Professional Bug Detective

Professional Bug Detective is a celebration of the beautiful world of beetles, seen through the lens of Dr. Ainsley Seago. As the Associate Curator for the Section of Invertebrate Zoology at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History—and a self-described Professional Bug Detective, Part-Time Illustrator, and Full-Time Huge Nerd—Dr. Seago brings a mix of scientific rigor and humor to everything she touches.

In an hour-long interview, she shared her passion for beetles, her journey into entomology, and the beauty of slowing down and paying attention to the tiny details. From that conversation, we created both a print newspaper and a web experience that capture her playful, curious personality.

I led the illustration direction, developing a style inspired by Dr. Seago’s whimsical storytelling, and I designed the web experience, shaping it into an approachable, engaging platform where Dr. Seago’s voice could shine. The result was a multi-format project that not only informs but also delights—bringing the microscopic beauty of beetles into a human, humorous, and visually rich narrative.

Michelle Dang