Posted April 20th, 2012 by XVIVO
I spent three days at
TEDMED this year. It wasn’t my first TEDMED but it was the most unique to date.
This time around, when people asked me “What do you do?” all I had to do was point up at the two giant monitors playing XVIVO’s medical animations raised high up in the National Building Museum. For me that might have been the best part. We’ve been working with TEDMED presenters for years but never before had we been asked by the organizers to contribute to the event directly to the degree we were involved this year.
We provided TEDMED with visuals used on access badges, banners, as well as animation loops played on-screen of the main stage in the Kennedy Center between presenters, and on two large screens during the last evening’s gathering at the National Building Museum. We also provided visual support for a key speaker presentation. We were more than a little honored to contribute in this way for TEDMED 2012. There are some opportunities you really want because you believe in the client and what they are doing. This was that case and one we were privileged to be a part of.
TEDMED’s world is changing – and I mean more than just a venue change from San Diego to DC (I missed the old Coronado but I had the pleasure of the Library of Congress, the National Building Museum and the National Portrait Gallery to make up for it). To begin with the audience more than tripled in size. In years prior we saw maybe 300 or 400 of our peers- this year I was one among over 1500 attendees. There was also a large group of younger participants – both attendees and speakers. Energized and inspiring, the group dynamic absolutely played a part in the experience. And of course the focus shifted and sought to include larger government organizations that may not have had the opportunity to join the TEDMED community in the past.
As Robert said in his
previous post, TEDMED is a conference dedicated to discovering and exploring the breadth of human potential. Many scientific conferences are primarily an intellectual exercise, exploring technologies that are years down the road or sharing inspirational anecdotes about what is already a reality. TEDMED was about putting brilliant technologies into use and having a real, immediate and positive effect on the world around us. We still caught a glimpse of burgeoning technologies - fascinating and inspiring but the focus of TEDMED was about making a difference today.
TEDMED is trying to spread its message to those who have the drive and ability to act. From the enthusiastic younger, and larger crowd to the dozens of government delegates who attended the three days of presentations; TEDMED seems to have made a good start with this new direction.
It’s our privilege at XVIVO to be a part of it, and I am very thankful we’ve been given the chance, especially in such a game changing year.
Tags: 3D Animation, scientific animation, TEDMED2012, xvivo
Posted by XVIVO in Talks & Travels
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Posted April 10th, 2012 by Robert
It’s our privilege to bring science to life through animation and illustration. All of our projects are special, but every once in a while we receive a truly unique opportunity. After our work with TEDMED 2011 presenters Sheila Nirenberg and Charles Pell we were invited to provide presentation material for TEDMED 2012. In a big way.
TEDMED is an important yearly conference. This year they are bringing together 1,500 thinkers from over 300 medical and non-medical fields to explore new medical technology and the potential for human achievement. The event is three days of key speakers whose ideas can change the medical realities of people worldwide.
We worked closely with lead speaker Francis S. Collins M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Institutes of Health on his presentation, “From Discovery to Health: Does it have to be a long and winding road?”
In addition we created a variety of visual material to engage, educate and inspire the attendees over the 3 day event. The experience has been one of the most rewarding endeavors to date.
The TEDMED conference represents an important gathering of minds and ideas essential to the progress of medical technology and the future of the human condition. We are honored for the trust and confidence TEDMED has placed in our team. Our goal in being a partner is to help bring their visions and celebrations of life to life, and we are thrilled to be part of this journey.
Tags: 3D Animation, Francis Collins, medical animation, National Institutes of Health, scientific animation, TEDMED 2012
Posted by Robert in Talks & Travels
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Posted March 1st, 2012 by Robert
It’s exciting to see Virtual Heart available and ready for download in the app store. In just a few short days it was downloaded over 3,000 times. A lot of hard work and effort went into this project, both from XVIVO and the talented people at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.
Virtual Heart is a great representation of what XVIVO strives for: taking something that can be so difficult to conceptualize, in this case the complex function of a human heart, and presenting it in an easy to understand way through vivid animation and amazing precision.
Virtual Heart allows you to observe every beat and contraction from the exterior and interior of the heart. It also allows you to track how exactly blood flows through the heart, and watch how electrical impulses trigger the valve’s contractions. You can even increase or decrease heart rate with the tap of a button. One of the most important facets of Virtual Heart is its constant motion. This isn’t some textbook diagram, this is a moving, beating display, a simulation of life at your fingertips, ready to be explored*. And to top it all off, its free! Check out Virtual Heart, and enjoy!
Tags: app store, free apps, Museum of science and industry, virtual heart app, XVIVO Scientific Animation
Posted by Robert in Inspiration, Medical Resources, Scientific Resources, Visualization Resources
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Posted February 5th, 2012 by Michael
I was having a drink with a medical illustrator colleague, the gin and tonic must have been on the strong side because our conversation turned to work…(don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, artists are inherently boring people) Anyway, we started to discuss the effectiveness of medical illustration and animation in health communication. An hour later, we left the bar no wiser. On the way home I thought that this was a topic that should be explored further, so I did a little research. In these next series of blog posts I will be explaining what I found and how this information can be used to create better, more effective medical media.
Let me start off by saying that the communication of health information through visual mediums has become essential to communicate the marvels of the medical world. This is because I believe that medical illustrations and animations positively affect learning retention for its viewers. Visuals make the communication of information to audiences easier and broaden the number of people who are able to process this info. However, there is still a lot of research to be done before universally communicable media can be created. Studying target audience and effective teaching methods, two subjects that I will go into in future blog posts, will help to increase successful communication and data recollection between health informants and recipients.
…So grab a drink and please join me in this conversation.
Posted by Michael in Inspiration, Medical Resources, Talks & Travels
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Posted January 31st, 2012 by Robert
With a mere week until the ePharma Summit in NYC, Michael and I are getting very excited to meet with colleagues both new and old to discuss the most up-to-date methods for e-marketing in the life sciences industry. The whole XVIVO team has been working hard to prepare some great animations that will play on the screens between sessions and they will even be used for the keynote speakers’ introductions.
Aside from our animations, I personally am excited to be presenting and exchanging ideas with colleagues on Wednesday, February 8th. The Case Study Tracks session on Multi-Channel HCP Marketing begins at 1:30pm and includes a presentation about building personal communication through non-personal promotion by Scott Wearley from Daichii Sankyo.
I will be presenting “Develop Interactive Programs and Animations to Aid Sales Force Efforts,” with William Tunno, the Director of Product Marketing at Incyte Corporation. William and I will discuss the development of the original MPN (Myeloproliferative Neoplasm) mechanism of disease (MOD) 3D animation program and its use as an interactive educational piece. This MOD animation program was also used in various other situations, like in meetings and printed marketing materials. The end goal was to create a knowledge base in anticipation for the products coming to market. It should be a very interesting presentation!
If you are interested in attending the ePharma Summit at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers which takes place February 6-8, use XVIVO’s discount code (XP1706XVIVO) when registering to receive a reduced admission price for the event. We look forward to seeing you there!
Tags: animations, ePharma, ePharma Summit, Incyte corporation, interactive programs, marketing with multimedia, mechanism of disease, michael ashtrachan, MOD, multi-channel HCP marketing, Robert Krensel, scientific animation, xvivo, XVIVO Scientific Animation
Posted by Robert in Talks & Travels
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Posted January 17th, 2012 by XVIVO
The 11th annual ePharma Summit is coming up. XVIVO is very excited to be attending and presenting at this year’s event. The ePharma Summit provides professionals in the life sciences industry a forum to discuss insights and experiences with their eMarketing colleagues on tactics to most effectively implement e-strategies and digital marketing techniques to educate, inform and drive business. This year, the ePharma Summit will be focusing on mobile ads, apps and text messaging, and discussing global perspectives of pharmaceutical marketers with experience in Brazil, Russia, India, China and others. There will also be speakers from top companies like WebMD, Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer and others.
The ePharma Summit takes place from February 6th through the 8th at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in NYC. We are grateful to have been asked to develop animated transitions to introduce each of the keynote speakers as well as provide animated clips to run on monitors and screens between sessions. Additionally, our own Robert Krensel will be presenting “Develop Interactive Programs and Animations to Aid Sales Force Efforts” at 2:15pm on Wednesday, February 8th.
If you use XVIVO’s discount code (XP1706XVIVO), you will receive a reduced admission price for this event. It’s a pleasure to be invited to participate in the Summit and we’ll be sure to keep you updated as it gets closer!
Tags: eMarketing, ePharma, life sciences, pharma marketing, science industry, XVIVO animations
Posted by XVIVO in Scientific Resources, Talks & Travels
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Posted December 24th, 2011 by Michael
I Just finished Vaccinated: One Man’s Quest to Defeat the World’s Deadliest Diseases By Dr. Paul Offit.
Vaccinated follows the life of Maurice Hilleman, a microbiologist who specialized in vaccinology and developed over three dozen vaccines…Dr. Hilleman, it can be argued, has probably saved more lives that any other person in human history. His story is incredibly inspiring…his passion and dedication are a beacon for all who desire to promote health, medical awareness and scientific understanding.
BTW, be sure to check out Dr. Offit’s appearance on The Colbert Report . Informative and Funny!
Posted by Michael in Inspiration, Medical Resources, Scientific Resources, Uncategorized
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Posted December 9th, 2011 by Michael
John Daido Loori, a photographer, videographer, and Zen Roshi
, always believed that art and spiritual enlightenment went hand in hand. He used photography as a lens to glimpse into what it means to really awaken both body and mind, and to point the way to truth. And, similarly, he used the principles of Zen to unlock his creativity and help guide his artistic endeavors.
Loori felt that people should try and dissolve the barriers between art and spirituality. He believed that the creative process should be uncluttered and unlimited, and, using Zen practices like “still point,” he was able to focus on his inner stillness in order to increase his creative output.
His Zen Mountain Monastery up in the Catskills of New York was built in 1980 to house and train students of his unique style of spiritual training. And even though Loori is no longer with us, his beliefs and teachings are still very much alive there today. Check it out!…Anybody can attend retreats at the monastery, where you will sit, work, and contemplate. I just attended a retreat there a couple of weekends ago…very intense!
ommm!
Posted by Michael in Inspiration, Stuff & Nonsense
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Posted December 8th, 2011 by Michael
XVIVO is showing up in all sorts of places! The Madison Public Library in Madison, Wisconsin, held a seminar last Thursday where they showed off our cell animations to anyone interested in the life of the cell. It was part of their “Discovery! Thursdays” science seminars, a partnership between the University of Wisconsin and the Madison Public Library. These seminars are a great chance for children (and adults) of all ages to learn about the inner workings of their bodies. It’s nice to think that our animations are making teaching a little easier!
You can read about the seminar here: http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/events/xvivo-animations-lives-cell-molecular-level-21073
Posted by Michael in Inspiration, Stuff & Nonsense, Talks & Travels, Uncategorized
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Posted December 7th, 2011 by Michael
I recently came across a blog by portrait artist John Ennis called “The Reilly Papers,” His Blog is dedicated to providing the teaching materials of the late Frank J. Reilly.
How did this come about? Well Ennis, (the lucky stiff) is the new owner of Reilly’s notes, and he has been kind enough to post them on this blog,
He organizes Reilly’s notes by topic and in the order that Reilly would have taught. The posts contain both scans of the notes as well as personal insights from Ennis on the material. There is also a page containing vocabulary that Reilly often used in class lectures.
These techniques have been shaping my creative work for years, and I think you will benefit from looking them over! Here’s the link: 
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Posted by Michael in Inspiration
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I spent three days at TEDMED this year. It wasn’t my first TEDMED but it was the most unique to date.
