Graham Johnson's Pricing and Sketch Template WorkFlow

The author can make changes to the artist's sketch either on the computer with a painting program like Photoshop, they may print the file, mark it and fax it back to Graham, or they may prefer to describe the corrections in a detailed email or via phone. The correx below were made by the artist during a phone conversation. This may be the most efficient method for authors uncomfortable with drawing, but the communication time will cost a bit more in the end. Click image or text link to view at full-size.

This image represents a 1st draft artitst's sketch showing all labels and proteins to approximate final scale and color. Depending on the complexity of your project, you may receive a simple pencil sketch, or a detailed rendering. More complicated projects require more sketching and revision time up front as changes are difficult and consequently expensive to make on final renderings. Click image or text link to view at full-size.

In the mock final below, the artist has made a mistake in labeling while translating the final sketch into the final rendering. The artist edits such a correction for free. the other requested corrections were charged correction time as they should have been addressed by the client during the sketching stage. On figures of scientific significance like this, the artist will strive for perfection and will pause to ask questions as you can see in the full sized image. Editorial images usually require more artistic license and the client should expect to give the artist some extra freedoms in exchange for less back/forth communication. Click image or text link to view at full-size.

This second sketch is the client's last chance to make reasonable changes for free. While you may see a lot of blue notes below, these are all easy to apply as the sketch is translated into a final rendering. Changes made by the client after this stage will cost correction time, so please take your time at this stage to make sure all labels, sizes, shapes, colors, etc. are satisfactory. Click image or text link to view at full-size.

Your invoice will be a duplicate of your contract with estimated times replaced with final hours. Any additional work will also be billed at this time and according to the appropriate scale. Note the example below has both educational and commercial rates applied. Click image or text link to view at full-size.

The artist will create a final sketch with a small portion rendered to represent the final style. The client must use a bit of imagination to visualize the style applied to the entire sketch. In this case, actual protein data will replace most of the blue, green and purple sketch blobs and the grey coiled-coils. Click image or text link to view at full-size.

Why does it cost so much? Accredited medical illustrators provide a service that few people in the world can offer. We hold masters degrees in medical and biological illustration as well as undergraduate degrees in biology and art (from expensive medical schools like Johns Hopkins.) We study anatomy, histology, etc. with the first year medical students, and hence bring a wealth of information along with a fresh perspective to your project. We don't just draw pretty pictures, but add scientifically significant content to a piece, research the subject matter, and illustrate it in a manner that clarifies the content you wish to highlight for your particular audience. Graham works on an $18,000 computer system with $15,000 worth of software both of which require upgrading on a 2-4 year cycle. Lastly, medical illustrators are generally cheaper/hour than your plumber, so please keep that in mind when you receive your bid. In most cases, you're illustration or animation will draw attention to your research and will serve you for many years.

Is medical illustration expensive? Unless you've hired a professional illustrator before, you may be surprised by the costs involved. Graham Johnson Medical Media prices range from $60/hour for non-profit educational and scientifically significant work to $220/hour for commercial 3D animation. Prices may in fact double if the client requires a "rush" job where the project is due in a less than reasonable amount of time. If you want a quick but large ballpark, I've done spot illustrations for as little as $200. journal covers ranging from $900 to $4,000, and animations ranging from $200 to $18,000.

Why charge on a sliding scale? While I enjoy drawing for drawing's sake, I strive to contribute to human understanding of scientific knowlege. I'm pursuing a PhD in molecular biology as an extention of my current abilities and in my professional work offer a cheaper rate to members of the pure science community to allow my client and I to develop novel visualizations. My commercial clients are charged a more standard medical art rate to help subsidize this career hobby.

Please describe your research in 2-3 succinct sentences:

Describe your target audience (med school students, experts in the field, sixth grade education level, etc.):

Describe the goal of your project. Do you want to provide an eye-popping overview of your subject matter, or describe a very specific domain function in your favorite protein, i.e., how much artistic licence will I have?:

When do you need the final piece(s)? Please don't tell me the actual date of your presentation or date that the file must be received by the publisher, create an internal deadline at least one week earlier than the real deadline. You'll want a buffer to allow for last minute changes, mailing, file compatibility issues with archaic publishing houses, etc...buffer for the unexpected!!!

If you're hiring me for animation work, how long do you want the final piece? Do you want me to add music or narration?

Often the best approach to an ambiguous editorial piece is to provide me with a budget cap then trust in my portfolio and my experiece to provide the best product I can. If you provide such a cap, I will return your bid with a handful of sketched options to explore the possible uses of your money:

In a few days I'll post PDF files that clients can download and fill out to introduce them to the process of working with Graham Johnson Medical Media and to introduce me to their project. In the mean time, roll over each of the text links to the immediate left to view each page of the future .pdf file. The templates will provide a step by step guide to help us work through your project.

Thanks,
Graham

Your payment is expected within two weeks of delivery of the final product and simultaneous invoice. You may be charged, if the check is delayed, up to an additional 10% per week according to related declarations made in your contract. If you expect a great deal of red tape to process a purchase order through your department, please initiate this process as soon as the contract is signed and the project started. Your diligence in prodding accounts payable is much appreciated. Click image or text link to view at full-size.