The Problem

As I delved into this project, a notable challenge emerged—ensuring that the textures seamlessly aged and integrated into the footage. The project's core lay in capturing the essence of NextDay Recovery while preserving a natural, lived-in aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from various sources, the "simply spiked lemonade" commercial stood out, setting the bar for the vibe I sought to achieve.

The Outcome

To conquer the texture challenge, a strategic decision was made to leverage HDRI from the scene concurrently with capturing the footage plate. This dual approach not only ensured accurate lighting but also played a pivotal role in seamlessly integrating the robotic element within the footage. To further enhance authenticity, procedural textures were meticulously applied to the roughness and bump maps, preventing the robot from looking too polished. The result was a robotic persona mirroring the morning-after hangover experience—a visual symphony that resonates with NextDay's purpose.

The Results

The final 3D commercial was successfully deployed across NextDay Recovery’s social media platforms, receiving positive feedback for its creativity and effectiveness. The animation not only brought the brand's identity to life but also resonated with the audience, increasing brand awareness and engagement. By maintaining a balance between a polished product and a relatable visual story, the commercial succeeded in portraying NextDay as an essential recovery drink for its target market.
Project
"NextDay Recovery" Commercial
Client
Next Day Recovery
Role
Art Director, Motion Director
Tools
After Effects, Cinema 4D, Photoshop, Premiere Pro
Timeline
December 13, 2023

The Concept

A key challenge in the project was ensuring that the textures of the robotic element aged naturally and seamlessly integrated with the live-action footage. To solve this, I captured HDRI lighting from the scene alongside the footage plate, allowing for precise lighting and reflection in the 3D model. Procedural textures were applied to the roughness and bump maps of the robot to maintain a natural, worn look that conveyed the "morning after" hangover theme. The combination of HDRI lighting and texture adjustments resulted in a visually cohesive commercial that embodied the essence of recovery and NextDay’s purpose.

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Design System

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Motion & Keyframes

A key challenge in the project was ensuring that the textures of the robotic element aged naturally and seamlessly integrated with the live-action footage. To solve this, I captured HDRI lighting from the scene alongside the footage plate, allowing for precise lighting and reflection in the 3D model. Procedural textures were applied to the roughness and bump maps of the robot to maintain a natural, worn look that conveyed the "morning after" hangover theme. The combination of HDRI lighting and texture adjustments resulted in a visually cohesive commercial that embodied the essence of recovery and NextDay’s purpose.

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