<p>So I've been toying with the idea about being an medical illustrator....so that means
minoring in art while majoring in biology for my
undergraduate years in university..</p>
<p>The only thing that concerns me is that I don't have much experience in art so I would not really be able to make a portfolio.
Question:
Would I need a portfolio to apply for an undergraduate art Minor? And I know this is out of the blue but is it possible to apply for an art major with no portfolio? Are there any schools that teach art for "fresh" learners? </p>
<p>To be a medical illustrator is tough and it's recommended that either major in biology/premed and minor in art OR the other way around. If anyone has any additional information about preparing to be an medical illustrator, that would help.</p>
<p>Are you good at art/drawing? Technical illustration requires good drawing skills. I assume you must have some natural talent, or you wouldn’t be looking at this as a career path.</p>
<p>I’d look into schools with good art and science programs, and then explore those schools and their requirements. The type of art you’d create for medical illustration would be less fine-art focused and more illustration/graphic focused; if you go to a school whose art program is known for conceptual art, you’re not going to gain the technical skills you’ll need to be a commercial artist. So make sure you go somewhere that can offer a more illustrative/technical focused art program.</p>
<p>Maybe look at programs at schools that have programs specifically in medical illustration, to see what types of classes they require…to give you a sense of what’s involved in being prepared to work in the field. Cleveland Institute of Art comes to mind, though I’m pretty sure you need a portfolio there for entry, whereas at a public university you could probably easily major in Bio and minor in art, with no portfolio requirement. But I am sure it varies from school to school.
Good luck!</p>
<p>I didn’t think most schools ask if you were going to minor in anything, I thought it was just “What do you want to major in?” So if you’re looking to go the bio route, then you wouldn’t need a portfolio.</p>
<p>BUT…
If you haven’t had much experience in art, what was the thing that made you say “I want to be a medical illustrator?” Not to put you down or anything, but it does make me curious…</p>
<p>I’d strongly suggest getting some in-depth experience in art and what it is like to be in a studio for hours at a time before you consider a career path in it. I’m an AP artist, and I know many fellow students who are convinced that they are a graphic/fashion designer. Then they start a class, and figure out it’s really not for them at all. They’ve taken electives at school and such, but introduction to art is honestly not the same as a full fledged, year-long studio course. I loved art since I was young, and it’s always been my favorite hobby. But it will never be a career for me because I become too emotionally tied around my art. I’m cranky when my pieces don’t turn out the way I want them to, and I only think about the piece for hours at a time even when I have to be doing something else. Hobby does not always mean career path. Whether that’s your case or not, I’m just giving you an example. </p>
<p>Hope I don’t sound too intimidating, but it is something you should think about. If you have the time to take some art classes, do so, and see if it really is the right path for you. If it is, then great. If not, then it’s a good thing you realized it before it was too late. Good luck.</p>