Author: Assata

Assata is a scientific illustrator. She decided to begin her business to promote innovation, discovery, and education through visual communication.
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PherDal At-Home Insemination Kit

Introduction

PherDal is the only fully sterile at-home insemination kit on the market, designed to provide a safe and effective alternative for individuals and couples trying to expand their families. My role in this project involved creating an introductory animation, video editing, infographics for FDA application, and a detailed “How To” video that clearly demonstrated the product’s unique benefits and usage.

The Challenge

PherDal is a unique tool that we needed to show how it stood out from from traditional interuterine insemination (IUI) and other intercervical insemination (ICI) kits by highlighting its unique features and emphasizing its sterility. Clear communication was essential to demonstrate the product’s method of delivery to the cervix, maintaining user safety, and building trust with the intended audience.

Process and Development

To ensure the animations would clearly communicate PherDal’s benefits, I undertook a detailed development process:

  1. Initial Research and Concept Sketches: I researched PherDal’s materials, their social media content, and similar products to understand the existing market. Sketches and initial concepts focused on visual clarity and alignment with PherDal’s brand.
  2. Design Prototypes and Early Animations: Using the initial concepts, I developed prototype animations and mockups. Here, I focused on conveying the product’s sterility, syringe design, and comparison with IUI and ICI options. Early animations included annotations for anatomical accuracy and product detail clarity.
  3. Client Feedback and Iteration: Working closely with Dr. Jenn, I iterated on the animations, incorporating feedback such as model adjustments, highlighting sterility measures, and using realistic models of sperm to demonstrate insemination.

Final Animations and Infographics

1. FDA Clearance Introductory Animation

This animation introduced the product, highlighting PherDal’s unique features like the syringe design and the fully sterile environment. It set the tone for building trust with users and provided essential visuals for FDA clearance. This helped streamline the clearance process, making PherDal one of the first products of its kind to receive FDA approval.

2. Educational Infographics

Infographics are designed to clearly showcase the product’s uniqueness and effectiveness without relying on complex verbal explanations. They emphasize the “conception gap”-the distance between the hope of conceiving and achieving it-and illustrate how PherDal helps individuals bridge this gap. Through simple, engaging visuals, the infographics communicate the product’s sterile, user-friendly, and scientifically-backed approach to conception, making it an accessible and trusted solution for those trying to conceive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj6CK_bjScU

3. How-To Video

The instructional animation provided step-by-step guidance for users on maintaining sterility and correct usage. This video further reinforced PherDal’s safety and efficacy, educating users on its advantages over IUI and other ICI options.

Results and Recognition

These materials not only contributed to PherDal’s FDA clearance but also supported its marketing efforts. Dr. Jenn praised the visuals, noting how they captured the essence of her product and vision. Additionally, PherDal was featured in Time Magazine as one of the Inventions of the Year, in part due to the clarity and appeal of its branding.

Key Takeaways

This project underscored the value of versatile animations in medical device marketing and regulatory approval. Collaborating closely with PherDal’s team enabled me to tailor each visual for multiple uses, from FDA applications to consumer education.

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Procreate vs. Adobe Photoshop – Which is better?

What is the stronger tool to create digital art? The O.G. titan - Adobe Photoshop or the new and creative Procreate?
I tried both, and while both tools have pros and cons, I realized there is definitely a system that works best for me.
So, come hang out in the biostudio with me and listen to how I used both tools and how they can be used by an illustration veteran like me or a new kid trying to cut their teeth in the digital art industry.

PhotoshopProcreate
Mastodon Tooth in Color
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Can you hold your flatulence? The Importance of the Pelvic Floor

Comparative female and male pelvic floor illustrations in English and Swahili

What I learned from a pelvic floor therapist about the importance of taking good care of our pelvic floor.

I recently had the opportunity to meet Brittney Davis, a pelvic floor specialist at Rock Valley Physical Therapy here in North Liberty, Iowa. Our initial meeting stemmed from a maternity project I recently completed. I quickly learned that care of the pelvic floor goes way beyond those who are currently pregnant or have ever carried a child.

Pelvic care has become a more significant part of the natal and post-partum care conversation, but as it turns out, a weak pelvic floor can affect men as well as all women!

Any chronic pressure on the pelvic floor can affect how strong our pelvic floor will be as we age. I was surprised to learn many of our “normal” habits and things we consume could be causing issues with our bladder and colon, affecting the pelvic floor. We ignore many of the indicators of problems because no one told us these are symptoms that could result in problems in our later years. A few of those signs are the inability to hold a fart, feeling frequent urgency to pee, being constipated, or having chronic loose bowels. These indicators could lead to problems such as rectal prolapse, incontinence, and erectile dysfunction in men.

Of course, I brought my pelvis illustrations with me when I met with Brittney to get the input of a specialist, and I am delighted to report that she found them very well done and well-researched. This was important to me because while I was researching the pelvis and trying to create something understandable of the web of muscles, ligaments, and tendons, I quickly learned that most women, myself included, only knew an area hurt. There was no name for the location – just an indicator of pain. I used this information to learn what pains women often experience, what the pain felt like, and interpreted the best-associated muscle. While my illustrations do not show every single muscle in the pelvic floor, I have illustrated and annotated the most significant regarding pain and strengthening.

  • Comparative female and male pelvic floor illustrations in English and Swahili
  • In progress pelvic floor illustration problem-solving annotation location.
  • In progress Illustration of the male and female pelvic floors.

The pelvic floor for the post-partum woman:

Let’s start where we know the pelvic floor has suffered trauma and why I created these illustrations – pregnancy.
Whether it was a vaginal birth or a c-section, the pelvic floor has had to support a significant accumulating weight for over 9 months! Like any other part of the body, that means there is wear and literal tear. Brittney supports a 2-week post-partum check-in to start new mothers on recovery – the sooner you start, the better. This is the time to check how the vulva and vagina are healing and check for diastasis recti abdominous (DRA) – the separation of the abdominal muscles.

The 6-week check-in is to check scars: test mobility and begin vaginal stretching. Brittney emphasized the importance of having a therapist help with vaginal stretching rather than a significant other because of the psychological response that could significantly affect future intimacy, highlighting the importance of proper care of a mother’s body to make sure an individual continues having the best quality of life including protecting their mental health.

Check-ups include advising cognitive load, tips on nutrition, and additional information on hormonal effects like breastfeeding. If a new mother is breastfeeding, the relaxin can increase joint mobility, causing pelvic pain and increasing the potential of an injury. These hormone changes can also cause anxiety and reduce an individual’s spatial awareness, making them more accident-prone. Loose joints and accidents are a fast and avoidable trip to the hospital!

Anatomical cross-section of a pregnant female torso.

Not every woman gives birth – but what about menopause?

As we get older, we lose muscle tone and skin elasticity. Our skin loses its plumpness; with that, we can lose our ability to hold our pee. The number of women who are dependent on their tissues to help their sphincters hold steady is staggering, and things like office jobs and sitting with poor posture can slowly damage our pelvic floor.

A physical therapist like Brittney can teach better posture and help develop good stretching habits to save your urethra’s sphincter in the future.

Anatomical cross-section of the female torso.

Men too?

Men can also have a damaged or weakened pelvic floor due to poor bowel habits, obesity, prostate surgery, or even repeated poor form when lifting heaving things. They can also develop bladder and bowel incontinence and erectile dysfunction.

Anatomical cross-section of the male torso.

Like exercising our hearts with cardio or lifting weights to build strong muscle and bone, we must also develop healthy habits to keep a solid pelvic floor.

Practice healthy eating habits to support regular bowel movements, learn proper bathroom form, and practice better posture. These little habits can help prevent problems, but when you feel pain – go to a physical therapist.

I urge all of us to start talking.

Talk about your pelvic discomfort, painful sex, and bowel habits. Part of the reason people are just living with their pain is because we have normalized it. We tell women to “try to relax” or “have a glass of wine.” Many things like this are chalked up to aging when they could have been helped or prevented.

Talking with Brittney opened my eyes to how much we neglect one of the most essential parts of our body – the part that helps bring life into the world, keeps us mobile, and keeps us comfortable and confident as we go through life.

Could a pelvic floor specialist be for you?

Brittney’s expertise on women’s health and pelvic floor care urged me to tell every woman I know (pregnant or not) to consider googling pelvic floor specialists in their area (and there are many!) and consider going to a pelvic floor therapist to enjoy the freedom of a strong pelvic floor.

While Brittney does her job helping people, my illustrations help professionals like Brittney better serve their clients by aiding pelvic floor education, increasing care, and self-advocacy.

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Going to a Museum? Bring a Sketchbook!

My favorite museum activities as an illustrator and why I can easily spend an entire day exploring even the smallest natural history museum.

Recently, my husband and I went on a museum tour. We hopped on a bus with other members of the Cedar Valley Rocks and Minerals Society and went to the University of Wisconsin Madison Geology Museum and the Burpee Museum of Natural History. It was an exquisite day with many things to look at, a few new things to see, and a long bus ride, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. So, what does an illustrator do at the museum?

Assata and Ben at the Geology Museum
Assata and Ben at the Geology Museum

Assata standing next to Glyptodon
Assata standing next to Glyptodon

 

 

 

 

 

I have always enjoyed museums, particularly science and natural history museums.

When I was growing up, there was a natural history museum at the local university, and I could spend my whole day there. My favorite activity was sitting in front of the exhibit, taking everything in. I could stand at the same display for an hour, looking at every little thing, from the background painting to the littlest grain of sand or blade of grass. Everything was strategically placed to create a natural-looking environment. When I got older, I started bringing a sketchbook with me and would draw the exhibits. I would also copy the exhibit plaques. This practice was a great lesson in design and user experience early on. I have continued this activity into my adulthood, and I was fortunate enough to marry an individual who also enjoys going to museums and, most importantly, tolerates waiting for me while I would sit at the same exhibit for over an hour, sketching various things. That’s what I call love!

Ben with the Dunkleosteus cast
Ben with the Dunkleosteus cast

At the geology museum, I enjoyed the skeletal structures the most. Many of the skeletons were models with a few actual fossils—like legs, maybe a jaw. My absolute favorite thing to look at is the art!

Pterodactylus Replica

Line drawing, plaques, paintings, and annotated anatomy illustrations. Some images give greater detail on the anatomy of the fossilized structure, and others provide an understanding of habitat and habits that have been long lost to time.

Ground Sloth with Painted Background
Ground Sloth with Painted Background

Ground Sloth Info Page
Ground Sloth Info Page

Dienotherium Skull with painted background
Dienotherium Skull with painted background

My museum system
I like to take a lap first!

This allows me and my husband to enjoy the museum together. We take photos, ask each other questions, and enjoy the museum experience together. After the first lap, that’s when we tend to split up. I will have found something I want to sketch while my husband wanders around the museum.

 

 

 

 

 

Colony of Crinoids

At universities, students will occasionally work on things in back rooms and allow visitors to stop by and take a look!

Assata SketchingAssata's SketchI enjoy museum sketching because it reminds me of being in a studio. I always enjoyed the beginning of a project because we would have a sketching day or thumbnail day, allowing us time to move around and look at our subjects from different perspectives. The goal is to find an interesting view that gives a lot of information and allows us to create a communicative piece of artwork. This freedom to push the boundaries of perspective feels like stretching my brain by giving me a little exercise in composition, ingenuity, and creativity.

At the Burpee Museum of Natural History, we follow the same protocol of going around all the exhibits on all three floors!

 

 

 

 

 

T Rex at Burpee Museum Tiktaalik model and skeletal cast

 

 

 

 

 

We take pictures as we go, discuss, and enjoy. On this trip, we traveled with a group, so we got to engage with more people who all have their own special interests. That, in itself, was a wonderful experience. On the top floor of the Burpee Museum, there is an experience room primarily for children, with reptiles and amphibians!

This area is where I chose to sit for my sketch at the end of our excursion, sketching a gecko named Chip.

One of the most fun parts of drawing living, breathing things is observing them interacting with their environment and, if you’re lucky, with you! My favorite part of sketching Chip was that he seemed to know that I was there just observing him, so after he had checked me out, making sure that I wasn’t a predator trying to harm him, he took up a pose toward the back of his terrarium. I could see his entire body nicely splayed out, displaying all his beautiful colors, limbs, and toes. He would periodically tilt his head around to look at me as if saying, “Does this pose work for you? Is it good? Do you like this? I can move if you’d like.“

I know many people go to museums for different reasons, but for me, going to museums and bringing a sketchbook and a collection of pens allows me to play and have fun! The freedom to create as I want brings back the nostalgia of drawing to draw. Plus, I get to practice my technical skills.

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Episode 3: Dr. Caldwell – Dentist and Community Supporter

Allow me to introduce one of the most influential people in my life and my community, Dr. Caldwell, or as I know her, Mom.
Dr. Caldwell has been practicing dentistry for over 35 years, and that experience goes beyond oral healthcare.

For many of us, this year has ripped off the rose-colored glasses and exposed America’s reality.

In this episode, we discuss starting her practice, healthcare, the Black Lives Matter movement, being a community hub, and the intertwining of politics throughout her career.
Take a listen and let me share with you one of the most fearless women I know.

Stay safe, wear a mask, and go vote!

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SmileDentalCenterSign
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Episode 2: Iowa MOST (Miles Of Smiles Team)

Cleft lip, palate, and more! What Rotary is doing about it.

I enjoyed talking with my fellow Rotarian, Deb Dunkhase, about one of Rotary's most impactful projects. Deb is the project leader of IowaMOST (Miles of Smiles Team) and shared with me a little about what they do, why they do it, and some of the stories that stayed with her.
Take a listen!

Deb Dunkhase

If you are interested in donating, volunteering, or learning more, go to:
https://iowamost.org and Like them on Facebook!

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The Unique Case of Sinistra

Comparison of Sinistra and Dextra - Morphology and mobility
In early December of 2019, Dr. Maurine Neiman invited me to the Neiman Lab at the University of Iowa, where I had the honor of observing a remarkable once in a lifetime mutation of the Potamopyrgus antipodarum, a species of freshwater snail native to New Zealand.  

Upon reaching the lab, Dr. Neiman told me that they had found a one in a million find and wanted to have it illustrated and archived. They didn’t feel comfortable putting this snail asleep to get photographs because the anesthesia could kill her. The discovery was a female snail which they named Sinistra due to her left-oriented shell (https://uiowa.edu/stories/marissa-roseman-research-discovery). Sinistra had a genetic twin, Dextra, whom I was able to use to compare Sinistra. Dextra would be my control, and I will identify her in this blog as the “standard” morphology of Potamopygrus antipodarum. My original goal was to compare and contrast Sinistra’s and Dextra’s morphologies.   

Dextra observation sketch for shell shape, color, and other details
Dextra Observation Sketch
Sinistra Morphology Sketch
Sinistra Morphology Sketch
Upon initial observation, Sinistra had a whorl projection to the left rather than to the right, which is the standard projection of a whorl. Sinistra also had a curvier roundness to her shell body and a kind of fringe towards the mantle’s edge, while Dextra’s shell was more angular, and had a ridge along the shell body and whorl.

While watching Sinistra, I also noticed her movements and observed that Sinistra’s mobility seemed to be awkward and hindered. Most snails move rather smoothly by contracting their foot muscle, and this allows very smooth movement forward. Sinistra seemed to struggle and had to wiggle around a lot to be able to move forward.  

Sinistra Sketches
Sinistra Sketches
Mobility sketch comparing Sinistra and Dextra after observing the two snails.
Mobility Sketch Comparing Sinistra and Dextra

My hypothesis was Sinistra’s mobility issue was due to her shell. Sinistra’s shell seemed to be cumbersome to her, and this was particularly evident when Sinistra was placed on her back and struggled to flip back over as quickly as her counterpart Dextra.

Original sketch and idea page brought to Dr. Neiman.
Initial Brainstorming
After several hours of observation, I created a shell comparison of Sinistra and Dextra focused on the color, shape, and form of their shells.

I was given access to an archive of photographs and videos of Sinistra and Dextra for repetitive and slower viewing. I first watched footage of Sinistra walking on repeat in slow motion. While scrubbing through the footage, I was able to see Sinistra turn and lift her shell on top of her body before starting to move and kept it raised during her spurts of movement. 

If the reduced mobility was genuinely due to the shell, I needed to get a numerical comparison for Sinistra’s and Dextra’s shells!

I used archived footage to see both snails profile views, which I measured and sketched. From those sketches, I compared the snails’ height, shell slope, and apex projection.

The difference in shell height was obvious. 
To measure angles, I downloaded the app AngleMeter.

In the app, I was able to download my illustrations and place the digital compass on the slope measuring the most top point of the apex. To measure the apex projection, I used the tip of the nose for the anchor point and had the projection mark on the very tip of the whorl. 

Measurements of Sinistra and Dextra using the app Angle Meter
Measurements taken with the app Angle Meter

I observed:

Sinistra had a taller height than Dextra

Sinistra’s slope was more severe at 18 degrees, as Dextra’s slope was 6 degrees.  

Sinistra’s apex projection was more severe than Dextra’s as 25 degrees, while Dextra’s was 23 degrees.  

These measurements prove that Sinistra’s shell was significantly different than Dextra’s and certainly made flipping over from her back more difficult.

The hight and angles put Sinistra higher up from the ground and made it harder for her to reach and find enough balance to flip back over. Due to the largeness to her shell and odd angles, I suspect simply for comfort, Sinistra lifted her shell to allow a little more freedom to move.  

Sinistra was a remarkable find, and her existence shows another example of the impact of genetics and their mutations.

Why a poster?

Initially, we wanted to archive Sinistra’s existence, but our scope had grown. Dr. Neiman and I decided a poster would be an effective way to show what I had deduced regarding Sinistra’s mobility and provide the lab with something special to commemorate such a find!
A poster tells a story. What was our story?
My collaboration with the Neiman lab was almost purely visual. My notes were mainly sketches, and my research was done in person and with video footage provided by the lab. We wanted our communication to reflect that.

A poster would tell the story!

My story timeline:
– Comparison
– Mobility
– Hypothesis
– Research Results

The poster needed to reflect my timeline in some way, so I started sketching out the poster format with my timeline of discovery in mind.

Snail poster layout idea 1
Snail Poster Layout Idea 1
Snail Poster Layout Idea 2
Snail Poster Layout Idea 2

The first one showed my timeline in reverse, displaying the mobility and research first, but I didn’t like the line drawings on top. I actively wanted to use the poster to display Sinistra.

The final poster was 18″x24″, laminated, and is now affixed to a wall in the Neiman Lab.

Comparison of Sinistra and Dextra - Morphology and mobility
Comparison of Sinistra and Dextra created for Dr. Neiman at the University of Iowa.

I was 22 the last time I worked in a lab. It was particularly nostalgic and rewarding to collaborate in such a way to contribute to Sinistra’s research. Sinistra has since passed, so knowing I helped visually record her moment in time has been a unique and humbling experience within itself.

Click here for more information on the Neiman Lab and Sinistra.

Be sure to follow Dr. Neiman on twitter @mneiman for more snail updates!

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Did You Wash Your Hands?

Everyone has written an article about how to wash your hands and why it's crucial.

We don't have anything to add.
At LEGACY BioStudios, LLC, we hope you and yours stay healthy, and we have a gift for you:

Here is a free poster for you to download (regular letter-sized) and hang up at your place of work, home, or leave on a bulletin board.

IMG_5503
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How Illustration Found Me: How I Founded LEGACY BioStudios, LLC

When I introduce myself, people often ask, “How did you end up in this line of work?”

My story is long, but I think it brings to light why I love the work I do so much and how LEGACY BioStudios, LLC came to be.

I grew up in my family’s dental clinic, and it was indeed a family business.

My mom was the dentist, and my dad was the clerk/janitor/Assata wrangler, and when I got older, I helped out however I could.
I was a rambunctious child that tore everything apart and drew on paper and everything else. I took apart toys, furniture, and at one point, part of a wall. My reasonings were, “I wanted to see what was inside!” My mom decided that I wasn’t destructive to misbehave, but because I was a naturally curious individual. Rather than punishing me, she gave me her old medical books to look at and color to feed my curiosity. I call this the beginning of my interest. I loved those books and all the stuff I learned, but I never really thought about who made the pictures. They were just there.

Selfie with Dental Anatomy Poster, Dr. Caldwell, and Me
First selfie with the 1st print of the the Dental Anatomy Poster in it’s first home, Dr. Caldwell’s Dental Office.

I grew up thinking I was going to become a dentist, like my mom. I loved biology and medicine, and I had a great appreciation for preventative healthcare, but I also enjoyed the interactions my mom had with her patients. She had a way of being not only a dentist but also a friend and an advisor. She was always trying to stay involved in our community to the point that she had a wall that people covered in flyers and handouts about events, rallies, and support systems. I called it her “wall of civil disobedience.” I wanted that. That thing that made kids grow up and come back saying my mom was the reason they were inspired to go to college or families telling me she was their hero because she helped them figure out what resources were available to them when they were out of work.

I later decided that I loved health, but I didn’t want to be a dentist.

I also had a love for conservation and natural resources. I wanted to have a positive impact on people on a larger scale.

I went to college, and for a while, I wanted to be an engineer. I liked the problem-solving aspects, but it wasn’t a good fit. I decided to go back to my roots and take some drawing classes. We drew mostly on paper, not so much on walls, but I liked how natural it felt. I didn’t feel like I was forcing myself to fit in or conform; I felt comfortable just sitting down and drawing. What happened next, I like to call the emerging of the BPMI (Biological PreMedical Illustration) Wizard.

Human Skull

I think all BPMI students have a similar story of recruitment.

A man walks into the class and walks around. He doesn’t talk to everyone, but when he does, it’s either to tell you your work has potential or should be burned (real statement). This man came to my spot and after taking my seat and looking at my drawing of boxes, told me to look into BPMI. After that, he just walked out of the room like a wise wizard. A girl sitting next to me told me to listen to the man because he knew what he was talking about, so I did, and by 3 pm that afternoon, I had officially transferred programs.

Dog Skull

Biological PreMedical Illustration is a program offered by Iowa State, and it is remarkably small. The first semester of work, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up because the courses covered everything from plants to animals to microbes and genetics, but I loved it. The classes were phenomenal, and I knew that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was going to be a scientific and medical illustrator.

I found my career, but I needed my own “wall of civil disobedience.”

After graduating and experiencing starting a business, I finally found my wall. While my mother worked one on one, I found, with the help of Rotary, there were individuals, startups, small businesses, companies, and nonprofits that were trying to make a difference on a larger, scale and that quality communication was necessary to work with a wide reach. I wanted to assist that communication and use my expertise to make it as easy and effective as I could for everyone. I created LEGACY BioStudios, LLC, to do just that.

So, what does that mean for you?

My work stems from a need to know and understand everything fully. I am not only an artist, but I am also a researcher and scientist. This diligentness means I will do the research and take the time to understand your story thoroughly, to best advocate for you. The work you are doing is essential and valuable, shouldn’t your illustrations and animations reflect that time and hard work? That is why I call it LEGACY; that is what you are creating.

Everyone has an origin story, and I hope you enjoyed mine. If you want to learn more or tell me your own story, connect with me on LinkedIn, or email me directly.