Biomedical Visualisation Artworker
Scientific Illustration
3D Biomedical Visualisation
Interactive & XR Design
Branding / Packaging Design
Others
About
Contact
Biomedical Visualisation Artworker
Scientific Illustration
3D Biomedical Visualisation
Interactive & XR Design
Branding / Packaging Design
Others
About
Contact
赖子靖
🙋♀️Hi,
I am an interdisciplinary professional with a background in biotechnology and a strong passion for artistic expression, currently pursuing a Master's in Medical Visualization and Human Anatomy at The Glasgow School of Art. I specialize in 3D modeling, animation, and interactive visualization, transforming complex medical concepts into intuitive and engaging visual narratives.
I am eager to connect with professionals and experts in biomedical visualisation and related fields to explore new ways of crafting impactful visual narratives in biomedical education and communication. Feel free to reach out—I'd love to discuss potential collaborations!
✨ Who I Am ?
I’m Zijing Lai (赖子靖) — you can also call me Mia (牙牙). I’m a biomedical visualisation designer with a background in biotechnology and a deep passion for visual storytelling. Currently, I’m pursuing a Master’s degree in Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy at The Glasgow School of Art, where I specialise in transforming complex biomedical concepts into intuitive, empathetic, and engaging visual experiences through illustration, 3D modelling, animation, and interactive design.
My journey began with a fascination for biology, which led me to study Biotechnology at Sun Yat-sen University. Before I discovered medical visualisation as a career path, I immersed myself in scientific learning—from lab research to pharmaceutical design. I worked in research labs, interned at a medical company, and took part in product design competitions. Each of these experiences helped ground me in the logic, precision, and discipline of biomedical science, and gave me a strong foundation upon which to later build my design practice.
At the same time, a different kind of influence was always present in my life. Growing up in a family involved in advertising, ceramic design, and creative production, I developed a visual sensitivity and a strong sense of communication aesthetics—long before I knew how these would influence my scientific path. At university, I naturally gravitated toward roles in media and public engagement. These weren’t just extracurriculars—they were the early expression of my growing interest in visual storytelling.
It wasn’t until a class assignment in biomedical foundations that everything came together. I was asked to create an anatomical atlas illustration, and I chose to depict a cross-section of the head. I turned to Frank Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy for inspiration and became completely absorbed. Hours passed as I hand-drew every detail, immersed in structure and form. That piece was later selected as an outstanding work—but more importantly, it marked a turning point. I realised for the first time that my love for biology and my passion for artistic expression didn’t have to exist in parallel—they could converge.
Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to becoming a medical visualisation worker. I began actively seeking out opportunities that bridge science and design. I led volunteer design team at a nature education event, interned at the China National Nature Education Network’s product development team, and took part in interdisciplinary communication programs—like the P&G Head & Shoulders scientific communication program, where our team created an interactive scalp model to help explain product mechanisms. These experiences taught me not only technical skills, but also the power of design to make science feel real, tangible, and human.
That conviction became even more personal when I underwent a minimally invasive surgery for a benign ovarian cyst. With my scientific background, I could interpret my own medical reports with relative ease—but my parents, without that knowledge, were consumed by worry. It made me realise how often patients and families suffer not just from illness, but from the fear that comes with not understanding. That moment strengthened my belief in what I do: I want to help transform anxiety into clarity, and confusion into empowerment—through thoughtful, accessible biomedical visuals.
Today, I’ve built a growing portfolio in biomedical visualisation—from scientific illustration to interactive apps and 3D animations. As I enter the final stage of my master’s degree, I’m focusing on my graduation project Cellscope, where I explore how XR technologies can be used to build immersive, story-driven learning environments.
I'm especially inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, whose life and legacy continue to guide me. He once asked: “ What words can you find to describe the whole arrangement [of the heart] as perfectly as is done in this drawing? ... My advice is not to trouble yourself with words unless you are speaking to the blind. ” Like him, I believe that drawing is not merely an accessory to science — it is a form of truth in itself, essential to deep understanding.
He also fiercely criticized those who sought shortcuts in knowledge: “ The abbreviators of works insult both knowledge and love, seeing that the love of something is the offspring of knowledge of it ... It is true that impatience, the mother of stupidity, praises brevity, as if we did not have a whole lifetime in which to acquire complete knowledge of a single subject, such as the human body. ” His words remind me that true learning resists simplification. Visual education, especially in biomedicine, must be built on patience, precision, and respect for complexity, also love.
Looking ahead, I hope to contribute—however modestly—to the growing space of science communication and visual education. I see biomedical visualisation not just as a field, but as a purpose — a way to help others see, understand, and feel less afraid of the unknown.
So, no matter where my work takes me, I continue to ask the same question:
How can I keep walking with patience, precision, and love, to help people see clearly when they feel lost in the unknown?