Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Infographic.
Medium: Adobe photoshop and illustrator
Client: Johnson & Johnson/ AMI
Purpose: To depict the pathology of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) and illustrating the sudden eruption of sterile, pus-filled pustules on inflamed, erythematous skin, which are hallmark symptoms of this severe inflammatory condition. The illustration captures how the disease disrupts the epidermis, showing spongiform pustule formation within the stratum corneum and upper layers of the epidermis, along with marked acanthosis and parakeratosis.
Clinical Imagery
When working on this illustration of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), I aimed to visualize both the clinical and microscopic features of the disease by incorporating a cross-sectional view of a tissue cube alongside the external skin presentation. The goal was to clearly communicate the histopathology-highlighting the formation of sterile, neutrophil-filled pustules within the upper epidermis, along with acanthosis, parakeratosis, and inflammatory infiltrates in the dermis. To ensure clinical accuracy, I referenced a range of patient imagery to depict how GPP appears on the skin: sheets of erythematous plaques covered with coalescing pustules and areas of desquamation. By combining both surface-level and cross-sectional views, I wanted to emphasize the severity of the disease and the way it disrupts both the epidermal architecture and deeper dermal layers, offering a more complete understanding of this rare but potentially life-threatening condition.
Process Work
Ideation and Work in Progress
In developing this illustration of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), I aimed to create a visually impactful and medically accurate depiction of both the clinical presentation and underlying histopathology of this severe skin condition. I chose to focus on two complementary views: a cross-sectional tissue cube to illustrate the pathophysiology within the epidermis and dermis, and a detailed close-up of the skin surface to capture the hallmark appearance of the disease-clusters of sterile, pus-filled pustules on a background of inflamed, erythematous skin.
I began with exploratory sketches to plan how best to show the layers of the skin involved, from the formation of intraepidermal pustules in the stratum corneum and spongiform pustules of Kogoj, to the dense inflammatory infiltrates and dilated vessels in the dermis. Simultaneously, I studied clinical photography to accurately render the characteristic appearance of GPP lesions—white-yellow pustules merging into larger sheets and surrounded by peeling, tender skin.
Throughout the process, I paid close attention to surface texture, fluid buildup, and the transition between intact pustules and areas of rupture or desquamation. I also considered how to represent these features across a range of skin tones, ensuring that the redness and pustular contrast remained visible and recognizable. By integrating both microscopic and macroscopic views, I aimed to communicate not only what GPP looks like on the skin, but also the intense inflammation and immune dysfunction driving the disease beneath the surface.
