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Outsmarting Infectious Diseases

Master Research Project - A 3D animation on vaccine development process

Vaccine development is a long and complicated process for the public to understand. It is crucial to effectively communicate the tremendous amount of research and the stringent approval process to build trust in its development. This animation is dedicated to address the concerns one may have upon a vaccination decision, discussing the development process, safety surveillance, risks and benefits of the general vaccination.

Finished animation

Supervisory Committee

Jodie Jenkinson

Director/Professor

Biomedical Communications, University of Toronto

Nicholas Woolridge

Associate Professor and Past Director

Biomedical Communications, University of Toronto

Content Expert

Tania Watts

Professor

Immunology, University of Toronto

Animation Metrics

Media

Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effect

Format

A 6-min video with a combination of 2D and 3D animation

Audience

The general public with a focus of vaccine hesitant groups

Narrator

Kay Eluvian

VoiceOver Artist

RSA Talent and Harvey Voices

Director

Toronto Human Immunology Network

Preproduction 

Research

Conducting literature research and media audit on vaccine hesitancy, to find out the communication gap in current online resources

Script

Composing a script that embeds accurate scientific research in an engaging cohesive story, with multiple iterations and a final approval from the committee

Storyboard

Turning texts into static visuals, designing characters and concept art, and paying special attention to data visualization and risk communication 

Animatic

Animating the storyboard with a draft narration, collecting feedbacks and defining the timing for the final animation

Production

Character Design

Vaccine Bottle

Mr. Bottle is the newest generic member of the vaccine family. He was born under the current vaccine development pipeline. Proud of who he is, he wants more people to know about his stories and to clear some misinformation about him. 

Charlie

Just like you and me, Charlie has doubts about new things he was asked to try. He speaks up about his concerns and looks for answers.

Screen Shot 2022-04-19 at 11.58.58 AM.png

Immune family

Immune cells are a group of diligent workers who react fast when there is danger in the body. 

B lymphocyte

Blymph2.jpg

Natural killer cell

Nkcell.jpg

Microphage

Cytotoxic T cell

KillerT.jpg

World Design

MRP_Guo_M_4K_Still_01.png
MRP_Guo_M_4K_Still_02.png
MRP_Guo_M_4K_Still_03.png
Screen Shot 2022-04-27 at 1.03.12 PM.png

Behind the Scenes
3D M
odelling

Funding

This project is funded by Jenkinson Lab, University of Toronto. 

©2025 by Mimi Guo Scientific Visuals. 

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