Happy Birthday to the Pill

November 1, 2017

To mark the 60th anniversary of the oral contraceptive pill, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society commissioned an infographic that would acknowledge both the scientific impact and cultural significance of one of the most influential medicines of the modern era. I collaborated closely with graphic designer Maria Gonzalez to develop a visual narrative that could convey this history in a clear, engaging, and accessible way.

The creative direction was inspired by a sculpture of Venus in the British Museum in London, chosen as a symbolic reference to fertility, agency, and the long arc of reproductive health. This classical influence helped frame the infographic within a broader historical and social context, while allowing modern pharmaceutical milestones to be presented in a visually cohesive structure.

By combining scientific accuracy with a design approach rooted in metaphor and storytelling, the infographic was developed to resonate with a wide audience. The project reflects how medical illustration and graphic design can work together to translate complex scientific progress into imagery that is both informative and culturally meaningful.