3D Ice Cream Character Animation: S-Market Ice Creams

Summer is here! And let’s be honest—what’s beach season without ice cream and great character animation? That’s exactly why we created a joyful ice cream character animation for S-Market’s new summer lineup. Packed with sun, flavor, and personality, this animated campaign brings coolness to every platform.

ICE CREAM CHARACTER ANIMATION: PROJECT OVERVIEW

Töttöröö! Summer just got a whole lot cooler.

We kicked off the S-Market Uutuudet animation series with a sunshine-filled 3D spot starring the season’s most delicious newcomers: ice creams with attitude. The first episode features a lively crew of animated ice cream characters delivering pun-packed lines and maximum summer energy.

Created for TV, radio, social media, and digital platforms, this ice cream character animation was designed to be flexible, fun, and unforgettable. With support from SOK, S-Market, and Make It Simple, the project came together seamlessly.

Client

SOK

Agency

Make It Simple

CHARACTER DESIGN PROCESS: 3D ICE CREAM CHARACTER ANIMATION

Since ice cream character design was the centerpiece of the campaign, we developed a colorful cast inspired by the actual product lineup. Each ice cream had its own distinct silhouette, personality, and backstory—from a slightly grumpy puck to an overly energetic popsicle.

CHARACTER SKETCHES

We began with product references and created quick character sketches to explore visual direction. Collaborating closely with the director and client, we refined the designs until we reached a look that balanced charm, quirk, and brand fit.

EXPRESSION SHEETS

To enhance personality, we produced expression sheets that explored facial gestures, reactions, and emotions. These served as a crucial reference for animation.

CHARACTER TURNAROUNDS

Next, we built multi-angle turnarounds for each character. These blueprints ensured modeling accuracy and maintained visual consistency throughout production.

COLOR SKETCHES

We designed unique color palettes for each character. By combining contrast, personality, and that unmistakable ice creamy quality, we made sure each character stood out while feeling part of the same universe.

ICE CREAM CHARACTER ANIMATION: CONCEPT IMAGE

After finalizing designs and storyboards, we developed a concept illustration. This defined lighting, composition, and overall atmosphere. As a result, the animation team had a clear vision to follow.

ANIMATIC

Because this was a one-shot animation driven by character dialogue and timing, we built a detailed animatic early on. We added demo voice-overs, music, and sound effects. Consequently, the team and client could assess rhythm and flow well in advance.

CHARACTER ANIMATION

We moved into animation once all characters were rigged and approved. We animated every move with attention to comedic timing and performance clarity. Camera motion was carefully choreographed to complement the scene. Below we have a previsualization of the animation.

VOICE OVER & PERFORMANCE

We cast two professional voice actors to bring the characters to life. While the visual design established their look and feel, it was the actors who gave each ice cream its distinct energy and soul. Their delivery—full of rhythm, timing, and subtle nuance—played a key role in shaping the animation. Ultimately, their performances became the emotional engine behind every gesture and punchline.

FINAL ANIMATION

Following animation approval, we moved into rendering, lighting, and compositing. We added texture, shading, and audio to complete the final cut. With dialogue, music, and sound design in place, the campaign came to life with style.

SOCIAL MEDIA ANIMATIONS

To broaden reach, we scripted and animated short social media videos in various aspect ratios. These snackable pieces boosted visibility across platforms and extended campaign impact.

RADIO COMMERCIALS

Alongside the visuals, we produced a suite of radio spots using the same tone and humor. These audio pieces reinforced brand voice while adapting the campaign for radio audiences.

CONCLUSION

Bringing animated characters to life directly from real products is a surefire way to make advertising memorable. This ice cream character animation delivered bold personality, playful storytelling, and broad campaign reach.

Looking for more FMCG storytelling? Explore our Ice Cream Animation for Ingman Cake Ice Creams, the beat-dropping Fish Buddies for K-Citymarket, and Joyful Animals for DNA.

Let’s make your next commercial campaign unforgettable. Reach out and let’s create something delicious together!