This illustrated poster was created as the back page of The Not-So-Secret World of Microbiomes a zine designed to teach children about the wonders of the gut microbiome. The artwork features a black-and-white diagram of the human body system, with colorful, patterned illustrations highlighting where the gut microbiome live inside the body. Surrounding the diagram are playful microbes and digestible (pun intended!) facts designed to help young readers understand the invisible but vital world inside them.
This piece blends science and storytelling in a way that’s approachable, engaging, and memorable encouraging curiosity and a better understanding of how our bodies work.
The goal for this poster was to make complex biological information feel fun, friendly, and clear to a young audience. I started by mapping out a simplified anatomical drawing of the digestive system, keeping the structure accurate but approachable with hand-drawn, slightly cartoonish line work.
To visually separate the concept of the microbiome from the rest of the body, I used bright colors and bold patterns to highlight microbial regions. This contrast helps guide the viewer’s attention and visually reinforces the idea that there’s something special happening inside the gut. Around the diagram, I added illustrated microbes with quirky shapes and friendly expressions to bring the science to life.
All elements were first sketched traditionally and then edited digitally, allowing for clean lines and vibrant detail. The poster was designed to work as both a decorative piece and a learning tool, something that could be hung in a classroom or enjoyed alongside the rest of the zine.
