sleep, Bilten | Sportfocus, Cham | High stem Seetal, Römerswil | Knutwil Mineral Water, Knutwil
Education & Professional Experience
since 2015
Atelier Nadja Stadelmann – Science Illustration in Emmenbrücke (LU) – Viscosistadt Area
Tutor for Watercolour Painting at Dranbleiben.ch – Further Education in Design and Art
2007 – 2015
Descience – Images for Science, studio collective with A. Ulrich in Lucerne
since 2007
Self-employed as a Scientific Illustrator, specialising in medical and scientific subjects
2007 – 2009
Illustration and Project Management Knowledge Visualization & Scientific Illustration, vasp datatecture GmbH, Zurich
2007
Graduated as a designer (FH), Scientific Illustrator at the Zurich University of the Arts, diploma thesis at the Veterinary Anatomy Institute of the University of Zurich (anatomical visualisations of the cow for teaching, based on dissection layers of the neck and thorax).
2006 – 2007
Academic year in Maastricht (NL) (Erasmus stay) Master's degree course Scientific Illustration, specialisation in human and veterinary anatomy, Academy of Fine Arts / Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences of Maastricht University (NL)
2002 – 2007
Study Scientific Illustration, Zurich University of the Arts
2000 – 2001
Foundation Course in Design, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
2000
Gymnasium Matura, St. Fidelis College, Stans NW