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 based on a recent research paper on replicating trunk development in vitro through notochord signalling. The concept visualizes the notochord as a central “conductor” guiding trunk development and patterning, shown through two renderings.
The final composition aims to capture the complex interplay of biological factors involved, helping to make the research more accessible and easier to understand.
Exhibited in:
TRPEx Innovation in Action 2025
AMI Annual Salon 2025
Research and Ideation
The project began with an in-depth analysis of the primary research paper to identify the central scientific insight and uncover opportunities for visual storytelling. Rather than illustrating the study literally, the goal was to distill its core message into a single, memorable concept. Through this process, the notochord emerged as a visual metaphor for a conductor, orchestrating the coordinated signalling events that drive trunk development and patterning.
Concept development was highly iterative, with sketches and compositional studies exploring different ways to balance scientific accuracy with editorial impact. Feedback from peers and subject matter experts informed each refinement, strengthening both the biological narrative and the visual communication. By combining evidence-based research with conceptual design, the final cover translates a complex developmental biology study into an engaging visual narrative that captures the essence of the research while inviting viewers to explore it further.
Production
The production process focused on translating the conceptual direction into a polished editorial illustration that balanced scientific accuracy with visual impact. Three-dimensional assets were developed to establish realistic form, depth, and spatial relationships, creating a strong foundation for the final composition while remaining faithful to the underlying biology. Lighting, materials, and composition were carefully refined to reinforce the metaphor of the notochord as the central conductor of trunk development, directing the viewer's attention through the scene.
The final artwork was composited and refined through digital illustration, where typography and visual elements were integrated into a cohesive editorial layout. Every production decision, from rendering to post-production, was guided by the goal of creating a cover that not only communicates the science accurately but also captures curiosity, inviting viewers to engage with the research before reading a single word.
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