With so much competition, brands need to connect with their audiences like never before. This means being both unique and memorable and is where 3D animation can really come into its own. These days more and more businesses are using 3D animation to grab their audience’s attention and leave a lasting impact. So, if you are scratching your head trying to think of ways to get your brand’s name out there, then here’s how a 3D character can really make a significant impact.
What is 3D character animation?
3D character animation is the art of bringing characters to life through slick visuals, creative design, and imaginative storytelling. It is the process of creating animated sequences using three-dimensional digital characters. It involves making characters move and act in a virtual 3D environment with lifelike movement and expressive qualities that are harder to convey in 2D.
For a visual representation here is a project we did for YAYA, an innovative product and brand design agency. We created two colourful characters, Mr and Mrs YAYA to help explain and connect more people to the company in a way that was fun, engaging and personable.
As a 3D character animation studio, we understand what an incredibly powerful tool it can be to market your brand and instantly connect with your audience.
Want to find out more about 3D character animation? Here is everything you need to know.
How can 3D characters elevate your brand?
Injects personality, emotion, and authenticity
A well-thought-out character can give your business that much-needed human element to relate to. Being able to create realistic and empathetic characters is how you stand out from the competition and really create a deep and meaningful connection with your audience. It is how you build trust and engagement with your target market and connect to them on a more personable level. Plus, it gives your brand a sense of personality and fun that makes people warm to your message much quicker and make you more recognisable in the public eye.
Tells a story to remember
People love great storytelling. It is how we are chemically wired. As a business, you most likely know this, and this is one of the reasons a well designed character is such a strong investment for your brand. It creates a narrative and tells a story that people want to follow. Without an interesting character a narrative can fall flat. That’s why they can be the perfect ingredient to add some spice and depth to any story.
It provides you with a lot of creative freedom
One of the major benefits of 3D characters is their versatility. No matter what type of character you are looking to create, a 3D character animation studio can make it happen. This flexibility and freedom is what makes it such a popular choice and brings with it a slew of opportunities. Whichever type of character you envision, it can most certainly be created, developed and then brought to life!
3D character animation, the good, the bad, and the ugly
As a seasoned 3D character animation studio, we have worked with companies across a whole range of industries to bring their characters and artistic vision to life. Trust us when we say we know what does and doesn’t work and there are certain creative aspects you need to consider for your project to be a success.
Keep it simple but memorable
While it’s great to have off-the-wall ideas, you don’t want to overcomplicate a project. A simple character animation that is memorable and relatable will work a lot better than trying to create something with too many bells and whistles.
You want to create a character that speaks to the audience and is authentic to your brand. This is what will grab and keep your audience’s attention. That doesn’t mean you just want a cookie-cutter character, but it should be simple and straightforward as well as being original and creative of course.
Have a clear vision and message
This is where planning and storyboarding come into play. You need to ensure that you have a clear vision for your brand, the type of character, and the message you want to convey. Otherwise, it can all get a bit confusing, which will not make for a great finished product.
If you aren’t sure of what type of design you want to go for, this isn’t a problem. We can work with you to develop a concept and collaboratively communicate using our creative strength with your business acumen to help the vision come to life! After all, that’s why we are here! We get to understand your brand and what you are looking to achieve and create a 3D character that ticks all the right boxes.
Make sure the character fits with your brand
Having a fun and inventive character is a nice start, but you need to ensure that it is in keeping with your brand. For example, a cutting-edge tech brand will want a very different type of character design compared to say, a children’s toy company. While going off the wall and wacky may work for some, others may want a more classical approach. Therefore, it’s important to get the balance just right so the tone doesn’t feel off.
The best ways to use 3D character animation
When it comes to these types of projects, here are some of the most popular use cases:
Engaging advertisements
3D characters can bring advertisements to life, creating engaging and entertaining stories that capture the audience’s attention. Expertly animated characters can help demonstrate your product’s benefits, tell engaging stories and convey your brand’s message in a way that resonates with viewers and leaves a lasting impact. They can be particularly popular on television adverts and also for use on social media platforms.
Brand mascots
Developing a 3D brand mascot can help humanise your brand and create a memorable character that encapsulates your values and personality as a business. These mascots can be used across advertising campaigns, social media, and promotional materials, making them an excellent return on investment.
When executed well, they can have years of longevity. Just take a certain Meerkat that was a huge commercial success for a price comparison website and has been used in their marketing campaigns for years, since being created all the way back 2009.
Educational content
3D characters can make learning fun and engaging for children and adults alike. Brands can use 3D characters to create explainer videos that simplify complex concepts or product features, making them more accessible and fun to watch.
To summarise! If you are looking for ways to give your brand a boost, 3D character animation may be just the ticket you are looking for. Not only does it truly connect with an audience, but it can provide real longevity and personality to a brand. It goes without saying that it’s always a fun and enjoyable process to work through as you get to see your character come to life!
Your 3D character is just a step away! If you want to discuss just how one might work for your business then get in touch here or give us a call at +44 (0) 207 2886 319.
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