San Diego, CA ­­– The Fleet Science Center

Immersive Enterprise Laboratories (IEL) today announced The Science of Animation, a live, hands-on pop-up activation showcasing the creation of animation in real-time. Taking place at the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park from September 27–28, the event will give the public an unprecedented chance to step inside a fully functioning animation studio and explore every stage of this revolutionary new real-time animation pipeline—blending science, art, and technology into one immersive, dynamic experience.

For the first time ever, audiences will see how animation can be built collaboratively in just one weekend (instead of years). Guests will join Ruby, the cosmic science adventurer, on a journey through the world of animation. At interactive creative stations, participants can sketch, sculpt, and craft textures before watching their work come to life through cutting-edge tools such as the HP Z Captis, ZBrush, and Unreal Engine. IEL’s team of “animation scientists” will guide the collaborative process.

Adding to the groundbreaking experience:

• Fortnite Island Adventure – Guests will step into a custom Fortnite Island inspired by Ruby’s universe, extending the exhibit into an interactive gaming world.
• Live-Streamed Concert – Guests will help design and produce a concert performance within IEL’s real-time pipeline, which will be streamed globally via YouTube, turning a local exhibit into a worldwide event.
• Animation Legends On-Site – The weekend will feature appearances and mentorship from animation greats, including Bill Perkins (Disney), Randolph Williams (Disney), and veteran artists and designers from Pixar and other top studios, giving guests the chance to learn directly from the masters.

“The Science of Animation isn’t just about watching how animation is made—it’s about learning how to create animation in real-time, and making it together,” said Daniel Urbach, co-founder and Co-CEO of Immersive Enterprise Laboratories. “By combining immersive technology, artistry, and collaboration, we’re giving San Diego a first look at how animation can be reimagined as both a science and a community experience.” 

“What I am most passionate about with this experience is that this is a moment where Arts is driving S-T-E-M. It gives visitors a new type of experience to engage with the sciences,” said Blake Baxter, co-founder and Co-CEO of IEL. 

The Science of Animation pop-up is a sneak peek at a traveling exhibit IEL is developing for San Diego’s Fleet Science Center, designed to inspire future creators and showcase the intersection of science, technology, and storytelling. 

Dr. Steven Snyder, President and CEO of the Fleet Science Center, says, "We are committed to creating spaces where science, technology, and creativity intersect. Partnering with IEL to debut The Science of Animation allows us to invite our community to not just witness innovation, but to become active creators in it." 

The activation is made possible with the support of industry partners, including HP, NVIDIA, AMD, Xencelabs, Adobe, Vicon, PeelDev, House of Moves, JALI Research Inc., Ozone, and others. Together with IEL, they are pioneering a future where animation is no longer a slow, linear craft, but a live, interactive, community-driven art form. Come and experience firsthand how creativity and technology converge to create a new era of modern animation. 

Event Details: 

Fleet Science Center – Balboa Park, San Diego 

September 27–28, 2025 

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily