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Visualizing Science transforms complex concepts into visuals that can be understood “at a glance.”

Founded by Fiona Martin in 2005, Visualizing Science partners with authors, publishers, news outlets, gov’t agencies, and communication teams to deliver high-impact science illustrations, data visualizations, maps, and graphic design. Each project is crafted to clarify abstract or complex information, and engage diverse audiences through thoughtful visual storytelling.

HOW FORESTS STORE CARBON
Illustration: Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and turn it into sugars, using the food to grow. This process, called photosynthesis, allows plants to make their own food, storing the carbon in their tissues as they grow roots, branches and leaves. In this way, forests help fight climate change by absorbing and storing carbon pollution that is heating the planet. Big trees store the most carbon because of their mass, and long-lived species such as Douglas fir and red cedar can lock carbon away for centuries. Trees absorb carbon dioxide gas through openings in leaves or needles called stomata. Chloroplasts within leaves and needles use the energy of the sun to split water molecules drawn up through tree roots into hydrogen and oxygen, released through their stomata. Trees and other green plants create the air we breathe, and shelter and nourish life as we know it.
HOW FORESTS STORE CARBON
HUMPBACK WHALES REBOUND
HUMPBACK WHALES REBOUND
CORAL REEFS
Illustration of lion fish
CORAL REEFS
GREEN GOLD
GREEN GOLD
PUGET SOUND’S UNDERWATER FORESTS
Illustration of bull kelp
PUGET SOUND’S UNDERWATER FORESTS
LIFE AFTER THE OSO LANDSLIDE
LIFE AFTER THE OSO LANDSLIDE
GEOLOGY OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
GEOLOGY OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
HOW HEAT PUMPS WORK
HOW HEAT PUMPS WORK
NOAA CLIMATE REPORT
Illustration of young students and adults viewing a 3D globe map of a marine heat wave with elevated sea surface temperatures. Illustration created for an NOAA climate report by Fiona Martin / Visualizing Science.
NOAA CLIMATE REPORT
INVASIVE WALLEYE
INVASIVE WALLEYE
COASTAL UPWELLING
COASTAL UPWELLING
ARE SPIT HOODS SAFE?
Illustration of patient in a spit hood, screaming. Dark blue background abstract green paint.
ARE SPIT HOODS SAFE?
WHO ARE THE ZIZIANS?
WHO ARE THE ZIZIANS?
UNDERWATER TRAIL
UNDERWATER TRAIL
LOG-JAMMING A RIVER
LOG-JAMMING A RIVER
BEAVERS: ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS
BEAVERS: ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS
A GLACIER IN RETREAT
Illustration of Emmons Glacier with labeled features, including what causes the glacier to gain or lose mass. (Fiona Martin / The Seattle Times)
A GLACIER IN RETREAT
ALPINE SPECIES
An illustration of a pika holding a bouquet of alpine wildflowers.
ALPINE SPECIES
BEAR GULCH FIRE
BEAR GULCH FIRE
PINECONE
PINECONE
ADAPTIVE RIDING
Painting of Jason, Belgian draft/quarter horse Malakai, and his adaptive riding team.
ADAPTIVE RIDING
CULTURALLY MODIFIED TREES
CULTURALLY MODIFIED TREES
WATER RESERVOIR
WATER RESERVOIR
URBAN BARRIERS TO SALMON
URBAN BARRIERS TO SALMON
ESA ANNIVERSARY
Feature illustration for Seattle Times story on 50th anniversary of ESA.
ESA ANNIVERSARY
SOUTHWEST DROUGHT FORUM
SOUTHWEST DROUGHT FORUM
FENTANYL OVERDOSE RESPONSE
FENTANYL OVERDOSE RESPONSE
NALAXONE
NALAXONE
NORTHERN STATE HOSPITAL
Map of Northern State Hospital, before it was abandoned. (Fiona Martin / The Seattle Times)
NORTHERN STATE HOSPITAL
PACIFIC NORTHWEST WATER YEAR
PACIFIC NORTHWEST WATER YEAR
VISUALS AS A CATALYST FOR CLIMATE SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Illustration of the Earth's seven spheres, with the anthrosphere having a disproportionate impact on the other six natural domains. Published in Visuals as a Catalyst for Climate Science Communication p. 251.
VISUALS AS A CATALYST FOR CLIMATE SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
CLIMATE DISRUPTS POWER MARKETS
CLIMATE DISRUPTS POWER MARKETS
RESTORATION ECONOMY
RESTORATION ECONOMY
ATMOSPHERIC RIVER FLOODING
Map of Skagit River 100-year floodplain. During atmospheric river flooding in Dec. 2025, evacuation orders were issued for the entire floodplain. Sources: FEMA, Esri. (Map by Fiona Martin / The Seattle Times)
ATMOSPHERIC RIVER FLOODING
WASHINGTON STEELHEAD
WASHINGTON STEELHEAD
JOURNAL OF NATURAL SCIENCE ILLUSTRATION
JOURNAL OF NATURAL SCIENCE ILLUSTRATION
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