An Infographic
The Segmentation Clock
Description
This project involved designing an infographic that explains a complex concept in regenerative medicine, the segmentation clock, in a clear and engaging way. The layout was inspired by science magazines like Scientific American, to make the topic accessible to readers who are curious about science but may not be familiar with this specific area of research. Through visual storytelling, the fold-out infographic breaks down how the segmentation clock works while emphasizing why current research matters. It also highlights the relevance of these discoveries to ongoing clinical trials as of February 2025, helping readers understand how advances in this field could shape future therapeutic approaches.
Tools
Maya, Procreate, Illustrator
Type of Work
Coursework
Approach
Magazine spread with fold out
Client
Shehryar Saharan (Prof. University of Toronto)
Year
2025
Audience
Scientists
Research and Ideation
The research phase of this infographic was highly iterative, with the layout evolving alongside a deeper investigation into the segmentation clock. As the scientific literature was reviewed, key concepts and moments in the process were identified and prioritized, which directly informed how information was structured and visually presented. This back-and-forth between research and design helped ensure that the final layout accurately reflected both the complexity and the narrative flow of the topic.
In parallel, anatomical accuracy was supported through hands-on work with 3D datasets. Files from the 3D Embryo Atlas were downloaded and imported into 3D Slicer, where individual components were aligned and assembled to better understand spatial relationships during embryonic development. These models informed the visual breakdowns used in the infographic, allowing the science to be represented clearly and faithfully while remaining accessible to a general audience
Production
During the production phase, the assembled 3D object files from 3D Slicer were imported into Autodesk Maya, where the fetus and embryo models were refined through lighting, coloring, and material adjustments to establish form, depth, and visual hierarchy. This step was also essential for reducing the visual noise and artifacts inherent to the raw Slicer outputs, allowing the underlying anatomy to read more clearly. These renders served as a structural foundation rather than final assets. Once exported, the images were painted over digitally to further simplify forms, enhance legibility, and introduce a painterly aesthetic consistent with the tone of the infographic. This hybrid 3D-to-2D workflow balanced anatomical accuracy with visual clarity, resulting in illustrations that are both scientifically grounded and accessible to a broad audience.
References
Ajmal, L., Ajmal, S., Ajmal, M., Nawaz, G., Ajmal, L., Ajmal, S., Ajmal, M., & Nawaz, G. (2023). Organ Regeneration Through Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering. Cureus, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.7759/CUREUS.34336
Alliance for Regnerative Medicine. (2025). Clinical Trials by Therapeutic Approach - 2024 Q4.
Baldwin, C., Kim, J., Sivaraman, S., & Rao, R. R. (2022). Stem cell-based strategies for skeletal muscle tissue engineering. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, 16(12), 1061–1068. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/term.3355
Diaz-Cuadros, M., Wagner, D. E., Budjan, C., Hubaud, A., Tarazona, O. A., Donelly, S., Michaut, A., Al Tanoury, Z., Yoshioka-Kobayashi, K., Niino, Y., Kageyama, R., Miyawaki, A., Touboul, J., & Pourquié, O. (2020). In vitro characterization of the human segmentation clock. Nature, 580(7801), 113–118. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1885-9
FontPair.co. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://www.fontpair.co/pairings/libre-baskerville-source-sans-pro
Gibb, S., Maroto, M., & Dale, J. K. (2010). The segmentation clock mechanism moves up a notch. Trends in Cell Biology, 20(10), 593–600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2010.07.001
Home | 3datlas. (n.d.). Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://www.3dembryoatlas.com/
Infographics - Mesa Schumacher. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://www.mesaschumacher.com/infographic-projects/
Kwan, M. D., & Longaker, M. T. (2008). Regenerative Medicine: The Next Frontier. Transplantation, 86(2). https://journals.lww.com/transplantjournal/fulltext/2008/07270/regenerative_medicine__the_next_frontier.6.aspx
Maroto, M., Bone, R. A., & Dale, J. K. (2012). Somitogenesis. Development, 139(14), 2453–2456. https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.069310
Matsuda, M., Yamanaka, Y., Uemura, M., Osawa, M., Saito, M. K., Nagahashi, A., Nishio, M., Guo, L., Ikegawa, S., Sakurai, S., Kihara, S., Maurissen, T. L., Nakamura, M., Matsumoto, T., Yoshitomi, H., Ikeya, M., Kawakami, N., Yamamoto, T., Woltjen, K., … Alev, C. (2020). Recapitulating the human segmentation clock with pluripotent stem cells. Nature, 580(7801), 124–129. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2144-9
RAWGraphs. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://www.rawgraphs.io
Search listening tool for market, customer & content research - AnswerThePublic. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2025, from https://answerthepublic.com/
Shapira, A., & Dvir, T. (2021). 3D Tissue and Organ Printing—Hope and Reality. Advanced Science, 8(10), 2003751. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202003751
Sonnen, K. F., Lauschke, V. M., Uraji, J., Falk, H. J., Petersen, Y., Funk, M. C., Beaupeux, M., François, P., Merten, C. A., & Aulehla, A. (2018). Modulation of Phase Shift between Wnt and Notch Signaling Oscillations Controls Mesoderm Segmentation. Cell, 172(5), 1079-1090.e12. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2018.01.026
Venzin, O. F., & Oates, A. C. (2020). What are you synching about? Emerging complexity of Notch signaling in the segmentation clock. Developmental Biology, 460(1), 40–54. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.06.024
Vonk, F., & Richardson, M. (2008). Serpent clocks tick faster. Nature, 454, 282–283. https://doi.org/10.1038/454282a
Yen, B. L., Hsieh, C.-C., Hsu, P.-J., Chang, C.-C., Wang, L.-T., & Yen, M.-L. (2023). Three-Dimensional Spheroid Culture of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Offering Therapeutic Advantages and In Vitro Glimpses of the In Vivo State. Stem Cells Translational Medicine, 12(5), 235–244. https://doi.org/10.1093/stcltm/szad011