Emily Simpson
Accurate depiction is an important part of scientific understanding. As an artist, I make difficult concepts more accessible to a variety of audiences, and build quicker universal comprehension. I am committed to a high level of draftsmanship in my work, and I truly enjoy paying attention to tiny, precise detail, along with capturing the beauty and personality of what I depict. Tone, form, and texture are some of my favorite challenges to play with in an illustration to draw the viewer’s eye to significant details. I often mix both traditional and digital media to create a more effective final piece.
I recently developed an interest in 3D modeling and animation as an approach to scientific understanding, which I chose to further explore in my thesis. I focused on the trapping mechanism of the Venus flytrap, as it is a very complicated and poorly understood process that I felt could be communicated most effectively using 3D. I originally intended to print a model I designed as an interactive piece, but due to the circumstances I had to make some major changes. I decided to utilize my models as part of an animation, which was a huge learning experience for me. Ultimately, while I was not able to follow through with my original plans, I learned several new processes which I am excited to dive further into in the future.
Thigmonastic trapping response in Venus flytraps
The Venus flytrap trapping mechanism works selectively—the hairs must be triggered at least twice in twenty seconds to generate trap closure. In order for digestion to occur, hairs must continue to be triggered within the closed trap. This selectivity helps prevent the plant from wasting energy.
When a hair is triggered, an electrical response is generated which allows the trap to close. The exact mechanisms by which the trap closes are not yet fully understood. However, experiments have supported a system of hydraulics, coupled with cell lengthening, to cause warping of the midrib and lobes.