mark belan | science illustrator + info designer

Telling science stories with the power of visuals✨ Graphics Editor @QuantaMagazine prev: @visualcap @rednucleusHQ Founder @artscistudios | 🇨🇦🇭🇷🇪🇺

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

I'm launching a newsletter through Substack.

I'd love if you could subscribe and stay in touch with updates from my studio, new work, and tips and resources on visual science communication.

https://t.co/xywJ7rC540

[artsci studios @ArtsciStudios]

We're launching a Substack Newsletter!

Subscribe to us at https://t.co/ZWYCWIH8Ar for updates from our studio, as well as news and trends in visual science communication.

Look forward to connecting with you.

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

Me since the advent of video format as the mainstream 😔

[Felix ❤️‍🔥 @pilgoth]

I hate, hate, hate being forced to watch a video to learn something when I could read at 10x the speed. Videos are for cattle.

"Hey guys, today we'll be talking about X -- X is a fascinating topic, and a lot of you have been requesting I talk about X, so..." - Shut up, Shut up!

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

A playful graphic contrasting the cGAS–cGAMP pathway in multicellular versus bacterial systems.

It shows how complex organisms have retained this ancient, primitive machinery, repurposing it to drive different immune outcomes.

Full story: https://t.co/YgeV439rpY

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

Did you know that infinity comes in different "sizes"? "Bigger" and "smaller" descriptions of infinity exist!

Seems paradoxical, right? How can an endless concept ever have a defined size?

I helped visualize a story describing this. Check it out here!

https://t.co/rK4H8IE66v

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

A new graphic illustrating a 'hydraulic jump' in flowing electrons, from today's story at Quanta: https://t.co/HKWmfmzp4Q

#physics #particlephysics #electrons #science #electronflow #condensedmatterphysics

[Quanta Magazine @QuantaMagazine]

A 150-year old topology puzzle has been solved thanks to a few very overheated laptops, an origami rhino, and a seemingly unrelated corner of geometry. https://t.co/jWzHHMvrlV

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

I made this bat flap around for today's story on neurons that help guide our day-to-day navigations.

Working in web animation is a new exploration since joining Quanta, and this is a nice example of how motion can tell a simple science story.

Read more: https://t.co/O5NhObFLE6

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

is anyone in my network a super Webflow creator? Like...really comfortable/proficient?

I have a project I need support on, quick turn around (of course - paid!)

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

Today in Quanta we report on a unique puzzle in topology.

I had a lot fun making a full graphics suite for this story, choosing the palette, mood, and even graphical representation of some of these tricky mathematical concepts.

Check it out here!
https://t.co/HYsXSPpAdO

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

"Science research is mostly invisible to the public"

The answer is always within the problem.

Make it visible! Visuals, folks!

[Neil deGrasse Tyson @neiltyson]

Science research is mostly invisible to the public. To many it's obscure & irrelevant. And returns on science investments carry longer horizons than quarterly or annual reports

Yet it's the engine room of tech-innovation. Cut funds for science & you ultimately stall your economy

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

Follow me at 🦋:

https://t.co/S529OIiu3D

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

@zander_supafast this isn't really about the color of danger buttons as it is about organizing branding colors...

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

I co-wrote a visual explainer with Joe Howlett on the quantum mechanics of greenhouse gases. It includes graphics/animations showing why molecules like CO₂ are such powerful drivers of planetary warming.

It was super fun! Check it out here: https://t.co/PZdBORHmuT

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

In Sept, Quanta Magazine published a special issue on the science of climate change. We spent a lot of time curating 9 climate stories that span technology, microbiology, math, and more.

I made these 9 planetary models that reflect each story. Check it:
https://t.co/jv1wO848YX

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

@dowellndoubtnot @nodoubt @gwenstefani not my thing, I prefer ND when they are full blast + raucous.

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

@victorleshyk @EcossNau @NAU So beautiful 😍

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

@TazBogaCHCH is back, nature is healing!

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

This has been the most challenging year in the best way possible ☀️

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

@embl Congratulations

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

@SynBio1 'land snorkeling' lol

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

For the artistic part, I exported these 3D animations and, using https://t.co/fxyQXYgKMN, created toon shaders that mimicked Quanta's 2D vector style. ✅

I could then set parameters that mimic the look and appeal of reading these animations as flat graphics on our website!

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

Check out this new story at Quanta about quantum geometry - new research about the hidden shapes that underlie the quantum behaviors of a crystal.

I had so much fun producing graphics for this cool story with @shalmawegs and @nattyover.

https://t.co/WcvWOp7UVA

[mark belan | science illustrator + info designer @markabelan]

I needed to show an arrow moving across various surfaces: the position, direction, and perspective of this arrow changes - a lot.

1st I modeled these things in C4D + animated the motion of the arrow across the surface. This was the 'science': accurate motion + geometry ✅