#memory palace

Results

Style Frame 1 - Metaphase

Style Frame 2 - Anaphase

Style Frame 3 - Telophase

Style Frame 4 - Cytokinesis

Reflection + Evaluation

Going back to the philosophy of infographics, these renders could be enhanced by having graphical annotations that takes a snapshot zoomed into the nucleus and showcases what is happening to the chromosomes (containing the DNA). These renders would immediately make sense to someone familiar with biological processes and mitosis, but it would not make sense to the average person because there is such little information to explain what is happening. Therefore, if I took this project further, I would think to include such context in a digestible way.

Moving on from planning into making, I made two files: one for the DNA replication process, and another one for the cytokinesis (division) process. I made two projects as I was unsure which one of the two ideas to go for.

DNA Replication project

Figure 1 - DNA replication project in Cinema4D viewport.

Figure 2 - DNA replication project in Cinema4D viewport.

Figure 3 - DNA replication project render.

Figure 4 - Elements making up the helix

This helix visualisation was intended for a DNA replication breakdown project, part of the interphase stage before mitosis. I was enjoying making a jelly-like glowing material for this helix. However, I realised that I had been using the standard Cinema 4D renderer and materials. I wanted to explore Redshift but I liked what I had already done in this project. Since I was already stuck between 2 ideas for a project, I took this as an opportunity to explore Redshift materials and renders in a cytokinesis project. As a result, I put this helix project on hold.

Cytokinesis project

I used cloners to give the illusion of the cell separating. I did a simple animation of the mitosis process so that I could then render out the key beats as style frames. Figure 5 shows a viewport playblast of this.

Figure 5 - Cytokinesis project viewport render

Figure 6 - Cell setup

As I had explored a jelly-like texture before with the standard Cinema 4D shader, I wanted to try make a jelly-like texture in Redshift. I did this by adding noise to the bump map. This was a similar process to what I did with the Cinema 4D standard shader in the helix project.

Figure 7 - Material setup

Figure 8 - Material preview in the viewport

I am familiar with using Maya as a 3D software and Arnold as a renderer, so it felt familiar using the nodes to make materials in Cinema4D (Figure 7).

I made the outer jelly coat of the cell translucent so that the nucleus on the inside could be seen, as the nucleus is important to illustrate and bring attention to when it comes to the stages of mitosis (mitosis involves DNA replication, which happens in the nucleus).

I chose to do a translucent jelly texture for the membrane to signal to the viewer that this is a cell.

After textures, I inserted a skydome and put a HDRI on the skydome to give lighting information to the scene for the texture to catch. I then set up area lights in a basic three-point setup. The renders of these can be seen in Figures 9-11.

Figure 9 - Cytokinesis project render; metaphase stage

Figure 10 - Cytokinesis project render; anaphase stage

Figure 11 - Cytokinesis project render; telophase stage

From using Redshift renderer and Redshift materials, I can see how it produces photoreal results compared to the standard Cinema 4D materials and renderer which feel dated stylistically. This makes Redshift a good renderer option for photoreal renders.

Reflection and Evaluation

After exploring the Cinema4D software and the Redshift renderer, I can see why they are the top choice of renderer and software in the motion graphics and scientific animation space. The modelling approach in Cinema4 is non-destructive and Redshift produces photoreal results. I would choose to use this software in the future if I chose to pursue motion graphics.

Bibliography

daisukexdark (2020) Cinema 4d Cell Modeling & Animation Example. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zMeSSFfjw4 (Accessed: 27 January 2026).

Daniel Danielsson (2024) C4D TUTORIAL | Realistic DNA (and Unrealistic DNA) 🧬. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZStz4UGiN44 (Accessed: 27 January 2026).

Pluralsight Courses and Tutorials (2013) Top Tip: Use Cloners to Create a Dividing Cell in CINEMA 4D. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMeNgWs6krs (Accessed: 27 January 2026).

Inspired by medical animation, I wanted to take explore this further during the assignment. Having studied biology at A-Level, I thought to present a biological process in 3D.

A biological process that first came to mind was mitosis, which is cell division. To refresh my memory on the stages of mitosis and to get inspiration from others, I conducted some research by looking at explanatory videos and of the process and 3D visualisers.

From watching the Amoeba Sisters' video on mitosis (2016), I was able to sketch out and storyboard the key beats of the process (Figures 1-4).

Figure 1 - basic beatboard for mitosis, focusing on a narrative to put the process in context

Figure 2 - another basic beatboard for mitosis, drawing more focus to the DNA replication part of the process, again focusing on narrative to contextualise the process.

Figure 3 - quick sketch considering focusing on only the DNA replication part of the process

Figure 4 - Beat board of the mitosis process only without going into the details of DNA replication and without context

These sketches explore the different ways that I can show the process. At first, I thought it would be best to show the process in context to demonstrate to a viewer why the process happens. Figures 1 and 2 storyboard how mitosis aids repair of cuts and injuries in our skin.

However, I realised that this could actually complicate the process for a viewer. Instead, I thought it could be better to delve deeper into specific stages of the process. Figure 3 considers focusing on DNA replication which happens in interphase (the stage before mitosis getting ready for cell division). Figure 4 on the other hand considers focusing on the actual division process, where the cells split.

Once I had a better idea of what to focus on, I began to mood board the process. Figure 5 is a screenshot from the mood board where I have annotated the stages that I want to present in 3D.

Figure 5 - planning which stages to show in the 4 style frames.

Figures 6-8 show the rest of the mood board where I have collated visualisations of the different elements of the process to help guide the project stylistically.

Figure 6 - mood board section visualising the chromosomes

Figure 7 - mood board section visualising the cells

Figure 8 - mood board section visualising the stages of mitosis

Finally, I decided to focus on showing the later stages of mitosis: 1. Metaphase; 2. Anaphase; 3. Telophase; 4. Cytokinesis. (Highlighted in Figure 5).

Having researched medical animation previously, I found that Cinema4D is the software primarily used as it is best for motion graphics. I have some experience in Cinema4D from doing work experience as a 3D Artist at the animation studio Art&Graft, so I will be using this assignment as an opportunity to delve deeper into the software.

Bibliography

Amoeba Sisters (2019) DNA Replication (Updated). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqe4thU-os8 (Accessed: 26 January 2026).

Amoeba Sisters (2016) Mitosis: The Amazing Cell Process that Uses Division to Multiply! (Updated). Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ldPgEfAHI (Accessed: 26 January 2026).

Curious Refuge (2015) Cell Dividing: Adobe After Effects Tutorial. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aBw5LqUT5w (Accessed: 23 March 2026).

daisukexdark (2020) Cinema 4d Cell Modeling & Animation Example. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zMeSSFfjw4 (Accessed: 23 March 2026).

Thom Leach (2022) Mitosis Animation. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ybxaYhRpIA (Accessed: 26 January 2026).