Keywords: Research, UI/UX Design, Literature, Experiential Design, User Research

Digital Tools Used: Figma

Years: 2025-2026

Colleagues: Jiamin Song (PhD), Jessica Diaconu, Huyen Tran Pham

The Tale of the Twins is an interactive children’s storybook inspired by neuroscience research conducted by colleague Jiamin Song (PhD Neuroscience, McGill University) on how early-life stress can shape emotional development, fear responses, and resilience differently across individuals. Translating complex scientific concepts into an accessible fairytale narrative, the project follows a family of squirrels whose twins grow and respond to their environment in contrasting ways, reflecting research on childhood adversity, emotional regulation, and adaptive behaviour.

Developed as both a digital and physical experience, the project combines illustrated storytelling, interactive design, and pop-up book elements to make neuroscience approachable for audiences of all ages. The digital version presents the story through an interactive interface with embedded scientific discoveries, while the physical book incorporates immersive pop-up scenes and tactile interactions that bring key moments to life. Together, the project bridges scientific research and creative storytelling to encourage reflection on mental health, development, and the long-term impact of early experiences.

The project was created through The Convergence Initiative, an independent Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to advancing neuroscience and art while encouraging collaboration between the two disciplines.

View the entire detailed report of the project by clicking here.

Read about Jiamin Song’s research by clicking here.