Sunstripe Cider

Sunstripe Cider was a project that looked at creating 3 short-form social media videos that enticed and raised awareness with it’s viewer. By using photorealistic 3D rendering and macro shots, I managed to create and play with the idea of each can is filled with refreshing and delicious apples. This project has the fun challenge of rigging the can to be able to spiral and transform to and from apples as well as 3D modelling and simulating water splashes.

The fully rendered videos ready to use on social media. Rendered at a horizontal 1080 x 1920 resolution these videos are ready to be viewed on any device and social media website.

Ideation

Sunstripe Cider is a refreshing alcoholic beverage that wants to market itself as the new summer drink to quench your thirst. The aim was to create 3 distinct short product videos that got the audience interested in the product and aware of it's existence.

Immediately when looking at the design and branding I knew that playing with the packaging and the notion of "bursting with apples" was the best starting point. I began recreating the product in 3D and experimenting with the lighting to get a look that worked. It was fun experimenting and playing with the levels of condensation and minute details to add that realism.

Satisfied with the recreation, I began playing with the idea of combining apples and really exploring the design of the product. Afterall, this goal is to raise awareness, we need the audience to be able to identify the product out in the wild. So, I brainstormed the idea of using macro shots and fast motion to create moving shots that link the idea of Apples to Sunstripe Cider.

Development

By taking the idea of turning apples into the delicious cider, I began experimenting with rigging the can so that it could be pulled apart into a satisfying spiral. This part took a lot of trial and error to make sure the look and feel was right, in addition to making it easy to control. After some preliminary tests, all the was left was to create an apple version and see how it would look it motion.

This project was interesting in that it wanted photorealistic rendering but not necessarily have movement or things that can happen in reality. This gave me a lot of freedom to play around with what could happen and take the idea of "bursting with apples" to the extreme.

Animation

With the working rigs and models made, all that was left was to animate. When it comes to product videos the camera is a character that needs to be tamed. Due to the models being 1:1 scale it made it easy to explore and think about the angles I could use to showcase the product.

The emerald green and logo were clear points of focus, so it was a no brainer to have pans and whips to reveal them to the audience, planting the idea that this drink is refreshing and energizing.

Rendering

Originally, the product was supposed to be placed in a realistic environment, however, I pushed for the idea of using the brand colours and a plain background to shine the spotlight purely on the product. The aim is to raise awareness and allow the audience to identify the product, which a real environment could distract from. Although to keep it from being to plain I added some fizzy bubbles and condensation to add texture.

Playing around with lighting to re-create a studio effect and get nice highlights on the metallic texture was fun to explore and look at. The main goal with photorealism is to add imperfections to avoid everything looking perfect and uncanny.

Ready for yours?

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