2D character animation: veikkaus herkuzoot

Get ready for some 2D character animation magic with a chance of cuteness overload!

A title card image from Veikkaus Herkkuzoot - a 2D character animation production that is all about cute animals!

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Herkkuzoot (Delicazoo) is an online lottery game we produced for Veikkaus in cooperation with Nasta Design and Moido Games. Valpuri, Herbert, Kiki and Lymy are the furry inhabitants of the zoo. Come nightfall, the not so furry species leave the premises and the furry ones are able to leave the safety of their enclosures in search for their friends and favourite foods.

Client

Veikkaus

IN COLLABORATION WITH

Moido Games, Nasta Design

WHAT WE DID

Illustration, Animation, Concept Development

CHARACTER DESIGN

In a 2D character animation production, once we establish the idea and concept for the game, it is time for us to start the character design process. This is the stage where we create the game’s characters. Not just visually, but each character also has a unique personality and background that influences their behavior.

Initially, we write short biographies for each character. Then, our character designer creates dozens of sketches featuring different animals and expressions, which we iterate with the client. After we get approval for the initial designs, we refine them until the final character design is complete. Although not all ideas make it to the final product, this stage of a 2D character animation production is undoubtedly a fun and creative process filled with great personalities!

A character design sheet from Herkkuzoot animation production for Veikkaus, showing sketches and colored images of all the different designs for the animals of Herkkuzoot.
A character design sketch sheet with line art versions of various characters for Veikkaus Herkkuzoot.
A character design sketch sheet with line art versions of various characters for the Veikkaus Herkkuzoot 2D character animation production.
A character design sketch sheet with color sketch versions of various characters for the Veikkaus Herkkuzoot 2D character animation production.
A character expression sheet of the panda character made for Veikkaus Herkkuzoot 2D animation production.
A character sheet of final character designs and expressions for Veikkaus Herkkuzoot.
Four characters from the 2D animation production Herkkuzoot made for Veikkaus.
Image of a technical guide showing how a separate lighting layer can be used on a character to create interactive lighting.

We demonstrate a technical 2D character animation lighting element that creates interactive lighting for the character on the game’s opening screen, with a sign that illuminates the panda character. Additionally, we animate many of the elements separately in the game engine.

Character expressions from a crocodile character featuring in the Veikkaus Herkkuzoot animation production.

If you are interested in character design in high-end animation productions, make sure to check our blog for more in depth knowledge about the subject!

2D CHARACTER ANIMATION - FRAME-BY-FRAME ANIMATION

We chose frame-by-frame animation as the technique for this production. In this method, we draw each consecutive frame or image individually to achieve a sense of fluid motion. This technique has a century-old history and tradition and is considered the holy grail of 2D animation. Moreover, it gives 2D character animation the greatest amount of creative freedom in terms of expression and movement.

An image with three different still images from the skunk animation made for Veikkaus Herkkuzoot.

ROUGH ANIMATION

The frame-by-frame 2D character animation process involves several steps. After we complete the character design, we plan the necessary animations. Consequently, we create key poses and key frames for the animations. Following this, we make the in-betweens to connect the key poses. This stage, known as the rough animation stage, involves roughly outlining the animation, but not yet finalizing it. Once we get approval for the rough animations, we proceed to the cleanup animation stage, producing final, colored, crisp frames for the animations.

A still frame from the rough animation stage of the Herkkuzoot production.
A visual plan of how all the different expression and pose stages work in the animation.

We created a visual presentation to show how the different expression and pose stages work in the animation workflow. For technical reasons, we found it mandatory for the animations to have specific poses between different expressions to ensure the animations in the game made sense. Additionally, this is a logistical and optimization detail in 2D character animation production. Creating too many different poses could easily increase the number of animation assets to an unmanageable level. Therefore, reusability is key!

A digital background illustration for Veikkaus Herkkuzoot, showing the main sign of the zoo.

BACKGROUND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR 2D ANIMATION PRODUCTION

Backgrounds are typically a big part of a 2D animation production. We used digital illustration techniques to create the fantastic and moody environments for our adventurous zoo friends. These backgrounds served as the backdrops for the different gameplay environments.

A digital background illustration for Veikkaus Herkkuzoot, showing a jungle with lush tall trees and a clear center opening in the middle.
A digital background illustration for Veikkaus Herkkuzoot. showing a rocky pond with trees and water plants.
Background illustration of an info board of a zoo. Made for the 2D animation production Veikkaus Herkkuzoot.
Background illustration of an info board of a zoo. Made for the 2D animation production Veikkaus Herkkuzoot.
Background illustration of a treetop. Made for the 2D animation production Veikkaus Herkkuzoot.

PROP DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR 2D ANIMATION PRODUCTION

Props are another essential part of a 2D animation production. Simply put, props include everything except backgrounds, characters, and effects. In this case, and in many others, we consider props as various small objects that play an important role in the story or character development. For Herkkuzoot, these small objects are essentially food items.

A set of images showing the opening stages of a surprise leaf sack, containing a delicious food item.
Collection of food props designed for Veikkaus Herkkuzoot 2D animation production.

We hope you enjoyed the case as much as we enjoyed creating it! If you’re interested in frame-by-frame animation and various animals and characters (such as bags), feel free to explore our other 2D character animation projects for Veikkaus, like Cranky Bags!

Do you need 2D animated characters for your production?
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch:

Ilari Koskinen, Executive Producer, Brink Helsinki Oy

Ilari Koskinen
Executive Producer
+358 40 773 7312
ilari@brinkhelsinki.com

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