INSECTION
Insection is a multi-sensorial experience inspired by the metaphorical human evolution through insects and water.
Insection was a collaboration between 11 Mexican studios that consisted of a Quiosk that showcased the work of textile designer Robert Smith. The Quiosk would integrate design elements like Animation, Audio Design, Illustration, and textile design to create a unique and immersive experience.
ROLES
2D Animation
3D Animation
Rigging
Texturing
Compositing
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Photoshop
Cinema 4D
Trapcode Particular
SOFTWARE
DELIVERABLES
15 Second Loop Animation for Video Projection
IDEATION
In this project, I worked under the direction of Franco Barroeta for a studio based in Puebla, Mexico, named TOTEM. The project consisted of a video mapping presented in Mexico City for an Interior Design Expo called Habitat Expo Prisma Awards. We had the task of creating the animations projected in a Quiosk of 2 rooms showcasing a new Interior Design chair made of textile materials. We had to animate and rig the insects in the environment, making it seem as if they were crawling around the room while guiding the viewer's eye to the center of the environment.
DESIGN
We first began by planning our shot for the projection mapping. We had to figure out how far away our projectors would be from the ceiling and walls of the Quiosk. Our video would fit the correct canvas size and avoid it being stretched. Once we figured out our shot and focal length, we began to establish safe zones and guidelines on the canvas so we wouldn't have any clipping during the animation.
ANIMATION
I was later assigned the task of rigging and animating the behaviors of the insects, as well as the Queen Insects animation. I was first provided with the 3D model of the insect and the Queen insect. Once I had the 3D model, I began rigging the insect in Cinema 4D using Cmotion. After I had the rig with the basic walk cycle, I created different iterations of that walk cycle, creating new behaviors. Some of the behaviors were normal, aggressive, shy, and unpredictable. Each of these animations was a 5-second loop that we could endlessly use.
RESULTS
Insection received critical praise and won first place in the Expo Prisma Awards. Over 3,200 people visited it and was later moved to the Complejo Cultural of Puebla, where more people could attend the Quiosk and enjoy the experience.
This is a personal project because it helped me gain confidence as a Designer. I learned so much about video mapping and the different types of projectors you can use, as well as using masks and other projection mapping software like Mad Mapper. I'm so grateful I was able to work with such a great team and be able to collaborate with so many talented people.
CHALLENGES
The most challenging part of this project was creating the rig for the insects. At the time, I had minimal experience with Cinema 4D, so I had to do a lot of research on rigging. After watching hours of tutorials and reading many posts online, I finally learned how to use CMotion for Cinema 4D. Once I had the main rig for the insect, I just did several versions of the animation for different behaviors.
CREDITS
Creative direction: Franco Barroeta
Art Direction:Franco Barroeta
3D Modeling: Sergio Castaneda
Animation: Rodrigo Villegas
Sound Design: Luis Rivera
Special Thanks to Morfos, Cristobal Sarro, Abaka Interiors, Guru, Luis Rivera.