July 25, 2016

Google Logo Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAm

The Women and the Science

Rachel Ignotofsky tells the stories of 50 women in science in her fantastic new science art book

By Katie McKissick

KATIE MCKISSICK

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

 

Prepare yourself for a seriously awesome addition to your science bookshelf -- Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World. This book is everything a feminist science art nerd like myself could possibly want. It features 50 famous and should-be-famous women in science, with understandable descriptions of their work bathed in thematic science doodles. It is perfection.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Did I take a picture of my dog reading this book? You bet I did. Why wouldn't I? Credit: KATIE MCKISSICK

Each scientist has her own page spread with a portrait on the left and biography on the right. Ignotofsky does a beautiful job blending information and artwork to create a cohesive look for each page that summarizes and celebrates their accomplishments. She also utilizes color beautifully in this charcoal grey book: each page uses a different hue to quite literally highlight the story of the scientist.

The book also features an illustrated glossary to round out the educational nature of this truly wonderful book.

Ignotofsky hopes her first book will “inspire girls and women to follow their passions and dreams,” and she urges her readers to “go out and tackle new problems, find your answers, and learn everything you can to make your own discoveries!” Indeed!

Find more of Ignotofsky’s works at her website, www.rachelignotofskydesign.com.

Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism

Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.

When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.

Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber

Thank you,

Jeanna Bryner, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe