About the Artist

 

Jennifer E. Fairman, CMI, FAMI

Certified Medical Illustrator | Founder & Creative Principal

I’m Jeni, and for nearly 3 decades I have served clients as a professional expert in visual communication in science, medicine, education, design and more. My experience is varied and stems from museum exhibit design, to field research, government contract work, education in the classroom, consulting with non-profits and work in the private sector, and of course, knowing the ins and outs of running a small woman-owned business.

You know when you see a picture that illustrates a complicated concept, and it finally makes sense to you? That’s where my expertise comes in to play: I simply help clients explain their complex ideas with engaging visuals that teach. I tell stories by illustrating concepts to help consumers make sense of ideas, and therefore make informed choices.

My work has been celebrated for its transformative impact on learners as invaluable assets that illuminate and educate. Because each project solves a unique visual problem, I strive to meet the needs of diverse audiences. I tailor my work to resonate with learners of all ages and educational backgrounds. I hope to captivate young minds, sparking curiosity and making learning an enjoyable adventure. Attention to detail and clarity ensures that even the most complex topics become accessible and comprehensible for diverse audiences.

I currently teach Art as Applied to Medicine as an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. I also mentor other small business creatives to help them start, grow and thrive in their own professional creative practices. When I am not teaching or illustrating, I can be found metalsmithing, creating artisan craftworks and Judaica at jenijewelry.com, swing-dancing with my husband, playing trumpet and exploring the mysteries of the world with my children.

{ Ms. Fairman is the founder and principal of Fairman Studios, LLC. Ms. Fairman’s role in this company does not constitute endorsement by the Johns Hopkins University or the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System. The terms of this arrangement are being managed by the Johns Hopkins University in accordance with its conflict of interest policies. }

Years of Experience

Awards

Clients

Projects

Publications

James Smithson Society Grant

1995 James Smithson Fellow

Jeni was awarded a fellowship and grant from the James Smithson Society for her collaborative research under the guidance of her mentor, Dr. F. Christian Thompson, a world-reknowned Syrphid (flower flies) expert. Her work as a scientifc illustrator and research associate in the National Museum of Natural History, Department of Entomology enabled her to build upon the Fruitfly Expert system and Biosystematic Information Database. This grant allowed for much of the systems data and collections to be repatriated to Costa Rica.

Board Certified Medical Illustrator

2000 – 2025, Board of Certification of Medical Illustrators

The designation of Certified Medical Illustrator denotes a voluntarily earned credential and provides a recognizable means of signifying a practitioner’s current competency in the profession of medical illustration.”

[source: ami.org]

Fellow of the Association of Medical Illustrators

2007, 62nd Annual Conference of the Association of Medical Illustrators

The designation of Fellow is a formal and public recognition of those AMI members who have generously contributed considerable time and effort to the Association in volunteer participation and service. The AMI Fellow Program was established to (1) foster the volunteerism concept for the good of the Association, and (2) recognize those members who have generously given of their time and talents to AMI activities.

AMI Outstanding Achievement Award

2008, 63rd Annual Conference of the Association of Medical Illustrators

Jennifer Fairman received the Outstanding Acheivement Award, “for outstanding service to the Association, excellence as an artist and educator, and bringing honor to the profession.” The Outstanding Service Award is presented to a Professional or Associate Member who has served the AMI in an official capacity and who deserves special recognition. No more than two such awards may be presented in one year.

Inez Demonet Awardee & VT Research Grant Recipient

1999, Association of Medical Illustrators & Vesalius Trust

The Inez Demonet Scholarship is an annual merit scholarship awarded to the applicant with highest academic and personal achievements in the field of visual communications in the health sciences. Applicants are judged on academic breadth and depth, academic performance, quality of artwork, quality of references and evidence of broad-based interests and accomplishments.  [source: ami.org; vesaliustrust.org]

National Science Foundation

International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge

2007 Semifinalist Honor, Posters and Graphics Category, The Genetic Journey: Following DNA from Cell to Society

2011  Finalist Honor, Posters and Graphics Category, Killer in The Blood: Mapping Malaria’s Lethal Lifecycle

2015 Finalist Honor, Posters and Graphics Category, VIZZIES, Snip vs. Shred

2015 Finalist Honor, Illustration Category, VIZZIES, The FtsZ Ring: A Multilayered Protein Network

2015 People’s Choice Award, Illustration Category, VIZZIES, The FtsZ Ring: A Multilayered Protein Network

ARTIST’S BIO

Ms. Fairman founded Fairman Studios, LLC in 2000, and company’s IP licensing segment, Illustr8science® (formerly AnatomicalIllustration.com) in 2002. Jennifer’s background includes experience in medical and scientific illustration for publication and patient education, 2D animation, web publishing and interactive and graphic design.

Jennifer’s undergraduate studies took place at the University of Maryland where she was also employed as an illustrator and graphic designer for the Department of Communication Services. In May of 1995 she received a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with a minor in German language. She served as a scientific illustrator and research associate in entomology for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Her primary research and production work was based at the USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory located within the National Museum of Natural History. Her work at the Smithsonian also brought her to Costa Rica, where at INBio (Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad) she assisted in systematic entomological research and taught scientific illustration.

During her graduate studies at Johns Hopkins, Jennifer completed her thesis conducting a comparative study of dinosaur and reptilian cranial anatomy. She also interned for Hurd Studios in Brooklyn, New York the summer of 1998, where she story-boarded and illustrated for patient education medical videos for public television. After receiving her Masters degree from Johns Hopkins in 1999, Jennifer moved to Boston to work as a staff medical illustrator for the Lahey Clinic, a suburban hospital and community group practice. Shortly thereafter, she founded Fairman Studios. In January of 2006, Jennifer returned to Baltimore with her family and joined the faculty at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Art as Applied to Medicine.

Jennifer is a professional member and has served on the Board of Governors of the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI) and has served as Chair of the Mentorship Committee since 2020 (Vice Chair 2019-2020, Leadership Team 2012-present). She is also a professional member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (GNSI), the American Craft Council, The Illustrators Club of Washington, DC, and is currently an adviser to the Board of the Vesalius Trust after having served 4 terms.  She has received numerous grants and awards for her work including Awards of Excellence and Awards of Merit from the AMI, a Smithsonian Women’s Committee Grant, a James Smithson Society Fellowship, APGO Medical Education Endowment Fund Grant, a Frannie Foundation Grant and a Vesalius Trust Research Grant. She is also the 1999 recipient of the Inez Demonet Award. She was inducted as a Fellow of the Association of Medical Illustrators during the AMI 62nd Annual Meeting in Bozeman, MT. Most recently, she is honored with the AMI’s Outstanding Achievement Award.

EXPERIENCE

Click the toggles below:

Education

Maryland Institute College of Art | Baltimore, MD

  • Master of Professional Studies in The Business of Art & Design, Dec 2017
  • Masters Thesis: Anatomicalillustration.com: developing an e-commerce website and licensing system

Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine | Baltimore, MD

University of Maryland | College Park, MD

  • Bachelor of Science in Biology, May 1995
  • Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, May 1995
  • Minor: German Language

Board Certification

  • January 2021 – December 2025
  • January 2016 – December 2020
  • January 2011 – December 2015
  • January 2006 – December 2010
  • January 2000 – December 2005
Professional Background
  • Associate Professor Department of Art as Applied to Medicine The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 2/2017 – Present
  • Assistant Director of Production Department of Art as Applied to Medicine The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 2018 – Present
  • Certified Medical Illustrator, Founder & Principal Fairman Studios™, LLC Baltimore, Maryland, 2000 – Present
  • Assistant Professor Department of Art as Applied to Medicine The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 1/2007 – 1/2017
  • Instructor Department of Art as Applied to Medicine The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 1/2006 – 1/2007
  • Medical Illustrator Department of Medical Art Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA 1999-2000.
  • Medical Illustration Intern Hurd Studios Brooklyn, NY 1998.
  • Scientific Illustrator & Research Associate The Department of Entomology National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, 1994 – 1997
  • Scientific Illustrator Department of Microbiology University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 1994
  • Illustrator and Graphic Designer Department of Communication Services University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 1992-1995
  • Exhibits Assistant Virginia Living Museum Newport News, VA, 1991-1992
Recognition

The Association of Medical Illustrators

  • 2021     Award of Excellence, Professional Editorial
  • 2018     Award of Excellence, Professional Illustrated Book
  • 2016     Award of Excellence, Professional Editorial
  • 2015     Ralph Sweet Member’s Choice Award
  • 2011     Muriel McLatchie Miller Fine Art Award
  • 2011     Ralph Sweet Member’s Choice Award
  • 2011     Award of Excellence, Professional Editorial
  • 2010     Award of Merit, Professional Instructional Tone
  • 2010     Award of Merit, Professional Editorial
  • 2009     Max Brödel Award of Excellence, Professional Instructional Tone
  • 2008     Outstanding Service Award
  • 2007     Inducted as a Fellow of the Association of Medical Illustrators
  • 2007     Award of Excellence, Professional Editorial
  • 2007     Max Brödel Award of Excellence, Professional Instructional Tone
  • 2003     Award of Merit, Professional Marketing and Promotional
  • 2002     Award of Merit, Professional Editorial
  • 2001     Award of Merit, Professional Editorial
  • 1999     Award of Merit, Student Medical Tone
  • 1998     Award of Merit, Student Medical Tone
  • 1998     Best of Show, Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

  • 2010     Leadership Program for Women Faculty, OWISM, Johns Hopkins SOM
  • 1998     William P. Didusch Scholarship
  • 1997     William P. Didusch Scholarship

Vesalius Trust

  • 1999     Inez Demonet Award
  • 1999     Vesalian Research Grant

National Science Foundation

  • 2015     Finalist Honor, Posters and Graphics Category International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge National Science Foundation and Popular Science Snip VS. Shred
  • 2015     Finalist Honor, Illustration Category People’s Choice Award, Illustration Category International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge National Science Foundation and Popular Science Z-Ring Stabilization and Constriction Rate Modulation of the ZapA-ZapB-MatP Protein Network
  • 2011     Finalist Honor, National Science Foundation International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge. Killer in The Blood: Mapping Malaria’s Lethal Lifecycle.
  • 2007     Semifinalist Honor, National Science Foundation International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge. The Genetic Journey: Following DNA from Cell to Society.

Smithsonian Institution

  • 1996     Smithsonian Women’s Committee Grant
  • 1995     Fellow, James Smithson Society Grant

University of Maryland

  • 1994     Senior Summer Scholarship, Department of Undergraduate Studies
  • 1994     Phi Sigma Biological Honor Society, UMD Vice-president
  • 1992+   Golden Key National Honor Society

Maryland Institute College of Art

  • 2018     Up/Start Top Grant Winner, The Ratcliffe Foundation and the Maryland Institute College of Art ($30,000)
  • 2016     Graduate Student Scholarship

Other Awards

  • 2016 – 2023 Frannie Foundation Grant, Hopkins Patient Guide to Diabetes, website
  • 2019     Images from Science 3
  • 2017     APGO Education Grant ($50,000)
  • 2015     Giliola Gamberini Award Selected Works, FINALIST, International Competition for Medical and Scientific Illustration
  • 2009     Best Multi-specialty Video of the 18th SLS Annual Meeting & Endo Expo (Green, Isabel)
  • 2008     Silver Award, Illustrators Club of Washington DC
  • 2008     Certificate of Merit, Illustrators Club of Washington DC
  • 2006     Honorable Mention People’s Choice Salon of Mid-Atlantic Biocommunicators
  • 2006     Silver Award, Illustrators Club of Washington DC
  • 2006     Certificate of Merit, Illustrators Club of Washington DC.
  • 2004     Silver Award, Consumer Health Publishers Association & Online Health Assoc.
  • 2001     Finalist New England Web Design Awards: Best Promotional Portfolio, Aquent
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