CELINE JOY
DELA CRUZ
Science Communicator & Designer
Selected Work
Virus-Host Interactions
Bio Architecture
The Visible Human Project
Art in Science
VisCom in Patient Education
Hobby
About me
CELINE JOY
Science Communicator & DesignerSelected Work
Virus-Host Interactions
Bio Architecture
The Visible Human Project
Art in Science
VisCom in Patient Education
Hobby
About me
Changing Cancer Perceptions
The use of alternative aesthetics in the visual communication of cancer
This Master’s thesis work examines the use and perceptual impact of aesthetics in cancer visualization. This project was done in cooperation with the Dermatologische Klinik, Universitätsspital Zürich.
Prototype: A “Scrollytelling” page was created to break down the cooperation partner’s multi-drug therapy on metastasizing melanoma to make complex biomedical information more accessible to broader audiences and cancer patients.
Abstract: Every year, millions of people receive a cancer diagnosis worldwide. Communicating a complex disease is challenging and can negatively impact a patient's well-being if done poorly. Current visual representations of cancer in media tend to follow an ominous aesthetic, which is often exaggerated to encourage preventative lifestyle changes. However, the constant use of scary imagery paired with aggressive narratives of fighting a “war on cancer” feeds into a sense of fatalism, which may have adverse effects on the welfare and decision-making of patients regarding treatment. Therefore, how can aesthetics improve communication and learning through visuals while remaining considerate of cancer patients? This thesis explores alternative ways to present cancer through visual aesthetics to encourage learning and communication of cancer diagnoses and related treatments without causing further fear. Moreover, investigates how color, lighting, and detail form different aesthetic styles that audiences and patients perceive. Thereby, challenging orthodox perceptions and communication narratives of cancer through aesthetic visualization.
This project took an iterative approach involving image analyses, interviews with biomedical illustrators and cancer patients, illustration experiments, and testings to find and evaluate alternative aesthetics in the visual communication of cancer.
Software: Blender 3D, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Indesign
Skills: 3D modeling, 3D textures and materials, 3D lighting, web design, layout, and design direction