Overview

Inspired by the clean aesthetic of Topicals' Slick Salve Mint Lip Balm, I developed a self-initiated concept to showcase the product through a fully animated 3D study. My goal was to create a high-end visual asset that emphasized the product’s form, finish, and desirability, while pushing my technical capabilities in lighting, motion, and rendering.

Challenge

Although the product had been successfully launched, it lacked cinematic, motion-driven visual content that showcased its physical appeal. I set out to design a standalone animation that could capture the product’s essence from all angles, exploring how brand minimalism could translate into motion.

Solution

Using Cinema 4D and the Octane Render Engine, I created a 360-degree rotating animation that emphasized material finishes, lighting dynamics, and product detail. The animation focused on fluid camera motion, environmental reflections, and macro-style reveals. Final compositing and polish were handled in After Effects, where subtle motion effects and color grading elevated the visual impact.

Outcome

Though unofficial, this piece highlights my ability to conceptualize and execute premium product animations independently. It served as a technical deep dive into 3D lighting and rendering, while reinforcing my versatility in creative direction, motion design, and visual storytelling. The final result added a high-fidelity product study to my portfolio and demonstrated my capability to deliver agency-grade visuals.