Highly motivated creative, specializing in the translation of complex information into visual stories. Strong illustration background. Excellent communication and relationship skills with stakeholders, vendors, and collaborators. Passionate about healthcare, big challenges, small details. And dogs.
TAMI TOLPA
Expertise
Art direction, branding, template development, information design, concept development, sketching, story boarding, graphic design, illustration, animation, and data visualization.
Expert skills in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, and InDesign. Proficiency in 3D media, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Tableau, document accessibility, and Asana. Working knowledge of video editing, web design, and best practices for UX/UI.
Experience
Scientific Illustrator
Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco CA
2022–present
Part of the communications team. Develop publication-ready illustrations for scientific investigators across the 5 institutes: cardiovascular disease, data science, genomic immunology, neurological disease, and virology. Collaborate with creative director, writers, and editors to deliver engaging science visuals for news and social media stories. Develop and deliver internal science illustration workshops.
Lead Visual Designer/Design Manager
University of Washington, Seattle WA
2021
Manage a team of designers in a busy and dynamic in-house agency that creates materials for internal, state, and federal research and educational initiatives. Responsible for the development and management of 10+ brands and their style guides, assets, and templates. Collaborate with content developers, media producers, web developers, instructional designers, and leadership to create a wide range of design projects that are strategically aligned with our core values. Determine design strategy with key stakeholders and leadership. Assign and supervise design staff and freelancers. Lead inclusive design and accessibility initiatives.
Graphic Designer
University of Washington, Seattle WA
2018–2021
Digital and print designer on a wide range of projects including: illustrations and infographics, research reports and other publications; a magazine in multiple languages; promotional videos and motion graphics, a TV/web series, a podcast, and numerous virtual and in-person training events.
Owner/Principal
Tolpa Studios, Seattle WA (previously located in San Francisco and Los Angeles)
1998–present
Provide illustration, animation, and graphic design services to hundreds of medical, life science, and technology clients. Responsible for client relations, research, concept development and pitch, project management, and supervision of contract artists.
Freelance Art Director, Medical Illustration
Healthline Networks
May 2014–August 2016
Designed original medical illustrations, and hired and managed freelance illustrators and designers. Provided strategic and stylistic direction to staff and vendors. Developed a style guide for medical illustration to function within defined brand guidelines.
Senior Medical Illustrator
Medsn, Inc., Culver City CA
November 2003–April 2005
Created medical illustrations and animations for pharmaceutical and medical device e-learning programs. Served as team leader, art director, scientific researcher, illustrator, and animator.
Scientific Illustrator/Animator
Artemis Creative, Inc., Palo Alto CA
August 2000–June 2003
Created original medical and scientific illustrations and animations for use in print, web sites, trade shows, annual reports, and digital presentations.
Senior Artist
eMind.com, Los Angeles CA
January 2000–May 2000
Created original illustrations, interactive exercises, and animations for online continuing medical education courses.
Education
MFA Medical Illustration
Minor in Interactive Media Design
Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester NY
BA Studio Art/BA Environmental Studies
State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton NY
Graduation Magna Cum Laude
Continuing Studies
Designing for All: Inclusivity + Diversity + Creativity
School of Visual Concepts, Seattle WA, 2020
Accessibility 101
University of Washington, Seattle WA, 2019
UX Bootcamp
General Assembly, Seattle WA, 2018
Introduction to Data Visualization
UW Professional & Continuing Education, Seattle WA, 2014
Demystifying Infographics
School of Visual Concepts, Seattle WA, 2013
Presenting Data and Information
Edward Tufte, Seattle WA, 2006
Recognition
Fellow, Association of Medical Illustrators
Past Board Member, Association of Medical Illustrators 2007-2011
Certificate of Merit, Association of Medical Illustrators, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2001
Award of Excellence, Rx Club, 2004, 2002, 2001
Semifinalist, National Science Foundation Scientific Visualization Challenge, 2003
Recognition, The Journal of Audiovisual Media in Medicine, 2003
Award of Excellence, Association of Medical Illustrators, 2002
Associations
Association of Medical Illustrators
Northwest Science Writers Association