While viruses have existed for millions of years, it is only within the last 100 that humans have begun to understand how these strange bits of DNA, which are neither alive nor dead, do their dirty work.

This infographics project attempts to explain in everyday language how these organisms enter their living hosts and reproduce. From the common cold to HIV/AIDS, all viruses work the same way, and have sidestepped man's every attempt to eradicate them. The final symbols are styled after 8-bit video game graphics from the 1980's, and the 3d museum display mockups were done in 3dStudio max.