mark belan | science illustrator + info designer
@markabelan.bsky.social
telling science stories with the power of visuals✨ a little bit of this and that, too
🧳 Graphics Editor | Quanta Magazine
🎓 MScBMC, MScGeochem/Astrobio
🎨 Founder of artscistudios
📍 NYC | 🇨🇦🇭🇷
https://linktr.ee/artscistudios
🧳 Graphics Editor | Quanta Magazine
🎓 MScBMC, MScGeochem/Astrobio
🎨 Founder of artscistudios
📍 NYC | 🇨🇦🇭🇷
https://linktr.ee/artscistudios
THE MANY SHAPES OF BACTERIA
#science #infographic #art #sciart #bacteria #microbiology #bacterium #scientificart #biology
#science #infographic #art #sciart #bacteria #microbiology #bacterium #scientificart #biology
November 12, 2025 at 4:23 PM
THE MANY SHAPES OF BACTERIA
#science #infographic #art #sciart #bacteria #microbiology #bacterium #scientificart #biology
#science #infographic #art #sciart #bacteria #microbiology #bacterium #scientificart #biology
VISUALIZING THE BIOMASS OF LIFE
🐛🦉🐟🐸🐐🐌🍄🦚🐙🐍🦑🐢🦂🦧🌴
#biomass #science #infographic #art #sciart #dataviz #datavisualization #biology
🐛🦉🐟🐸🐐🐌🍄🦚🐙🐍🦑🐢🦂🦧🌴
#biomass #science #infographic #art #sciart #dataviz #datavisualization #biology
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 PM
VISUALIZING THE BIOMASS OF LIFE
🐛🦉🐟🐸🐐🐌🍄🦚🐙🐍🦑🐢🦂🦧🌴
#biomass #science #infographic #art #sciart #dataviz #datavisualization #biology
🐛🦉🐟🐸🐐🐌🍄🦚🐙🐍🦑🐢🦂🦧🌴
#biomass #science #infographic #art #sciart #dataviz #datavisualization #biology
In Sept, Quanta Magazine published a special issue on the science of climate change. We spent a lot of time curating 9 climate stories that span technology, microbiology, math, and more.
I made these 9 planetary models that reflect each story. Check it here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-we-came-...
I made these 9 planetary models that reflect each story. Check it here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-we-came-...
November 10, 2025 at 5:03 PM
In Sept, Quanta Magazine published a special issue on the science of climate change. We spent a lot of time curating 9 climate stories that span technology, microbiology, math, and more.
I made these 9 planetary models that reflect each story. Check it here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-we-came-...
I made these 9 planetary models that reflect each story. Check it here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-we-came-...
A thing I keep noticing in science papers/talks lately is that graphics are being used to show data, not story.
Silently wishing more visual resources were spent showing *how* systems and processes actually operate, rather than merely offering graphs and charts that confirm they occur.
Silently wishing more visual resources were spent showing *how* systems and processes actually operate, rather than merely offering graphs and charts that confirm they occur.
November 5, 2025 at 5:55 PM
A thing I keep noticing in science papers/talks lately is that graphics are being used to show data, not story.
Silently wishing more visual resources were spent showing *how* systems and processes actually operate, rather than merely offering graphs and charts that confirm they occur.
Silently wishing more visual resources were spent showing *how* systems and processes actually operate, rather than merely offering graphs and charts that confirm they occur.
Algonquin vibes 🇨🇦
August 23, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Algonquin vibes 🇨🇦
ahh, the joys of reuniting with my studio PC after 8 months 🥲 #makersmagic
a picture of a man holding a razor with the words " theroseinthedarkness.tumblr " below it
ALT: a picture of a man holding a razor with the words " theroseinthedarkness.tumblr " below it
media.tenor.com
August 18, 2025 at 2:52 PM
ahh, the joys of reuniting with my studio PC after 8 months 🥲 #makersmagic
some fun graphics in today's story about smell 👃
read it here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-smell-gu...
read it here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-smell-gu...
July 3, 2025 at 5:36 PM
some fun graphics in today's story about smell 👃
read it here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-smell-gu...
read it here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-smell-gu...
can anyone in #cartography or #mapping help me find a plate-carree/equirectangular projection of Pannotia? (ie: this planet?)
Would greatly appreciate it!
Would greatly appreciate it!
June 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
can anyone in #cartography or #mapping help me find a plate-carree/equirectangular projection of Pannotia? (ie: this planet?)
Would greatly appreciate it!
Would greatly appreciate it!
Reposted by mark belan | science illustrator + info designer
God, I genuinely hate it every time I need to open and use illustrator.
June 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
God, I genuinely hate it every time I need to open and use illustrator.
I’m into the liquid glass, I dunno why everyone’s so upset about it 🤷🏼♂️
June 11, 2025 at 3:41 AM
I’m into the liquid glass, I dunno why everyone’s so upset about it 🤷🏼♂️
wow, 'that' place is really dead for sci comm/sci folks isn't it.... nothing hits there anymore!
June 7, 2025 at 8:59 PM
wow, 'that' place is really dead for sci comm/sci folks isn't it.... nothing hits there anymore!
Check out this new story at Quanta about quantum geometry - new research about the hidden shapes that underlie the quantum behaviors of a crystal.
I had so much fun producing graphics for this cool story with @shalmawegs.bsky.social + @nattyover.bsky.social.
www.quantamagazine.org/first-map-ma...
I had so much fun producing graphics for this cool story with @shalmawegs.bsky.social + @nattyover.bsky.social.
www.quantamagazine.org/first-map-ma...
First Map Made of a Solid’s Secret Quantum Geometry | Quanta Magazine
Physicists recently mapped the hidden shape that underlies the quantum behaviors of a crystal, using a new method that’s expected to become ubiquitous.
www.quantamagazine.org
June 7, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Check out this new story at Quanta about quantum geometry - new research about the hidden shapes that underlie the quantum behaviors of a crystal.
I had so much fun producing graphics for this cool story with @shalmawegs.bsky.social + @nattyover.bsky.social.
www.quantamagazine.org/first-map-ma...
I had so much fun producing graphics for this cool story with @shalmawegs.bsky.social + @nattyover.bsky.social.
www.quantamagazine.org/first-map-ma...
Reposted by mark belan | science illustrator + info designer
For my latest story at @quantamagazine.bsky.social I dug into cutting edge research that’s using geometry to understand the bizarre quantum behaviors of materials. Huge shoutout to @markabelan.bsky.social for bringing the abstract ideas to life with 3D graphics!
Physicists recently mapped the hidden geometry that underlies the quantum behaviors of a crystal, using a new method that’s expected to become ubiquitous. @shalmawegs.bsky.social reports:
www.quantamagazine.org/first-map-ma...
www.quantamagazine.org/first-map-ma...
First Map Made of a Solid’s Secret Quantum Geometry | Quanta Magazine
Physicists recently mapped the hidden shape that underlies the quantum behaviors of a crystal, using a new method that’s expected to become ubiquitous.
www.quantamagazine.org
June 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
For my latest story at @quantamagazine.bsky.social I dug into cutting edge research that’s using geometry to understand the bizarre quantum behaviors of materials. Huge shoutout to @markabelan.bsky.social for bringing the abstract ideas to life with 3D graphics!
Reposted by mark belan | science illustrator + info designer
I was the guest on the latest episode of Quanta's new podcast, chatting with @pateljournalist.bsky.social about theoretical CS and my recent time vs space complexity story. It was my first time on a podcast — really fun to try out a new medium!
Quanta Magazine’s Science and Math Podcasts
Listen to Steven Strogatz interview leading researchers about the great scientific and mathematical questions of our time on “The Joy of Why” podcast, or stay informed about math, physics, biology and...
www.quantamagazine.org
June 3, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I was the guest on the latest episode of Quanta's new podcast, chatting with @pateljournalist.bsky.social about theoretical CS and my recent time vs space complexity story. It was my first time on a podcast — really fun to try out a new medium!
Cool opp to do some science illustration work this summer with Melisa here 🔽
www.sciencegraphicdesign.com/opportunities
www.sciencegraphicdesign.com/opportunities
Job opportunities — Science Graphic Design
Come work with us! Science Graphic Design is currently looking for a part-time scientific graphic designer. Applications close March 24.
www.sciencegraphicdesign.com
May 21, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Cool opp to do some science illustration work this summer with Melisa here 🔽
www.sciencegraphicdesign.com/opportunities
www.sciencegraphicdesign.com/opportunities
Last year, before formally joining the Quanta team, I was freelancing for them on a unique and exciting package about the reality of space-time.
One of these stories explores a series of thought experiments that challenge our notions of everyday physics: www.quantamagazine.org/the-thought-...
One of these stories explores a series of thought experiments that challenge our notions of everyday physics: www.quantamagazine.org/the-thought-...
The Thought Experiments That Fray the Fabric of Space-Time | Quanta Magazine
These three imagined scenarios lead many physicists to doubt that space-time is fundamental.
www.quantamagazine.org
April 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Last year, before formally joining the Quanta team, I was freelancing for them on a unique and exciting package about the reality of space-time.
One of these stories explores a series of thought experiments that challenge our notions of everyday physics: www.quantamagazine.org/the-thought-...
One of these stories explores a series of thought experiments that challenge our notions of everyday physics: www.quantamagazine.org/the-thought-...
Reposted by mark belan | science illustrator + info designer
Quanta has been recognized with a National Magazine Award for Best Single Topic Issue for “The Unraveling of Space-Time.”
April 10, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Quanta has been recognized with a National Magazine Award for Best Single Topic Issue for “The Unraveling of Space-Time.”
Trust Quanta to cut through the _dire_ situation of science sensationalism 🔪🧬
“The biggest misconception about de-extinction is that it’s possible,” evolutionary biologist Beth Shapiro told @yaseminsaplakoglu.bsky.social in 2022. Read her explainer on the plausibility of efforts to bring back extinct species, such as dire wolves. www.quantamagazine.org/why-de-extin...
Why ‘De-Extinction’ Is Impossible (But Could Work Anyway) | Quanta Magazine
Several projects are aiming to bring back mammoths and other species that have vanished from the planet. Whether that’s technically possible is beside the point.
www.quantamagazine.org
April 9, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Trust Quanta to cut through the _dire_ situation of science sensationalism 🔪🧬
Reposted by mark belan | science illustrator + info designer
Is Quanta your favorite science website? Add your vote to help us win at The Webby Awards:
Vote for the best of the internet
I just voted in The Webby People's Voice Awards and checked my voter registration.
vote.webbyawards.com
April 6, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Is Quanta your favorite science website? Add your vote to help us win at The Webby Awards:
Howdy! I contributed graphics to a Quanta story on protein folding last year. It’s nominated for a Webby!
It would be so cool if you could spare some time to vote ! Thanks!
vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting...
It would be so cool if you could spare some time to vote ! Thanks!
vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting...
Vote for the best of the internet
I just voted in The Webby People's Voice Awards and checked my voter registration.
vote.webbyawards.com
April 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Howdy! I contributed graphics to a Quanta story on protein folding last year. It’s nominated for a Webby!
It would be so cool if you could spare some time to vote ! Thanks!
vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting...
It would be so cool if you could spare some time to vote ! Thanks!
vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting...
Reposted by mark belan | science illustrator + info designer
Many of the people who make Quanta are on Bluesky. Follow our starter pack: bsky.app/starter-pack...
March 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Many of the people who make Quanta are on Bluesky. Follow our starter pack: bsky.app/starter-pack...
I had so much fun creating this infographic for Quanta's story on metabolic cell fates.
Bit of a challenge stretching the style guide to new heights, but we're headed somewhere ✨
Article here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-metaboli...
Bit of a challenge stretching the style guide to new heights, but we're headed somewhere ✨
Article here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-metaboli...
March 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I had so much fun creating this infographic for Quanta's story on metabolic cell fates.
Bit of a challenge stretching the style guide to new heights, but we're headed somewhere ✨
Article here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-metaboli...
Bit of a challenge stretching the style guide to new heights, but we're headed somewhere ✨
Article here: www.quantamagazine.org/how-metaboli...
Had the great pleasure of creating graphics for a new synthesis on long-term studies in evolution. Published in Nature yesterday, check it out here!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Long-term studies provide unique insights into evolution - Nature
Long-term studies provide insights into the complex interplay between evolutionary process and pattern across multiple systems and timescales.
www.nature.com
March 21, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Had the great pleasure of creating graphics for a new synthesis on long-term studies in evolution. Published in Nature yesterday, check it out here!
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Rough day to be a Canadian in the US 🫠
March 4, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Rough day to be a Canadian in the US 🫠
Hi! Have you come across something on the net that was a cool visual story? A scrollytelly article? An interactive graphic novel? A data viz? Any topic, any visual format.
Would love some leads for inspiration ✨
Would love some leads for inspiration ✨
February 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Hi! Have you come across something on the net that was a cool visual story? A scrollytelly article? An interactive graphic novel? A data viz? Any topic, any visual format.
Would love some leads for inspiration ✨
Would love some leads for inspiration ✨