The context
As is tradition, in the summer of 2025 we at 3Cat launched a promo spot showcasing the holiday season's content, adapted to all formats and channels of the corporation. The spot features the song “DMs” by up-and-coming artist Ouineta, paired with imagery that captures typical summer scenes, as well as the programming line-up prepared for television, radio, and the platform.
The challenge
The team needed an ending to round off the spot: the 3Cat logo transformed into a realistic pool floatie, interacting with a person diving onto it, and designed to work as a standalone ID for TV3's continuity. Its animation had to feel believable, yet remain relatively controlled to ensure a consistent and polished brand presence in line with the branding guidelines.
Modeling and Physics
First, I modeled the floatie based on the 3Cat logo, applying Blender’s physics system and tweaking it until reaching an optimal result. I then carried out a water simulation, recreating the type of waves seen in the original footage. Finally, I manually animated the position of each letter in the logo to have greater control over the brand and its visualization. By combining these steps and applying physics to the floatie, I achieved a very realistic movement and interaction, perfectly aligned with what was needed.
Integration
To make it as realistic as possible, I needed to integrate the 3D model into the original clip. I created a material that mimicked a conventional pool floatie and set up lighting to match the scene. I then exported the sequence to After Effects, where I handled the compositing, adding shadows, splashes, caustics, and other elements.
Within the same spot, I also carried out minor adjustments, such as cleaning up a balloon to achieve a neater final result. I had to refine the surface of the balloon, add the logo, match the lighting, and animate everything in line with the original footage.
© 2025 3Cat. Project carried out as part of the internal graphic design team.
The use of this or similar artwork is strictly prohibited without the explicit and written approval of the copyright holder.
