Campbell University and Skype a Scientist partnered with Dr. Alexa Kelly and Ellen Weiss on the Brown Skin Matters project, an educational zine addressing gaps in dermatologic representation and diagnostic accuracy for Black and Brown skin. Lupine Studios contributed a detailed spot illustration of Hidradenitis Suppurativa to support clearer visual understanding of this often misunderstood condition. The illustration appears both within the publication (page 12) and on its cover, helping anchor the visual identity of this collaborative, community-centered resource.
Advancing Representation in Dermatologic Education
The Brown Skin Matters project was created to address the persistent lack of visual and educational resources representing skin conditions on darker skin tones. Designed as an accessible, human-centered zine, the publication reflects a broad creative collaboration across universities, disciplines, and countries, uniting medical expertise with the work of numerous contributing artists.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a chronic, noncontagious inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts, was selected as one of the featured conditions. Because HS frequently appears in areas where skin rubs together and can be misdiagnosed or overlooked, accurate and representative visual resources are critical.
Scientific Illustration with Clarity and Care
Lupine Studios created a spot illustration of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in Adobe Photoshop, carefully rendering inflammation, lesion structure, and skin tone with both medical accuracy and visual sensitivity. The piece was designed to integrate seamlessly into the zine’s educational layout while maintaining anatomical clarity and approachability for a wide audience of learners and clinicians.
Our founder, Evyn Caiazza, led the illustration process, balancing scientific precision with the broader mission of representation and equity in healthcare imagery. The final artwork not only supports the interior educational content but also appears on the cover, reinforcing the project’s commitment to visibility, collaboration, and inclusion.
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