Skip to Content

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.

Click on any thumbnail below to explore.

FUSION ENERGY
Helion's fusion might power Microsoft data centers
FUSION ENERGY
HOW FORESTS CAPTURE 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 CAPTURE CARBON
PINK SALMON BOOM
PINK SALMON BOOM
ICE ARRESTS BY SEATTLE FIELD OFFICE
Multi-chart graphic showing that several northwest counties and municipalities saw a sharp increase in ICE arrests following the start of President Trump's second term, including King, Clark, Whatcom, and Yakima Counties in Washington; Multnomah, Marion, and Washington Counties in Oregon, and Anchorage municipality.
ICE ARRESTS BY SEATTLE FIELD OFFICE
WHO ARE THE ZIZIANS?
WHO ARE THE ZIZIANS?
LIFE AFTER THE OSO LANDSLIDE
LIFE AFTER THE OSO LANDSLIDE
ELECTION AND POLITICAL GRAPHICS
ELECTION AND POLITICAL GRAPHICS
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
GEOLOGY OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
Geologist Nick Zentner inspects a roadside cut near Granger, Washington. He is standing on cobbles transported by the ancient Columbia River. The vertical wall is composed of ice age flood deposits and windblown loess—ideal for growing crops like grapes and wheat. (Illustration by Fiona Martin / The Seattle Times)
GEOLOGY OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
BEAR GULCH FIRE
Map of Bear Gulch Fire on August 22, 2025
BEAR GULCH FIRE
ICE ARRESTS, DETENTIONS, AND DEPORTATIONS
A map shows percentages of ICE arrests with no criminal history, state by state.
ICE ARRESTS, DETENTIONS, AND DEPORTATIONS
URBAN BARRIERS TO SALMON
A screen recording shows how readers can follow a salmon's journey while scrolling down an urban stream, encountering various barriers on the way. (Illustrations by Fiona Martin / The Seattle Times)
URBAN BARRIERS TO SALMON
ARE SPIT HOODS SAFE?
Illustration of patient in a spit hood, screaming. Dark blue background abstract green paint.
ARE SPIT HOODS SAFE?
HOW HEAT PUMPS WORK
HOW HEAT PUMPS WORK
GREEN GOLD
GREEN GOLD
HUMPBACK WHALES REBOUND
HUMPBACK WHALES REBOUND
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
CULTURALLY MODIFIED TREES
CULTURALLY MODIFIED TREES
PUGET SOUND’S UNDERWATER FORESTS
Illustration of bull kelp
PUGET SOUND’S UNDERWATER FORESTS
CORAL REEFS
Illustration of lion fish
CORAL REEFS
BOEING DOOR PLUG BLOWOUT
BOEING DOOR PLUG BLOWOUT
THE POWER OF A LOGJAM
THE POWER OF A LOGJAM
BEAVERS: ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS
BEAVERS: ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS
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
NOAA & NIDIS CLIMATE REPORTS
Samples from the 2015 and 2016 NOAA Climate Program Office Annual Reports (Design, photo selection, and graphics by Fiona Martin / Visualizing Science.)
NOAA & NIDIS CLIMATE REPORTS
OLD-GROWTH AND LEGACY FORESTS
Map of old-growth, legacy, and younger forests, and land managed by Washington's Department of Natural Resources. Most of the old-growth is concentrated in protected federal parks.
OLD-GROWTH AND LEGACY FORESTS
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
Feature illustration for Seattle Times story on 50th anniversary of ESA.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
JEFFREY PINE CONE
JEFFREY PINE CONE
ADAPTIVE RIDING
Painting of Jason, Belgian draft/quarter horse Malakai, and his adaptive riding team.
ADAPTIVE RIDING
HOW LEAD AND CADMIUM GET INTO CHOCOLATE
HOW LEAD AND CADMIUM GET INTO CHOCOLATE
RESTORATION ECONOMY
RESTORATION ECONOMY
SOUTHWEST DROUGHT FORUM
SOUTHWEST DROUGHT FORUM
ISLAND MARBLE BUTTERFLY
ISLAND MARBLE BUTTERFLY
FUSELAGE ASSEMBLY
FUSELAGE ASSEMBLY
CLIMATE DISRUPTS POWER MARKETS
CLIMATE DISRUPTS POWER MARKETS
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
Load More