Business Practices for the Medical Illusrator

Freelance Practice:

• Identify the needs of establishing a freelance practice
• Write an executive summary
• Set hourly rate charges consistent with regional and market standards for still and animated media
• Create a basic financial plan and yearly budget; consider both start-up costs as well as yearly expenses
• Understand business entities, and tax / benefit systems for the self-employed illustrator
• Maintain ethical professional standards
• Write contracts for various projects
• Write license / permissions agreements; Know principles and legalities of re-use clauses
• Build negotiation skills
• Build professional writing skills
• Understand intellectual property laws (copyright, trademarks and patents) for self, university, client, or any other purchaser or user

Department Management:

• Identify personnel (HR), space, and equipment (capitol purchases) for establishing or maintaining a medical illustration facility to meet specific institutional needs
• List source, materials and supplies needed in a department of medical illustration
• List the components of a departmental budget
• Know and be able to compare a cost-accountable production department and a subsidized in-house service department
• Identify budget and salary guidelines and apply them to a given situation.

The students will be given reading and writing assignments, and will participate in presentations and group discussions

• 1:1 faculty-student interface
• In-class group exercises, class participation
• Role playing
• Completed business canvas
• Writing assignments
• Class glossary
• Final class discussion
• Final grade