What does radar look like? We worked with the science team to create a visual language for two bands of invisible radar waves used onboard. It was critical to indicate the coverage angle and range of each radar unit. By separating the coverage of the radar into wedged representations, we were able to communicate what areas each of the sensors was tracking in an elegant and eye-catching way. We built a voxel-based cloud system for the clouds closest to the plane that would receive the radar interaction.
We partnered with the National Science Foundation and the National Center for Atmospheric Research to create animations explaining the functionality of Airborne Phased Array Radar or APAR, a critical tool in scientists’ ability to better study severe storms in remote areas like the open ocean and rugged terrain.
Expertise
- Science Communication
- Creative Direction
- 3D Modeling
- 3D Texturing
- 3D Animation
Visualizing the Invisible
Round We Go
We showcased the radar sensors on the plane with a turntable animation accentuated with animated callout tags.
Paint by Numbers
Our team created a detailed texture system for the plane’s skin. The science team was considering multiple paint schemes for the plane and we were able to easily audition different looks for their team to consider.