In creating this patient guide "What Are Brain Tumours?" for Brain Tumour Support NZ, I utilized a combination of specialized skills to effectively communicate complex medical information to a broad audience:

  • Medical Illustration: I crafted detailed and accurate visuals depicting brain anatomy and tumor characteristics, ensuring clarity and precision in representing medical concepts.

  • Storyboarding: Using the script written by Professor Neal Curtis, I created storyboards and thumbnails to break down the information into comic panels. This required understanding how the information would flow, how many panels to use for each section of the script, and what storytelling elements and characters to create and illustrate.

  • Graphic Medicine: By integrating visual storytelling with medical information, I translated intricate health topics into accessible and engaging content, making it easier for readers to understand.

  • Educational Content Development: I structured the information logically, breaking down complex subjects into digestible segments to facilitate learning and retention.

  • Visual Communication: Through the use of color, layout, and design elements, I enhanced the readability and appeal of the content, guiding the audience through the material seamlessly.

  • Empathy and Sensitivity: Recognizing the emotional weight of the topic, I approached the project with care, ensuring the content was informative yet considerate of the audience's potential experiences and feelings.

These combined skills enabled me to create a resource that is both informative and approachable, effectively conveying essential information about brain tumors to those seeking understanding.

“Although I have only been working with Janina for a short time, I already hold her in the highest regard. We came into contact when I put out a call for artists interested to work with academics looking to translate their research into comics. I was immediately drawn to her ‘Miss Diabetes’ work which is vibrant and engaging but also demonstrates a keen understanding of visual communication. The variety of the work, as well as its concision and communicative power made me feel that Janina was someone I wanted to work with.”

- Professor Neal Curtis, University of Auckland