Creating a Photorealistic Animated Squirrel for Metsä Group's Serla

We brought to life the iconic squirrel character for Metsä Group’s Serla brand of kitchen towels and toilet paper. In this case study, we will detail the journey of creating a photorealistic animated squirrel.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Good stuff comes from the forests of Finland! Hasan & Partners approached us with a creative concept for Metsä Group’s Serla brand animations. The iconic brand’s squirrel character has evolved over decades, and this time, we revitalized it with a photorealistic animated squirrel.

This project was a joy to work on! We’re proud to have contributed to the legacy of Serla. Let’s dive into the process!

Client

Metsä Group

Agency

hasan & partners

Production Company

Brink Helsinki

CREATING A PHOTOREALISTIC ANIMATED SQUIRREL: LOOK DEVELOPMENT

We began by focusing on the photorealistic animated squirrel itself, as this was the project’s centerpiece. Using advanced 3D animation techniques and fur simulations, we meticulously developed the squirrel’s final look. Our team worked from specific references and existing character design, ensuring the result was both realistic and true to the brand’s character. After countless adjustments, we finalized the 3D model, creating a rotating turntable version to showcase the squirrel in all its glory.

ENVIRONMENT DESIGN

To complement the photorealistic squirrel, we designed environments with a simple and graphical style. Soft, flowing shapes in the brand’s colors created clean and visually appealing backdrops. These included a Finnish house landscape, a cashier conveyor, and rolling hills with a toilet paper road. The flat, graphic look contrasted beautifully with the detailed photorealistic squirrel, drawing attention to the hero character.

3D ANIMATION

Developing the squirrel’s character animation required precision and creativity. During early stages, we worked with a fur-less previz version of the squirrel to streamline the animation process, as rendering fur can be time-intensive. Simultaneously, we refined the animation using keyframe techniques. This approach allowed us to iterate quickly and achieve the smooth, detailed motion needed for the final animation.

Once the animation’s overall structure was approved, we added in-betweens to create a polished and seamless performance. The result? A lifelike photorealistic animated squirrel that embodies the playful essence of the Serla brand.

CREATING A PHOTOREALISTIC ANIMATED SQUIRREL - FINAL LOOK

Below are frame grabs from the final animations with lighting and compositing. These showcase the squirrel in its fully animated, photorealistic glory, interacting effortlessly with its graphical environment.

FINAL ANIMATION

The completed animations perfectly combined the photorealistic animated squirrel with its simple, vibrant surroundings, creating a delightful and effective representation of the brand. Horizontal, vertical and square versions were also created to suit today’s media requirements.

KEYVISUAL IMAGES

In addition to the animations, we produced high-resolution key visuals for print and other still media. These images captured the squirrel’s personality and ensured consistency across all campaign materials. What you see here are demo layouts for the print images.

WHY CREATE PHOTOREALISTIC ANIMALS USING 3D ANIMATION?

Cute, realistic animals capture attention and effectively communicate a brand’s message. Photorealistic animal animation offers a safe, ethical, and reliable way to bring animal characters to life. By using 3D animation, we achieve precise performances tailored to the brand’s needs. Furthermore, these digital creations ensure consistent character representation across various campaigns, offering flexibility for new content and messaging. It’s an attractive, effective, and fun approach to modern advertising.

CONCLUSION

The creation of Serla’s photorealistic animated squirrel demonstrates how cutting-edge 3D animation can elevate brand storytelling. From meticulous design and animation to vibrant environments and key visuals, every step of this process highlighted the potential of photorealistic animated characters in marketing. Let us help you bring your ideas to life with innovative and memorable 3D animation solutions—get in touch to create something extraordinary today!