This study will examine how lateral thinking functions within editorial illustration, focusing on its importance in the sciences, particularly medical journalism. From the illustrators use of lateral techniques in producing concepts, to how these, in turn, help audiences gain a better understanding of a subject. The specifics of medicine are often considered complex to comprehend (The Guardian, 2016), especially to a reader who may be uninformed in the field; published medical articles can seem dense and difficult. To combat this, and make valuable research manageable, conceptual imagery and lateral thinking become necessary. Editorial illustrators can bring about a broader connection and understanding of an issue.

Thumbnail Illustration: by the author