As I come from a humanities background, it was challenging for me to understand the world of natural science in the early days of my job as a science communicator. Unfamiliar jargon. Realism-oriented three-dimensional graphics of cells. Expressions common for natural scientists were not only difficult to understand for me—in fact, they were even alienating.
　 The target recipients of our messages are not limited to science-savvy people. I wanted to publicize the significance of iCeMS’ research and the enthusiasm of its researchers in a manner that effectively speaks to the general audience, including those who are unfamiliar with science. I thought I would be able to express science in a way wider range of people can feel close to it because I knew how it feels to think that “science is not my thing.” That is why I started hand-drawing illustrations to make scientific news reader-friendly.

My artworks for iCeMS press releases are receiving positive feedbacks, and now my efforts to make visuals to attract a wider audience are gaining momentum. A variety of activities have been started, such as exhibitions of science illustration works and the creation of promotional goods. Moreover, I receive requests to create illustration art for scientific journal cover pages, which is a visual tool to aid academic communication between researchers.
　 In the six years working at iCeMS, I have grown my understanding of natural science and widened my range of expression. Still, the passion that I had at the beginning remains the same. Now I understand scientists’ words and feelings, and those of the general public too. It is like being bilingual in two different cultures. I have found my calling as a translator who connects science and the rest of society.