Peter, well stated. A "cultural hangover" . . . yes; a cultural/technological time lag between what HAS BEEN and what currently IS. It is a constant challenge, for all of us, to keep our cerebral databases updated. Some would state it as, "Get with the program!" [smiling].
There has never been a time when visual-image-support was more affordable, more readily obtainable, or more easily editable.
Dear David,
Thanks for remarking on this. Part of the problem may lie in the fact that illustration seems to be regarded as an afterthought or secondary priority in most research publishing. Personally I believe that a large proportion of research papers are under-illustrated or poorly illustrated. Perhaps part of the blame lies in a lack of guidance from journals on the matter.
In the past, illustration was more expensive, due to the expensive printing processes required. Now, even for print editions, the costs are much lower than previously, but there remains a kind of cultural hangover that resists using illustration unless 'absolutely required', even though much of the text that we write is also not 'absolutely required'.
I am surprised that only two science writers, authors, or researchers have made use of this forum "Illustration - REQUESTS" to seek assistance from the experienced scientific/medical illustrators who are members of The Research Cooperative.
This forum was created on June 10, 2008 . . . and to date May 6, 2012 there have been only two posts in this forum.
Surely, there are members of The Research Cooperative who are in need of trained and experienced scientific/medical illustrators for projects in-progress or projects being planned.
Writers, authors and researchers . . . you might very well be missing out on this opportunity that is right here before you.
