BBC Earth – Origins of Life videos on DNA, RNA and ATP


We were hired by BBC Earth to produce a series of three animations to accompany a longform article on the Origins of Life. As this was quite a technical article, the videos were to provide some visual relief, explaining some of the complex concepts more clearly. These focused on:
  • DNA, and how it assembles and replicates, allowing the storage and duplication of all the information needed to build an organism;
  • RNA, and how it codes for proteins, which are essential for life.  In the primordial soup, it may have been the first carrier of genetic information, as it is able to store information, replicated and catalyse reactions;
  • ATP, which is used to power every cell.  Proton pumps create a concentration gradient, which forces protons through the ATP synthase motor, which turns ADP into ATP, storing energy inside them that can be transported around the cell and used where needed.
We focused on a high visual quality, while still using real molecular structures throughout.  You can read the article online here: http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20161026-the-secret-of-how-life-on-earth-began DNA animation:   RNA animation:   ATP animation: