Stories

Bringing the Art to Science...

& the Extra in Extraordinary

Scientific research is what we are known for at APL-UW. As we consider our contributions to science, our partners, and the world, one wonders, how do we share those contributions with those around us?

That’s where Maia comes in.

Maia LeDoux is the APL-UW Visual Communications Specialist. As a part of the Resources and Facilities team, she works with scientists and administrators alike. The work that she does in this role consists of graphic design, photography, illustration, and more. She collaborates with all people in the lab to represent scientific ideas, generate compelling posters, presentations, and publications, and create wayfinding graphics for events and facilities, to name just a few project types.

While our scientific subject matter experts focus on the content, Maia’s skills help bring more attention and awareness from internal and external networks of the lab. Her visual communications background provides a wider and clearer lens that our colleagues may not have.

“My favorite projects are the ones that have the most impact. When I hear from people that a wayfinding graphic has made a big difference in their ability to locate a destination or that a poster I designed grabbed and held an audience’s attention, then I am happy.”

Her work not only helps expose APL-UW to more people, but she also increases the morale of the lab through her work.

I create graphics for researchers, I make visuals to present to the outside world, but work to remind us that we are a community.”

As the visual communications specialist, Maia’s work significantly shapes the culture and identity of the lab as a whole. The visual communication specialist role requires a balance of knowing both the specifics of the research and projects of APL-UW along with the overarching picture.

Maia’s path to APL-UW demonstrates there is no “typical” path to the laboratory. With no physics background or exposure to lab work, Maia’s 20+ years of experience as a designer provided a wide breadth of transferable skills and capabilities perfect for this role at APL-UW.

Meet Maia LeDoux

Major

BFA as an interdisciplinary studies major at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and MFA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst

How I came to APL-UW

My desire for a shorter commute and an appreciation of educational environments led me to a committed search for a design position at the University of Washington. Like many people, I had not known of APL-UW before I applied. After learning about the APL-UW, visiting Henderson Hall, and meeting other members of the Resources and Facilities Team, I knew this was a perfect fit for me. My every day is totally different here, and I love that. Having to start fresh and do something I’ve never done before.

Standout moment (so far)

It’s a bunch of “little things.” But there’s not one thing I’m more proud of than other stuff. I’m not saving anyone’s life but I’m so happy to create work that is engaging and draws people in every single day at the lab. Creating visual content such as DEI posters or directional signs at the lab that help everyone in their daily lives is special.

We’re real – we’re real people solving real problems, making real things for the world trying to solve real-world problems.”

— Maia LeDoux