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VANTAGE BANK + JAMES NELSON
December 12, 2024
✨ James Nelson brings the whimsy ✨
Illustrator James Nelson was recently awarded an exciting new project by Vantage Bank to create their 2024 Holiday card. His illustration will be featured on a printed card as well as an animated version to be sent to the bank’s clients via email.
For this project, the client requested a design featuring seven unique bird species native to Texas, each representing a different region and location across the state. James brought the concept to life by grouping the birds together on a stylized wreath adorned with a ribbon. In the animated version, three of the birds will take flight from the wreath, adding a dynamic and engaging touch to the design.
James thoroughly enjoyed researching and learning about the colorful birds indigenous to Texas’s various cities and regions. He embraced the challenge of creating a whimsical yet sophisticated design that perfectly met the client’s vision for a one-of-a-kind holiday card.
🏈 Bringing the NFL Logo to Life in 3D: Lincoln Durham’s Creative Process 🏈 When TracyLocke, Frito-Lay, and the NFL needed a 3D logo that was both highly textured and fully editable, they knew exactly who to call - Lincoln Durham . His challenge? Take a designed logo and turn it into a dynamic 3D masterpiece that could be easily customized and animated. Lincoln used Cinema 4D and Illustrator to create the logo, building every shape with live extruded vector elements. This meant that adjusting depth, bevels, or even switching to a Spanish version was a breeze. To make the logo pop, Lincoln tapped into Redshift inside Cinema 4D, adding realistic camera bokeh and lens streaks. But the real showstopper? The lightning. Created from vector shapes and textured to act as independent light sources, it gave the logo an electrifying presence. Originally, all the elements were locked within the logo, but Lincoln later split them up for easier positing. This made edits and modifications smoother, ensuring the final product met every creative demand without a hitch. Lincoln’s ability to merge technical precision with creative flair turned this NFL logo into a standout piece. At Those 3 Reps, we’re all about celebrating talent that takes branding to the next level. Need a show-stopping 3D design? Let’s make it happen!
Taking Spottie to New Heights (or Depths!): Freshly Cooked Creative’s Latest YouTube Ad for Super.com From the first concept sketch to the final frame, Freshly Cooked Creative brought the Underwater Spottie YouTube ad for Super.com to life with energy, precision, and a whole lot of fun. This project was all about pushing animation to new heights (or depths!) to make Spottie shine—literally and figuratively. The Creative Process As with any great animation, the journey began with strong illustration and storytelling . The team at Freshly Cooked Creative worked through multiple concept sketches, refining each frame to ensure Spottie's underwater world felt vibrant and full of life. Bringing those illustrations into motion required expert animation and motion design , balancing fluid movement with engaging visual storytelling. The result? A dynamic, eye-catching ad that captures attention and delivers an unforgettable brand experience. Why Motion Matters In today’s fast-moving digital landscape, motion design plays a crucial role in brand storytelling. A well-executed animated spot doesn’t just entertain—it connects, informs, and engages. With Underwater Spottie , Freshly Cooked Creative crafted an ad that not only highlights the brand but also leaves a lasting impression. Whether it’s a high-energy commercial, a sleek brand animation, or a whimsical character-driven spot, Freshly Cooked Creative thrives on bringing ideas to life through motion . Want to see more? Check out their latest work and let’s bring your next project to life.
Some images don’t just capture food—they capture an experience. For Carl’s Jr.’s El Diablo Burger , the goal wasn’t just to showcase layers of jalapeños, habanero sauce, and melted pepper jack cheese. It was about conveying heat—the kind you can feel before you even take a bite. That’s where Photographer/Director Rusty Hill (some may say, burger master) stepped in, taking the challenge beyond the plate and into the realm of storytelling. Rather than relying on post-production effects to create the burger’s fiery persona, the shoot took a more authentic approach: lighting the jalapeños on fire, capturing the drama in real time. The flames weren’t just an afterthought—they were an extension of the burger’s intensity. The result is a photograph that feels as bold as the flavors themselves. The flicker of flames, the deep shadows, and the natural glow of the embers don’t just highlight the food—they evoke the slow burn of a spice that lingers long after the first bite.