Rolling Breakfast Dreams

About this project:

⟡ "Rolling Breakfast Dreams" invites audiences into a series of breakfast bonanza. This 3D motion graphics series intertwines the magic of gambling fantasies with the sensory pleasure of breakfast, creating an exciting visual symphony. Each one from the series unfolds as a dreamscape, blending vibrant animations with the comforting rituals of breakfast. Viewers are brought into a world where the joy of gambling grits meet the aroma of freshly baked croissant, creating a unique fusion of animated fantasy and the tangible delights of the morning table.

Part I: Research

A glimpse into my initial concept:

⟡ My initial concept for this project was born from a desire to explore the unexpected juxtaposition of breakfast – a symbol of routine and comfort – with the playful tension of gambling. It's true, a deeper analysis could reveal undercurrents of addiction. However, I'm primarily interested in the visual intrigue of merging these seemingly disparate elements. Imagine a beautifully set table, complete with steaming coffee and fluffy pancakes, but with elements like playing cards, dice, or poker chips integrated. It's a commentary on the unexpected ways we can infuse playfulness and chance into everyday rituals.

Mood-board:

⟡ I wanted to achieve a vintage aesthetic through a harmonious blend of muted neutrals and earthy hues, but also infusing unexpected bursts of vibrant colors.

References/ Samples of Desired Final Outcome:

⟡ Softly textured, semi-realistic with a warm light source.

Part II: From Concept to Canvas

Sketching out my style-frames for each individual scene.

Initial Sketch:

Refined Sketch:

⟡ In refining the style-frames, I zoomed out slightly to showcase more table elements and adjusted the middle sketch to a top-down view for visual consistency.

Part III: Modelling Process

This is where I start modelling the objects in Blender, scene by scene.

Scene 01:

⟡ The toaster was the object I enjoyed modelling the most. I used subdivision tools and strategically placed loop cuts to achieve the desired shape. To further emphasize the concept, I added a bicycle card deck logo directly onto the toaster. This logo itself was a collaborative effort between Photoshop and Illustrator, before being imported as an SVG into Blender and converted into a 3D element.

⟡ To further refine the message, I opted to swap the initially planned cigar for additional breakfast items, strengthening the core theme of the scene.

Progress Overview: Wireframe to Rendered.

Style-Frame Refinement:

Initial (Left) vs Refined (Right)

⟡ I upped the ante on the scene with a few strategic tweaks! The original cloth texture felt a bit plain, so I swapped it out for a more visually interesting option. This adds a touch of vibrancy and helps draw the viewer's eye into the composition.

⟡ Next, I made some subtle adjustments to the placement of objects. This wasn't just about aesthetics – it was also about clarity. To emphasize the playful nature of the concept (pancake chips!), I added a honey stick next to the plate. This little detail provides a clear visual cue, helping viewers understand the intended twist on classic breakfast fare.

⟡ By incorporating a richer texture and adding the honey stick, I was able to create a more engaging and whimsical scene that effectively conveys the concept.

Other Close-Up Shots of the Scene:

Scene 02:

⟡ The pool table pushed my limits! It took about 2 hours to complete, with a clever trick: I only modeled a quarter of the table and mirrored the rest. Initially, I tried a "go-it-alone" approach using booleans for the pockets, but after some struggles, I wisely consulted a tutorial.

⟡ The croissant, on the other hand, was a breeze! As it was less complicated than I have expected it to be. I started with a simple plane, adjusted the vertices for a triangular shape, and used deformation tools to bend and curve it to life. Finishing with a solidify modifier gave it a nice, solid form.

⟡ Pool Table Tutorial: Link here.

Progress Overview: Wireframe to Rendered.

Style-Frame Refinement:

Initial (Left) vs Refined (Right)

⟡ Subtle tweaks brought the Monopoly scene to life! While the major elements were already in place, I felt the scene could benefit from a touch more realism. The first version of the croissant looked a bit too "perfect", so I added a subtle noise texture by playing around with the nodes. This texture mimics the natural imperfections you'd find in a real croissant, adding a touch of authenticity. Below showcases the geometry nodes of my croissant.

⟡ Additionally, I made some minor adjustments to the placement of objects. A perfectly organized Monopoly board might look great in a staged photo, but in reality, a game gets a bit chaotic as people move pieces and handle money. By subtly shifting the positions and increasing some numbers of the houses, hotels, and bills, I aimed to capture that lively, mid-game feel.

Other Close-Up Shots of the Scene:

Scene 03:

⟡ The dice proved a bit tricky for this scene! While getting their materials just right took some time, I'm thrilled with the final result. Speaking of design, I also created the cereal box graphics myself in Illustrator. Finally, I wasn't satisfied with the initial pan – it looked too much like a non-stick pan! So, I went back and remodeled it to capture that classic rusty cast iron feel.

⟡ Other objects were not as hard to model, but time-consuming nonetheless and with the help of various YouTube tutorials.

Progress Overview: Wireframe to Rendered.

Style-Frame Refinement:

Initial (Left) vs Refined (Right)

⟡ The bacon got a delicious upgrade! Initially, I had strips of bacon, but I felt the scene could benefit from a little more visual interest and textural variety. So, I switched things up and went with breakfast sandwiches instead. This not only added more elements to fill the plate space but also created a more visually appealing composition. This offers a nice contrast to the smooth textures of the other breakfast items, adding a touch of visual intrigue.

Other Close-Up Shots of the Scene:

Part IV: Adding Motion

My Motion Design Process Explained.

⟡ The animation process itself felt familiar, thanks to my experience with After Effects! However, the real challenge lay in crafting the perfect timing and flow. It wasn't just about making the objects move – it was about imbuing them with personality. Every subtle shake, tilt, and spin needed to contribute to the overall character of the scene.

⟡ Another hurdle came in planning the sequence of motions. I wanted to strike a balance between having enough activity to keep viewers engaged and avoiding overwhelm. Too much movement can be visually confusing, so I carefully considered the pacing and emphasis of each element.

⟡ Here's what I did to overcome these challenges:

1. Studied real-life references: 

Observing how objects interact naturally helped me create realistic and believable movements.

2. Storyboarded different scenarios: 

Sketching out potential motion paths allowed me to experiment and refine the timing before diving into animation.

3. Iterated and tested: 

I didn't settle for the first draft! Constant adjustments and tweaks ensured the final animation achieved the desired level of personality and clarity.

⟡ Another discovery I've made in the midst of this project was that it's all about the details! Therefore, during my refining stage for the motion, I didn't just animate objects in isolation; I also tried to focused on creating a sense of interaction between them. 

⟡ Take a look at the cards and the toaster, for example. Notice how the toaster actually puffs up slightly when the cards pop in? When they eject, the toaster returns to its normal size. I feel that this subtle detail adds a touch of playfulness and reinforces the connection between the objects.

Part V: SFX

⟡ Sound design proved to be a time-consuming adventure! Sourcing the perfect sound effects, especially for the first scene, became a bit of a quest. Unable to find exactly what I envisioned, I actually embraced a DIY approach and used the poker chips I had at home to create the sounds of the fork tapping and the chips landing on the plate. This resourceful solution added a touch of authenticity to the scene.

⟡ Beyond recording my own sounds, I also discovered the power of layering audio. The available sound libraries sometimes lacked the specific nuances I was looking for. However, by cleverly combining two different audio clips, I was able to achieve the desired effect. For instance, layering a subtle "clinking" sound with a deeper "thud" could create a more satisfying sound for the chips hitting the plate.

⟡ The final challenge involved synchronization. To create a truly convincing scene, I realized that the audio needed to be perfectly in sync with the animation. This meant meticulously adjusting the timing of every sound effect to match the on-screen movement of the objects.

Final Outcome!

⟡ Did you know?

This animation is crafted like a delicious breakfast – you can have it again and again! For an immersive experience, right-click and activate loop mode on Youtube!

And that's a wrap on this breakfasty animation adventure!

Thank you for following along :)