Gene therapy, cell therapy and gene editing are fields of biomedical research with similar goals in mind: To treat disease by changing our bodies at a microscopic level. Specifically, these approaches aim to change our genetic makeup. However, each one changes our genetic material in slightly different ways.

Gene therapy is a fitting approach for diseases caused by a single gene mutation, like SMA. It targets the cause of disease by delivering a fully functioning copy of the gene into motor neuron cells. Let's learn more about how it works.

Leukodystrophies are a set of rare genetic disorders that affect how the central nervous system functions. Since these disorders are all caused by a faulty genes, gene therapy might be able to help.

Project Overview

This project consisted of a series of 8+ videos showcased on ASGCT’s website. Demo Duck contracted us for three of them. In addition to the three videos, Motifize was also in charge of developing and coordinating a style guide so that all teams working on the project, (the teams were scattered across the world, from Argentina, to Europe) would stay consistent with each video produced. The team at Demo Duck was great to work with, Theresa Brooks is an all star of a project manager. This project was definitely a team effort and we had to be in constant communication with the designers, animators, and the project manager. The results were fantastic, working with the team in Argentina, FÚ, was such a positive experience. Below shows a breakdown of our process to complete this project. All images featured in this portfolio are property of Demo Duck, Motifize was contracted by Demo Duck to create the styleframes, storyboards, design guidelines, artwork, and animation.

Agency Partner: Demo Duck
*Producer**: Theresa Brooks*
*Storyboards**: Dan Noakes*
*Artwork**: Michelle Noakes*
*Animation**: Dan Noakes*
ACD: Kelsie Ozamiz
Lead Writer: Jarrett Hothan
Art Directors: Rohan McDonald, Nicky Mazur
Sound Design: Parlante Sound

Storyboard Sketches

Design Guidelines

We split the colors into primary and secondary colors. The colors on the top row are the most commonly used colors while the colors on the second row are used as accent colors. Colors can stray from the from the colors below if needed to provide sha… — We split the colors into primary and secondary colors. The colors on the top row are the most commonly used colors while the colors on the second row are used as accent colors. Colors can stray from the from the colors below if needed to provide shadows and highlights on elements that you can’t create with the given color pallet.

Animation Process

A mix of 3D and 2D was used in this scene. The DNA strand is a 3D animation created in Cinema 4D using still images as references. The 3D animation sequence was then composed in After Effects for the final shot.

Character rigs were essential for the head rotations. Joysticks and Sliders, a plugin for After Effects was our saving grace.

Traditional animation techniques were used for such things as the DNA strand seen above and also the flying blobs that you see throughout the video.

Artwork

If you are interested in an animated video, please feel free to contact us. We are very prompt to respond to inquiries and we would be happy to show you more of our work and our process.

ASGCT