My thesis project from NYU CADA. Please see PDF below for design details, and reference.

CREDITS
Tehmina Beg - Direction, Design, Camera Animation, Modeling, Texturing, Lighting
Brian Waddell - Caustics, Fluids, Particles
Erin Arden - Telescope Model
Thesis Advisor - Michael Hosenfeld
Technical Advisors - Gavin Guerra, Zeth Willie, Jamie Williams
Program Directors - Patricia Heard-Green, Kathy Wang
Defense Panel - Erol Gunduz, Myles Tanaka, Todd Akita
 

 

This book has more details on the concept development and design influences.

(Please pardon any inconsistencies as this is a combined PDF)