Mattathias (Max) Needle's Portfolio
Here, I share some samples of my work in science communication and design. All images (2D and 3D) are original work except for the Unity logo which is used in the pipeline image.
I manage www.virtualfieldgeology.com (this website). Although this particular page is my portfolio, you may explore other pages of this website to view some of my work in virtual field geology.
I manage www.virtualfieldgeology.com (this website). Although this particular page is my portfolio, you may explore other pages of this website to view some of my work in virtual field geology.
Explaining my Ph.D. lifestyle and research to a 7th grader
Here are images of a comic book that I included to my pen pal through the program Letters to a Prescientist. The comic book was accompanied by text, so some of the images below (e.g., the instruments) have no apparent context.
Structural Geology Query Toolkit
Some of the images below are from my publications on the Structural Geology Query Toolkit. The menu for this website will also assist in navigating to information about this work.
- Needle, M. D., Mooc, J., Akers, J. F., & Crider, J. G., The Structural Geology Query Toolkit for digital 3D models: Design custom immersive virtual field experiences, 2022: Journal of Structural Geology, 163, 104710. [link]
- Needle, M. D., Crider, J. G., Mooc, J., & Akers, J. F., Virtual field experiences in a web-based video game environment: open-ended examples of existing and fictional field sites, 2022: Geoscience Communication, 5(3), 251-260. [link]
Whaleback Virtual Field Excursion
Explore this virtual field excursion, the Whaleback, the flagship game produced with the Structural Geology Query Toolkit.
Sample of Conference Poster (low resolution)
I made this poster in CorelDraw, a vector-illustration software (similar to Adobe Illustrator). It features photos, screenshots of my video-game work, and images of 3D art that I made.
Reference:
Needle, M. D. and Crider, J. G., New ways of looking at the Whaleback Anticline: a video-game based virtual field experience to enhance access, learning, and scientific discovery, 2022: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 54, no. 3.
Reference:
Needle, M. D. and Crider, J. G., New ways of looking at the Whaleback Anticline: a video-game based virtual field experience to enhance access, learning, and scientific discovery, 2022: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 54, no. 3.
Structural Geology -- employing a multitude of design techniques for one image
I created this graphic with several graphics programs.
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Paleontology
My undergraduate research included two different studies on burrows: One made by an ancient amphibian and another made by a dinosaur that was digging for mammals. Here is an image from the latter publication for which I used a classic stippling technique to illustrate the fossilized burrow.
You can see the journal article here: Simpson, E. L., Hilbert-Wolf, H. L., Wizevich, M. C., Tindall, S. E., Fasinski, B. R., Storm, L. P., Needle, M. D., 2010, Predatory digging behavior by dinosaurs: Geology, v. 38, no. 8, p. 699-702. |
Rutgers Geology Museum
During my time at the Rutgers Geology Museum, I was the in-house graphic designer. Below are a few samples of my work.
Da Vinci Science Center -- Medieval Science Camp
I developed two summer camps for the Da Vinci Science Center. Below are some excerpts from my "Alchemist's Cookbook," a workbook that guided campers through science activities. The weeklong camp had an overarching theme of tracking a dragon that was attacking villages, and the campers learned about chemistry, biology, and engineering in order to "gear up" for a final showdown with the dragon.
Other Science Related Cartoons
Press
The following are links to some press coverage of my work in science:
Virtual Field Excursion Research
Paleontology
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This is an invited talk I gave at Central Washington University. The talk was broadcasted live on Nick Zentner's Youtube channel.
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