Many people think that art is just for fun, however the medical profession has recently been asking for students with creative skills. If you are considering a degree and career in science or medicine taking art+design will be very relevant and extremely useful.
"Western science and medical education lies heavily in the realm of the left brain. Researchers have shown that using more creative approaches to medicine can be beneficial. Art appreciation classes are currently part of the curriculum at Yale Medical School as they have been shown to boost the diagnostic skills of undergraduates. The underlying premise is that students learn to 'see the whole picture' which is a crucial aspect in the art of medicine". Nature, 12/09/01
"A creative approach to medical education should be promoted, where students can benefit from more imaginative ways of thinking. Problem-based methods now used in modern curricula are one such approach. A greater emphasis on the artistic side of medicine helps to develop the 'self' as a whole - unifying the art/science dichotomy." Medical Education, 2002:36
"It has long been thought that the two hemispheres of the human brain perform very different functions. Whereas the left side is concerned with language and logical thought, the right side holds a more creative approach to viewing the world." Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine speech, 1981
Leonardo and anatomy The study of anatomy can be traced back to the Renaissance artist, Leonardo da Vinci. He filled investigative sketchbooks with drawings of the body, its organs, bones and muscles. This detailed work, by an artist, helped shape modern medicine. Check out some of his studies here.
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Are you left or right brained? You will have learnt in art+design lessons that you sometimes have to trick your brain. Your mind knows certain facts about shapes, figures and colours, but they might LOOK different in real life. The part of your brain that understands how long someone's leg is is different to the part that is drawing it. From some angles the leg needs to be drawn shorter than the other leg. Different people are more left or right brained than others. This sometimes makes art difficult for some people. Check out how left or right brained you are!
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Optical ilusions Art that uses optical illlusions can be used to demonstrate how the brain processes images. Have a look at more!
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Art and science Artists often use science and scientific ideas or discoveries - James Turrell is a sculptor who works in light; Simon Patterson 'remakes' the Periodic Table; Walter de Maria works with lightning; Cai Guo-Qiang uses gunpowder and explosives; the artists of the Renaissance, the Impressionists and Pop artists used paint made using new chemical processes to change the way we look at art. Check out more links between art and science here!.
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Get it wrong! There are no 'right' answers in art + design. Being creative and expressing yourself means that you will make mistakes. Something you think works well might look awful to your friends. Thinking about the bigger picture and how other people see things is crucial to working in science and medicine. New ideas will change the way you look at the world.
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Art and health There is a movement to try and get more art into hospitals and to design hospitals with art and colour in mind. Research shows that art and colour have a beneficial effect on patients. Read about art and hospitals here.
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