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.

3D use: visualize the brain during the stress response.

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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