Science Visualized - 3D Editorial Cover
Building a Backbone
Client
Shehryar Saharan (Prof. University of Toronto)
Year
2025
Audience
General with an interest in science
Tools
Maya, Procreate, Photoshop
Type of Work
Coursework
Approach
Editorial Cover
Description
This project involved creating an editorial cover inspired by a recently published research paper. My chosen paper was on the replication of trunk development in vitro through the mimicry of notochord signalling. This journal cover visualises the notochord as the central "conductor" orchestrating trunk development and patterning. The cover features two renderings.
The final composition serves to visually communicate the complex interplay of biological factors that underpin trunk development, thereby enhancing the understanding of the research findings.
Exhibited in:
TRPEx Innovation in Action 2025
AMI Annual Salon 2025
Research and Ideation
After choosing my topic, I spent time diving into the research, reviewing current literature and gathering reference material to build a strong scientific foundation. I moved through several rounds of ideation, repeatedly revisiting and refining ideas to improve both clarity and accuracy. Along the way, I sought feedback from peers and content experts, using their perspectives to check assumptions and make sure the visuals reflected current scientific understanding. This iterative process helped shape illustrations that communicate complex information clearly while staying true to the science.
Production
Once the design was finalized, I built the assets in Maya, focusing on accuracy and level of detail while staying aligned with the scientific requirements of the project. After completing the 3D models, I brought everything into Photoshop and Illustrator to composite the final piece, integrating text and visuals into a cohesive layout. This workflow gave me flexibility and control over lighting, texture, and composition, resulting in a polished illustration that clearly communicates complex scientific information in an engaging way.
References
Rito, T., Libby, A.R.G., Demuth, M. et al. Timely TGFβ signalling inhibition induces notochord. Nature (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08332-w