Emphysema

Editorial Cover Illustration for Alexander and Turner Medical Illustration Studio

A conceptual illustration of an air-filled inner landscape with galactic depth conveying the breathlessness wrought by emphysemic changes to the alveoli air sacs of the lungs. The inner walls of the alveoli are damaged, causing them to break down and merge to form larger, fewer air sacs. This creates one larger air space instead of many small ones. The remaining alveoli become abnormally large and inflated, also reducing the surface area available for gas exchange. These cumulative structural tissue changes cause the lungs to become less elastic, making it difficult to exhale air effectively.

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Emphysema by Cynthia Turner

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Editorial Cover Illustration by Cynthia Turner

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Cynthia Turner Emphysema

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Cynthia Turner Editorial Cover Illustration

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Unique Properties

A conceptual illustration of an inner space landscape of emphysemic alveoli, highlighting collapsed bronchioles and damaged alveolar air sacs. The inner walls of the alveoli rupture and create enlarged air sacs, resulting in inefficient oxygen exchange and diminished respiration. Temple Health Lung Center is a national leader in diagnosing and treating lung disease. The Center desired a conceptual illustration of emphysemic changes in alveoli for marketing purposes.

Tags

medical illustration, biomedical artist, visual science, emphysema

Production Technology

Created using Cinema 4D, a 3D modeling program, 3D models, and hand-painting in Photoshop, using a stylus and tablet on a Mac.

Design Challenge

The artist sought to create an air-filled inner landscape with galactic depth conveying the breathlessness that can come with emphysema.

Project Duration

The project was in development for two weeks at the artist's studio in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, USA.

Operation Flow

The work depicts a frozen moment in time reflecting the devastation of lung function wrought by emphysematic changes to the air sacs of the lungs.

Research

The artist reviewed bronchial anatomy and the pathophysiological changes of emphysema by studying radiological images and cat scan images to ensure accuracy. She then built a complex bronchiole tree using rendered 3D models, and hand-painted the structural alterations of the lung’s alveoli air sacs that occur in the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of emphysema. As the walls of the alveoli become thin, they break down and merge, forming larger, fewer air sacs. This creates one larger air space instead of many small ones and reduces the surface area available for gas exchange. The remaining alveoli become abnormally large and inflated, further reducing the surface area for gas exchange. This cumulative structural change in the tissue causes the lungs to become less elastic, making it difficult to exhale air effectively.

Inspiration

Developing atmospheric perspective and depth of field was important to convey the inner space scene within the lungs. The image was created with a 3D software model and developed as an illustration in Photoshop.

Image Credits

Image #1: Illustrator Cynthia Turner / Alexander and Turner Medical Illustration Studio / Emphysema, 2023 Image #2: Illustrator Cynthia Turner / Alexander and Turner Medical Illustration Studio / Emphysema, 2023 Image #3: Illustrator Cynthia Turner / Alexander and Turner Medical Illustration Studio / Emphysema, 2023 Image #4: Illustrator Cynthia Turner / Alexander and Turner Medical Illustration Studio / Emphysema, 2023 Image #5: Illustrator Cynthia Turner / Alexander and Turner Medical Illustration Studio / Emphysema, 2023

Project Overview

Emphysema Editorial Cover Illustration has been a Iron winner in the Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

Iron Recognition

Cynthia Turner was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Emphysema Editorial Cover Illustration.

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For journalists seeking engaging content: Explore our press releases featuring Cynthia Turner's work, freely available for incorporation into your stories. For immediate journalistic use: 4 press releases are available right now.

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