Virtual Embryo Develops at Silver Oaks

Silver Oaks has recently revamped the Virtual Embryo exhibit at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry into a more interactive and educational user-experience with the integration of touchscreen technology and stunning 3D animation. Using the existing content as a point of reference, we created a new 4-minute interactive experience that explains the role of master control genes and highlights the major milestones of embryonic development in the first eight weeks of human pregnancy.

Bridging the gap between the womb and the chromosome level, Silver Oaks utilized a dynamic combination of color morphing footage of fetal development, a black and white sequence of embryonic development and 3D animation – immersing the user into a virtual realm at the chromosome level.

Once located, the master control gene sends out signals to other genes, switching them on and off, respectively, and guiding the embryo’s development. A sequence of actual footage then plays, walking the user through the three major developmental milestones in the first 56 days of pregnancy.

When producing the program, research was critical in the conceptual phase – ensuring the information being conveyed was accurate in content and appearance, yet general enough for the visitor to walk away with a simple understanding. Working closely with the Museum’s experts, numerous storyboards were drawn and revised to find that perfect balance. Medical photographs and animations were also reviewed and analyzed to determine the appropriate degree of detail in the newly created animations – examining colors, textures, shapes, etc. All of this lead to the development of intricate 3D models, designed in Autodesk Maya and eventually edited with video. In the end a series of amazing, fast-paced dive down and zooming sequences into the body along strands of unwinding DNA was produced.

In addition to producing the content, Silver Oaks also designed and coordinated the production of exhibit signage, graphics and electronics. Programmed for DVD and formatted for wide screen, the interactive program is controlled by a touchscreen monitor that also projects the image on a large concave screen. The program is further enhanced with the voice-over and dynamic sound effects being transmitted with HyperSonic Sound technology that targets a tightly focused directional beam of sound at the specified exhibit area.

Visit the Museum of Science and Industry and experience the Virtual Embryo for yourself.

Also check out Silver Oaks Interpretives Portfolio.