Trauma through time: An interactive scrollytelly on the epigenetic inheritance of trauma
Purpose
Explain the concept of epigenetic inheritance and its relevance for children of trauma survivors.
Collaborators
Role
Audience
Client
Emily Mao, Nichole Zhou
Educated lay audience familiar with trauma
Intended format
Tools used
Topic research, script, 3D modelling
Scrollytelly website
After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, Maya, ClipStudio Paint, Figma, Procreate, Webflow, Zbrush
Alexander Young, University of Toronto
Project workflow
3D workflow
To achieve a clean, accurate, and approachable “gummy” visual effect for our 3D assets, we used a multi-step pipeline that incorporated real anatomical data, delicate modelling & rendering control, as well as flexibility post-processing approaches.
We chose to reduce level of detail where possible in order to make the visuals welcoming and not overwhelming; for example, we created icon representations of the molecules rather than using molecular data.
3D models created
Room Design
To ensure consistency between time skips, the room was rendered in 3D using ambient occlusion as well as a toon shader. Another collaborator (Emily Mao) rendered the final 2D illustrations.
2.5D animation
For a scene where norepinephrine floats out of the character, we chose to render it in a 3D environment. This let us use our previous 3D room asset as a layer matte in Maya, so the orbs disappear as they hit furniture or the walls.
See the full production document below.
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