FIU Holiday Cartoon 2022

The aim of this video was to bring joy and holiday cheer to the FIU community and beyond. This project employed Cinema4D as the core software, integrated Greyscalegorilla's assets to add clay like texture to Roary and the background scenes, and employed Octane for rendering. Additionally, to enhance the viewer experience, a holiday version of FIU's fight song was created.

Project Objectives

The primary objectives of "Roary and the Festive Palm" included:

  1. Holiday Celebration: Craft an engaging 3D animated holiday cartoon that resonates with FIU's community and spreads the joy of the season.
  2. Skill Advancement: Utilize this project as an opportunity to further develop skills in 3D modeling, lighting, materials, and character animation within Cinema4D.
  3. Brand Integration: Incorporate FIU's beloved mascot, Roary, into the holiday theme to reinforce the university's identity and connect with the audience.
  4. Auditory Engagement: Create a holiday-themed version of FIU's fight song to evoke the spirit of the season and enhance the overall viewer experience.

Project Development

Concept and Design

The project's concept was to merge the holiday season with FIU's Panther spirit. It aimed to capture the festive atmosphere of Miami during the holidays, set against the backdrop of palm trees and sunshine.

3D Animation and Production

  • Software Choice: Cinema4D served as the primary software for 3D modeling and character animation.
  • Asset Utilization: Greyscalegorilla's assets were instrumental in bringing Roary to life, ensuring an appealing and captivating character.
  • Rendering Excellence: Octane was employed for rendering, guaranteeing high-quality visuals.

Launch and Reception

"Roary and the Festive Palm" was released during the Winter 2022 season, strategically timed to spread holiday joy within the FIU community and beyond. The animation was shared across various platforms, including social media and the FIU website. The response was highly positive, with viewers appreciating the fusion of holiday spirit and the university's mascot.

Outcomes and Impact

  1. Holiday Joy: The animation effectively achieved its primary objective of spreading holiday cheer and capturing the warm spirit of the season.
  2. Skill Growth: The project offered an excellent opportunity for skill enhancement in 3D modeling, lighting, materials, and character animation.
  3. Brand Representation: Integrating Roary into the festive context reinforced FIU's brand identity and strengthened its connection with the community.
  4. Auditory Engagement: The holiday version of FIU's fight song enhanced the animation, deepening the viewer's emotional connection.

Conclusion

"Roary and the Festive Palm" showcases the capacity of 3D animation to convey holiday spirit while reinforcing connections within a university community. By utilizing Cinema4D, Greyscalegorilla's assets, and Octane rendering, the project brought Roary the Panther to life in a festive context. The addition of a custom holiday soundtrack further enriched the viewer's emotional engagement. This project serves as a successful case study for crafting engaging, heartwarming content that embodies the essence of the holiday season while showcasing an institution's brand identity.

Client:FIU Social

Role:AnimatorProject Manager3D Modeler

Tools: Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Cinema4D Octane Renderer