Observing things closely is one of the basic requirements of my work as a designer and I don’t like to imagine what it would be like to do without my sense of sight. The Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB) is currently developing a therapy for a specific type of genetic sight loss. A demand exists for customized visualizations that explain to a wider audience how therapies work. The coronavirus pandemic and the corresponding debates about vaccines against the virus in particular have raised public awareness of remedial substances, resulting in a desire to be informed.
In this thesis, I examined the use of 3D models and storytelling in popular science communication. I took a critical look at current design conventions, with the aim of increasing the trustworthiness of 3D animations and revealing their full potential as a communicative tool. Using my own animation, I explored my scope for designing microbiological structures and showed how the medium of the moving image can be an appealing means to foster an understanding of pharmacological processes.
«Ida analyses and critically reviews existing conventions of medical illustration and visualization. Her design process is guided by basic questions such as the «trustworthiness» of knowledge content and therapeutic methods. She develops suggestions as to how this aspiration could be achieved by means of designing, staging and narrating medical content and imagery. This Master’s project is of outstanding quality in terms of its content analysis, design, communication concept and creative-technical realization. It is also an important contribution to the discourse around the features, functions and effects of medical visualization, including its power and responsibilities.» – Excerpt from the supporting statement of the Knowledge Visualization
«I have chosen 3D animation for the popular scientific communication of current research that deals with chemical processes. So far, this type of video had mainly been used for commercial purposes to market pharmaceutical products.» – Ida Künzle
«In see my future as a designer who explains complex content to the general public in an appealing way.» – Ida Künzle
