As the appreciation, need and popularity of various  art forms have grown, artists everywhere have established their niches in places outside of the studio. For junior Carolyn Duan, that place is the science and technology magazine Res Novae at MVHS.

As the lead artist for the student-run publication, Duan uses Photoshop and Illustrator to design covers for newsletters and create illustrations accompanying articles in the publication. And while these tasks may sound straightforward, pressure from monthly deadlines takes a toll on her work.

“Especially for Res Novae, there’s a time crunch,” Duan said, “so a lot of the times, I feel like if I had given myself more time and hadn’t procrastinated, l could have made something better.”

And, just like writers and other creators, a lack of ideas often renders Duan prone to art block, which she has not exactly ascertained a means of dealing with.

“Sometimes it takes me a while to think about what’s gonna fit with the article and what wouldn’t,” Duan said. “Also there are just some things that I’m just not that good at drawing yet. Like once, I had to figure out how to draw this really weird looking plant and it was pretty hard.”

However, despite the frustration and stress of her responsibilities, she enjoys the process and continually receives self-satisfaction from and praise for her work. Scroll down to take a look at three of Duan’s proudest pieces for Res Novae.

Background photos used with the permission of junior Carolyn Duan.