Biosphere 2 Wonder Studio: A Visual Storytelling Studio Building Resilience through Video, Animation, and Data Visualization
Goals
Welcome to The Wonder Studio at Biosphere 2, where animation, film, and data visualization come together to tell powerful stories about our world and research. We’re more than just studio — we’re a creative lab, a launchpad for innovation, and a place where science meets imagination.
Our mission? To turn research into breathtaking visual narratives that captivate, educate, and inspire. Whether you're an artist, a scientist, an engineer, or just someone who loves to tell stories, The Wonder Studio is your space to explore bold ideas, experiment with new media, and push the boundaries of science communication.
We believe that data can be beautiful, that research deserves an audience, and that storytelling has the power to change how we see the world. Through immersive films, animated visuals, and cinematic storytelling, we make complex ideas accessible, engaging, and unforgettable. Join us in shaping the future of creative science communication!
Issues Involved or Addressed
This studio/laboratory addresses:
- The need for immersive experiential learning opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and community members to develop a deeper sense of wonder and awe for our natural world
- A void in creative science communication as a field of research that incorporates humor, data, and cinema-inspired storytelling into the way we explore, illustrate, and communicate our research
- A desire to create unique student workforce development experiences for future hyper-dynamic careers across creative arts, science, engineering, marketing, and technology disciplines
- An opportunity to make University of Arizona research more impactful through community-engaged outreach projects and storytelling
Methods and Tech
- Science Communication
- 2D & 3D Animation (After Effects, Dragon Frame, ProCreate, Stop Motion Studio)
- Commercial, Documentary, and Experimental Video Production (Cinema Camera/ DSLR video
Production, Pro Lighting and Sound) - Video Editing (Adobe Premiere Pro, Davinci Resolve, After Effects)
- Data Visualization & Infographics (Tableau, D3, Observable, Jupiter Notebooks)
- Marketing Science (Creative Marketing for Science and Nature)
- Computational Biology (AI and Nature, Digital Twinning, Photogrammetry)
- Ecological Design (Biomimicry, nature inspired design, resilience science)
Academic Majors of Interest
- Arts
- Civil & Biosystems Engineering
- Computer and Information Sciences
- Data Science
- Design
- Digital Arts & Information
- Environmental Science
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Film & Television
- Health Sciences
- Humanities
- Material Science
- Marketing
- Retailing & Consumer Science
Preferred Interests and Preparation
Skills (Hard & Soft)
- Animation: After Effects, Dragon Frame, Procreate, Stop Motion Studio,
- Video Production: Cinema Camera/DSLR operation, Lighting and Sound, Direction, Cinematography, Design/Build, Rigging
- Post Production & Color Grading: Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve.
- Data Visualization & Programming: Python, JavaScript, Tableau, D3.js, Observable, Git.
- Creative Writing: Copywriting, Script writing, typography
- Science Communication: Translating complex concepts, understanding science communication principles.
- Visual Storytelling: Crafting compelling visual narratives, Storyboarding, Mood Boards, understanding visual composition and pacing.
- Data Interpretation & Representation: Analyzing data, visually representing data clearly and compellingly.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Developing innovative approaches.
- General Digital Proficiency: Basic computer skills, file management.
Attributes (Desired Qualities)
- Passion for Science Communication: Genuine interest in making science accessible.
- Creative Curiosity: Desire to explore new ideas and approaches.
- Visual Acumen: Strong sense of visual aesthetics and design.
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to think critically about data.
- Problem-Solving Mindset: Proactive approach to identifying and solving challenges.
- Collaboration & Empathy: Ability to work effectively with others and understand diverse perspectives.
- Initiative & Self-Direction: Ability to work independently and take ownership.
- Commitment to Quality: Dedication to producing high-quality work.
Application Process
To express interest in this team, please complete the VIP Interest Form and select "Biosphere 2: Wonder Studio."
This VIP team is open to taking on student researchers for course credit or as work-study students when possible.