Learn to create clear, publication-ready figures, posters and graphics in Affinity, whether you're a scientist, social scientist or humanities researcher. Taught by a researcher and illustrator who knows exactly what journals, theses, grants and conferences need. No design background required.
Why an Affinity course?
Researchers often need diagrams to visualise the ideas behind their work. Whether it's Figure 2b on your next big manuscript, or that summary schematic for your conference poster or grant proposal, having a key visual can help immensely to demystify complex information.
But creating an illustration might be unfamiliar territory for many researchers, especially for those with limited art experience. So, where could you begin?
Join Dr James O'Hanlon as he takes you through the fundamentals of vector illustration in Affinity for research purposes. From illustrating a eukaryotic cell and drawing an artery cross section, to designing a complete graphic abstract and a print-ready research poster, you will learn to use the right tools to turn your abstract research ideas into stunning visuals that are clear, informative, and fit-for-purpose!
And here's the exciting part: illustration software used to be either free but clunky, or powerful but expensive. That paradigm has just been shattered. Affinity is now completely free, giving you all the power of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign wrapped into one, for exactly $0. It has never been a better time to learn how to make your own figures!
So wave your final goodbyes to PowerPoint diagrams.
It's time for the next level up in Affinity!
Your Transformation
From
Being unfamiliar with digital art formats
To
Having a comprehensive knowledge of vector illustration
From
Plain, old, boring PowerPoint-style diagrams
To
Clean, sleek, professional Illustrator schematics
From
Taking hours to create simple diagrams
To
Taking minutes to create polished works of vector art
Course Outline
31 video lessons | 5 hours of learning | exercises & downloads
Module 1: Course introduction
1.1 Meet your instructor
1.2 Software Overview
1.3 Course Overview
Module 2: Design Fundamentals for Researchers
2.1 Graphic design in your research outputs
2.2 What’s the difference between raster and vector graphics?
Module 3: Affinity Essentials (Tools + Workspace Basics)
3.1 Setting up your workspace
3.2 Using the Selection Tools
3.3 Drawing with the Pen Tool
3.4 Drawing with the Pencil Tool
3.5 Applying colour using Swatches and the Eyedropper Tool
3.6 Adding text using the Type Tool
3.7 Exploring the Shapes Tools
3.8 Organise your workspace using Layers
3.9 Combine vectors using the Shape Builder Tool and Pathfinder
3.10 Applying basic Effects
Module 4: Beginner Illustration Exercises
4.1 Illustrating a Eukaryotic Cell
4.2 Using the shape builder to draw a micropipette
4.3 Supercharge your data visualisation
Module 5: Level Up Your Graphics (Tools & Techniques)
5.1 Editing Vectors
5.2 Adding colour gradients
5.3 Type along a path
5.4 Clipping Masks
5.5 Creating vector graphics from raster graphics
5.6 Incorporating Photos into your designs
Module 6: Advanced Illustration Exercises
6.1 Creative Mapping Exercise
6.2 Drawing an Artery Cross Section
Module 7: Full project demo (Graphic Abstracts + Posters)
7.1 Intro to Graphic Abstracts
7.2 Graphic Abstract Example
7.3 Intro to Research Posters
7.4 Research Poster Example
Module 8: Course Wrap Up
8.1 Wrapping Things Up
Feedback Form
About Your Instructor
Hi there! I’m Dr James O’Hanlon, scientist, author, illustrator, and project manager at Animate Your Science.
In my career I've done everything from being an academic research scientist, freelance illustrator, mural painter, events manager, and even an animatronic dinosaur puppeteer.
Now, at AYS, I work with researchers every day to bring their work to life through custom graphics, illustrations, poster designs and animations. In this course, I’ll share the same tools and techniques I use create high quality illustrations that explain your own complex research topics.
Not only will these skills help your research work, but they can enhance your career. Through graphic design you can draw attention to your work and increase the impact of your research.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get creative!
Testimonials
Essential Package
What's included
-
One year access to the online course “Learn to Design in Affinity: for Researchers, by Researchers"
-
Affinity tools overview PDF
-
Affinity keyboard shortcuts PDF
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Certificate of completion
-
Exercise source files
Price for individuals
Launch price* (12–21 Aug, ~25% off)
149 AUD | 97 USD | 89 EUR
*Use coupon LAUNCH at checkout
Standard rate:
199 AUD | 129 USD | 119 EUR
One time purchase
100% money back guarantee
Need an invoice? Request one at contact@animateyour.science
Premium Package
What's included
You’ll get everything in Essential, plus:
-
Lifetime access to the online course “Learn to Design in Affinity: for Researchers, by Researchers"
-
Individualised feedback on your graphics
Price for individuals
Launch price* (12–21 Aug, ~25% off)
224 AUD | 149 USD | 137 EUR
*Use coupon LAUNCH at checkout
Standard rate:
299 AUD | 199 USD | 183 EUR
One time purchase
100% money back guarantee
Need an invoice? Request one at contact@animateyour.science
For groups
Enquire at contact@animateyour.science
🎓 Institutions & groups
Fully customisable to the needs of your students and staff
Bulk discounts available
Enquire at contact@animateyour.science
Our satisfied clients
Join the global community of researchers and students—thousands strong—who’ve transformed their science communication skills with our courses.
Money Back Guarantee
We are so confident in our content that if, for any reason, you are not satisfied with the course, we offer a 100% money back guarantee.
F.A.Q.
Do I need any design or drawing experience?
Not at all. This course starts from the very beginning, so no artistic background or prior software experience is needed.
Is Affinity really free? What's the catch?
Yes, genuinely free. All you need is a free Canva account, no subscription required. The only part of the software that needs a paid Canva Pro subscription is the AI tools (e.g. generative fill), and those aren't covered in this course and aren't necessary for any of the tasks you'll complete.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so enrolling is genuinely risk-free. Refund requests are also extremely rare, our track record shows almost nobody asks for one.
How long is the course?
31 video lessons | 5 hours of learning | exercises & downloads
How long do I have access to the course?
That depends on your access tier. The Essential Access tier gives you 12 months of access, while the Premium tier gives you lifetime access.
Is this course only for scientists, or is it relevant for social sciences and humanities too?
It's genuinely for everyone doing research. We deliberately kept the scope of the exercises broad to suit all types of sciences and social sciences, and the course moves across a wide range of examples, from cell biology diagrams to maps.
Will I get a certificate of completion?
Yes. Once you've watched all the lessons, a certificate of completion is automatically emailed to you.
What if I get stuck on an exercise?
Support depends on your access tier. On the Essential plan, you can ask simple questions in the comment box under each lesson. On the Premium tier, you also get individualised, asynchronous feedback from our team on your illustrations, so if you're stuck, we can help you directly.
I already did the Illustrator course. Should I do this one too?
If you've already completed the Illustrator course, you'll find this one very similar in structure, since many of the tools work in much the same way. You may not need to go through it all, but it's still a great way to pick up Affinity specific workflow and any new exercises.
What devices and operating systems does Affinity support?
Affinity currently runs as a desktop app for Mac and Windows. An iPad version has been announced, so check Affinity's website for the latest availability if you're hoping to work on a tablet.