Interview with a Professional - Michael Konomos
A professional medical illustrator shares insights into building a career in BMVC.
Michael Konomos is a Certified Medical Illustrator at Emory University School of Medicine, where he leads the Visual Medical Education (VME) team.
VME creates accurate medical animations, illustrations, apps, virtual- and augmented- reality virtual models, and other educational tools for patients, trainees, and the public. Michael has a passion for innovation, design-thinking applied to medical science and research, and improving outcomes through evidence-based practice.
Q & A
What was your background and skill-set prior to entering medical illustration and did it prepare you for the reality of the field? Is there anything you'd wish you'd done differently?
I always identified as an artist since I was very young, but I never thought that I was very capable at science until a challenging, but pivotal microbiology course in college. After C’s in high school science courses, I finally rose to the occasion, impressing my professor who told me about the field.
Scientific illustration and figure drawing courses were great preparation for graduate school. If I could go back, I’d strengthen my cellular and molecular background earlier. David Goodsell’s “The Machinery of Life” awakened my excitement and opened up an unseen molecular world within us to me - I wish I’d found it sooner.
How did you get your first job in the field and build momentum from there?
I did a Master’s project in grad school with a doctor who I wanted to work for, and fortunately he was open to hiring me when I graduated. I was really interested in the heart, and they created a position in the cardiology department for me. I enjoyed this position, but, later I realized with the approaching due date of our first child, I needed more income.
I reached out to the Emory Department of Surgery and found a very visionary, open-minded chair willing to take a chance on me. He later became Dean of the School of Medicine, and I rode another wave of fortune into the position I am now in. None of this is a pathway that I could prescribe to anyone else, and I’m not sure lightning would ever strike like this for me again.
I worked hard and had a genuine passion for helping people, of course. But I recognize that doors were opened for me that might not have been without the help of others.
When did you start feeling confident in your career - was there a particular project or experience that defined that moment?
I don’t think that I have the personality type to feel confident in my career. I always feel insecure - like other artists are better, have achieved more.
“Maybe this client isn’t going to like what I did. Does my boss still think I’m doing a good job? Did I get the science right? Oh no, I have to give another talk in front of a bunch of people.”
The feeling has never gone away. I’ve led other people, been promoted, won awards, been on the AMI Board, had illustrations used by people around the world during the pandemic, completed well-received projects for well-known doctors and researchers, and co-authored papers. I still feel like I have no idea what I’m doing.
But that persistent feeling of insecurity doesn’t have to be a barrier. I can feel like an imposter and still jump in and propose something ambitious. I can get in my head, but I know I’ll be okay even if I don’t feel that way. So just keep trying, keep forging ahead, with the inner critic along for the ride. Maybe some of you can relate?
How do you manage your workload and avoid burnout, especially when juggling multiple projects?
A professor of mine, Steve Harrison, once told me, “Never be afraid of too much work. That’s a good problem to have.” It means you are in demand. I’m always busy but seldom in the weeds, and I don’t work all the time. Projects tend to expand or constrain to the time you allot for them. Having multiple projects works out well for me because big projects tend to move slowly due to scheduling conflicts. I stagger them so they are at different phases, and they all move slowly through the pipeline in parallel.
I work with leadership to clarify and triage priorities. I grew into becoming meticulously organized. Systems for everything - for naming files, taking notes, tracking project tasks. There are many systems, figure out what works for you. And get up from your desk. Often - at least once an hour. Take walks, the work can wait. This is a marathon. Protect your evenings and weekends as best you can. Capitalism will take what you give it - don’t give it everything.
What is your approach to communicating complex or difficult topics?
It depends on the audience. I think “simplify” is the usual answer to this question, and that’s a simplistic answer. Designer Don Norman wrote a great book called “Living With Complexity”. He asserts that some systems have an irreducible amount of complexity to them. You can’t tell a bone marrow transplant patient everything they need to know about their coming journey on a one-pager. That’s a disservice. Our job as designers and educators isn’t to remove the complexity, but instead to organize it for them. Guide them. That’s what learners need. Science is often complex. How we use the tools to guide someone through that complexity is the key. I often involve human-centered design in my process to get more in touch with how others think and what they need.
What challenges come from working across disciplines and how have you overcome them?
I work across disciplines because I enjoy variety, but it means I am unable to ever truly master anything. I often feel insecure as a result. I could be better at 3D animation or drawing if I did them everyday, but I’m solid, not great. I see myself as a composer and conductor of the orchestra. Some people might be the first chair violin. Amazing. But I’m focused on the bigger questions: What music are we playing here? Where are we going? How are we getting there? I want to gather all the talented people, let them be amazing at what they do, and make an impact on health outcomes together.
How would you suggest an emerging medical illustrator approach collaboration with other professionals?
Network in spaces like the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) - a lot of subcontracting work and partnerships can come of that.
One secret when I am looking to hire someone - am I looking for the best who I don’t personally know, or a dependable and solid illustrator I do know? Nine times out of ten, the latter. Others do it as well. Given a choice between the known and unknown, people will generally ask the person they’ve built rapport with. During the pandemic, I needed two contractors fast to expand our production capabilities. I didn’t have time for a traditional process. I approached two people I knew, one of whom had reached out to me before to offer help if I ever needed it. They both worked with us for almost two years, renewing contacts. That’s how it happens. It really is who you know, so reach out and get to know people.
Earn trust. Be someone people can count on. The worst thing you can do is not to make bad art, but rather to not communicate with people counting on you. If you ghost people, wait until the eleventh hour to report issues, it scares people away from working with you again and hurts your reputation. Life happens, but timely communication and doing what you say you will builds trust. Everything depends on trust. Saying “no” up front builds more trust than a “yes” with no follow through.
What spaces or opportunities help aspiring BMVC specialists looking to connect with others in the field and expand their expertise?
The AMI, of course, and there are a couple of great Discord communities. Regular LinkedIn posts help remind people that you exist – maybe treat that like other social media and get used to posting regularly. Mentorship - through AMI or otherwise - is helpful. I have informally mentored people for years now, and sought out others to learn from myself.
How do we navigate instability and grow in this field?
Our profession needs to move beyond being “a set of hands” and become problem-solving partners. A service, a set of hands, are replaceable, but a brilliant mind, a partner who sits at the table and can identify and solve critical problems alongside the client and even lead the team – that’s our future. That’s AI-proof.
I’m an artist at heart, but people in the health sciences aren’t looking for “artists”. They want solutions: increase patient engagement, reduce surgical site infections, boost learning retention for our students, help my paper stand out, get us more patients in the door. It’s about the impact we make, not just the image. Nice car you have there, but where are we going?
Don’t just look for job postings. Some people need what you offer, they just don’t know it yet. Reach out to people. It won’t always work, but there is no harm in trying. No one cares about whether you have a job - they care about their own problems. If you show up with an offer to address their concerns and they can afford it, you have a shot. You know what you want, now put yourself in their shoes and ask: What do they want? You might want a job at a heart center but why do they need you there? That answer is going to be a little different each time. The more you listen and understand their needs, the more persuasive your case will be.
What direction would you like to see the field of BMVC go? What are you excited to see over the next few years?
I hope to see us focus less on the service model and more on partnerships. We should be at the table helping to make the decisions, often guiding the team. Beautiful art isn’t enough. Being that multidisciplinary bridge that gets them across the raging river, connecting expert to audience, art to science, art to education, science to storytelling – no one else can do this. They may not always need someone to create art, but they are always going to need someone to set the strategy and execute the project. They don’t have the time to do this themselves. Tools will change. Complexity will persist. They will always need someone to come to them with solutions - and that’s us.
Thanks for allowing me a chance to share my perspective!
To learn more about Michael’s work and his Visual Medical Education team, follow him on LinkedIn or check out the Emory School of Medicine VME website.
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A recap of this year's Anatomy Connected by BMVC alumni that presented in the event.
