Welcome to 3188! We take you behind-the-scenes of this season's Star Trek: Discovery motion graphics. In this new era things may look familiar but what is not obvious is many of them are comprised of programmable matter. That is matter that can be controlled and programmed at the most fundamental level. 

Star Trek: Discoverystreams exclusively on CBS All Access in the United States, airs on Bell Media’s CTV Sci-Fi Channel and streams on Crave in Canada, and on Netflix in 190 countries.

Behind-the-Scenes of Star Trek: Discovery's Motion Graphics

Book's Ship is one of the first examples we get to see of this 32nd-century technology. The computer interfaces and holograms have evolved some very new properties. The holo display on Book’s viewscreen looks familiar to emphasize the hidden difference that is the programmable matter its made of. The holo display hovers on both sides of the glass and it can form solid objects like the face of an adversary! 

One of the most interesting new developments in Book’s ship is the programmable matter consoles. We developed this geometric pattern that would “intuitively" react to a users hand gestures. It can also form objects for precise control. Many of these objects are a mix of holographic and metallic elements combined to form something a user can touch.

Here are some of the design concepts developed for Book’s consoles. Unlike previous eras in the Star Trek universe, the computer interface  (LCARS) is not the typical 2D graphics on a screen or advanced 3D holograms. In this new environment the interaction with technology is mostly through programmable matter formed into ergonomic objects. They can take almost any form from solid to liquid, and even holographic. 

The design concept rendered here is where we developed the helm control and warp speed settings.

In "That Hope is You, Pt 1" we encounter the Mercantile Exchange on planet Hima. It has many holographic signs typical to this era. These signs are made of programmable matter, an interesting mix of holographic and solid elements. We developed many updated versions of the known Star Trek languages and even created some new ones. Andorian and Orion are the dominant languages seen here but if you look closely, many other languages are visible, including some which have never been seen before.

An alternate view of the holo / programmable matter signs.

Here are some of the Mercantile Exchange sign designs. Many are a mix of holograms, glass, steel, and light. We animated each one to compete for attention in this busy shopping district.

Many of the signs in the Mercantile Exchange were smaller, more interactive designs. Here is a collection of programmable matter objects for sale. Each one is surrounded by a hologram depicting various information, including negotiable prices. 

Behind-the-scenes of this season's motion graphics.

Welcome to Star Trek: Discovery's Year 3188

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Welcome to Star Trek: Discovery's Year 3188

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