SCIENTIFIC STORYTELLING & DESIGN

Hi there! I am dr. Maya Schutte, neuroscientist and illustrator. I am passionate about making science more understandable with visuals. I advise researchers on how to more effectively communicate their science by using illustrations and infographics. Because of my combined expertise in academia and design, I bring a unique perspective that allows me to offer insightful guidance when communicating science, ensuring your research is both accurate and engaging.

Previous clients: UMCU, LUMC, Hubrecht Institute, KU Leuven, Erasmus MC.

LET’S MAKE SCIENCE MORE UNDERSTANDABLE WITH VISUALS

Infographics and illustrations are powerful tools for presenting scientific data in grant applications, presentations, and journal articles. Research shows that people remember visuals better than text, and well-designed graphics can enhance comprehension by guiding readers through complex information. In fact, most reviewers first examine the figures in a grant proposal or research article before reading the text. Captivating visuals can grab their attention, making your work more impactful and significantly increasing your chances of securing funding or getting published in top scientific journals.

Would you like to add visuals to your grant proposal, presentation or research article, but do not have any design skills? I am here to help you with:

  • cover designs for books, magazines and phd theses.

  • illustrations & infographics for research articles and grant proposals.

  • powerpoint presentation slides: Do you have an important oral presentation coming up and would you like to leave a lasting impact? Let me help! I will create a custom presentation template and help you to effectively communicate your message by reducing the amount of text on a slide and by adding more visuals.

WHAT I’VE DESIGNED RECENTLY

Ben jij weleens hangry? 🍔 Dat moment waarop je ineens veel sneller geïrriteerd raakt, alles je te veel lijkt, en je zo snel mogelijk een snack naar binnen moet werken. Maar wat gebeurt er eigenlijk in je brein als je zo'n hangry moment hebt? ?
Breaking News! Je hersenen houden je voor de gek. Je brein is geprogrammeerd om negatief nieuws voorrang te geven. Dit helpt ons te overleven, maar deze werking van het brein heeft ook een schaduwkant. Het kan jouw stressniveau onnodig verhogen wann
Wist je dat als je je brein zou uitvouwen, het zo groot zou zijn als een kussensloop? Maar waarom al die plooien? 🤔 Ik leg het je uit! 👉 Conclusie: Gelukkig lijken onze hersenen op een walnoot. Al die rimpels geven ons extra brainpower! #wetensch

After a PhD in neuroscience, I taught myself the principles of design and mastered a variety of design tools along the way, including Procreate, Adobe Fresco, Illustrator, AfterEffects and Photoshop. Scientific storytelling is a fun and creative way to engage a broader audience to understand more about science. I therefore regularly post on Instagram (in Dutch) about the field of neuroscience with everyday examples.

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