3D Animation Company in Singapore

3D animation or CGI is widely used in high-end brand commercials as it allows flexibility for showcasing a brand or product in a certain way.

If you are a brand marketer looking for ways to stand out, we will co-create with you to craft a bespoke visual narrative to connect with your audience.

Headquartered in Singapore, we had a humble beginning to start as a 3D animation company working with some global brands that are establishing their presence in the Asia Pacific region.

From creating brand mascot, expressive texts, 3D motion design and CGI animation encapsulate the entire design discipline.

We work with experienced, 3D designers and animators in each of the discipline to expand our creative services to supplement on larger-scale projects.

3D Character Modeling and Animation for brands. Designed to create client's unique chatbot to stand out from the competitors

Table of Content

    • Why 3D Animations

    •  When should you use 3D animation instead of other tools?

    • Preparing for Your 3D Animation Project

    • Character Animation

    •  Product Visualization

    • Visual Effects and Motion Graphics

    • Setting Clear Goals and Expectations

    • Developing the Creative Brief

    • Creating References and Moodboards

    • Approving The Concept and Storyboard

    • Review and Feedback Cycles

    • Integrating the Animation Into Your Marketing Strategy

    • Social Media Content

    • Television and Online Advertisements

    •  Website and App Integration

    •  Virtual and augmented reality experiences

    • Trade show and event displays

    • Maintaining Brand Consistency in 3D

    •  Optimizing Animations for Different Platforms

    • Keeping Up with Trends and Innovations

    • Legal Considerations (copyright, licensing)

    • Featured Works

1. Introduction to 3D Animation for Brand Marketing

A 3D Brand Animation for luxury mattress launch highlighting its key features

3D animation is a powerful tool for telling your brand's story. It creates moving images that look like they have depth, replicating real life or even creating a surreal scene to draw attention. 3D animation offers a lot of flexibility and gives you space to explore different ways in telling your brand’s stories.

Why should you care about 3D animation for your brand? Here are some good reasons:

  • It grabs attention: 3D animations look cool and different. They make people stop and look.

  • It helps you stand out: When everyone else is using normal videos or pictures, 3D animation makes your brand look special.

  • It commands a premium for your brand: Good 3D animation takes rigorous planning and preparation at the beginning to ensure everything is on-brand for your campaign. Using it right will set your brand apart from the competition.

  • It's much easier, more cost effective than live-action shoots: With 3D animation, you don't need to worry about finding the perfect location, hiring actors, or dealing with bad weather. You can create any scene you imagine, right on a computer.

Big brands like Apple, Nike, and Coca-Cola often use 3D animation in their ads. For example, Coca-Cola's polar bears are 3D animations that people love and remember.

When should you use 3D animation instead of other tools?

It's great when:

  • You want to show how a product works in detail

  • You need to make something that doesn't exist in real life

  • You want to create a mascot or character for your brand

  • You're selling something expensive or high-tech

  • Your idea would be too expensive or impossible to film in real life

3D animation can save you money and time compared to complex live-action shoots. Imagine wanting to show your product in space, underwater, or inside the human body. With 3D animation, you can do all that without leaving the office.

While 3D animation can sometimes cost more upfront than simple video shoots, it offers more control and flexibility. You can easily make changes, show impossible views, and reuse your 3D assets in future projects. For many brands, these benefits make 3D animation a smart choice.

3D animation can help tell your story in a way that sticks in people's minds, often more easily and effectively than traditional filming methods.

Preparing for Your 3D Animation Project

Things to consider prior to planning 3D animation for your marketing campaign:

Set your goals: What do you want the animation to do? Maybe you want to explain a product, make people excited about your brand, or show off how something works. Write down your main goal.

Know your audience: Who will watch your animation? Think about their age, what they like, and what they care about. This helps you make an animation they'll enjoy.

Figure out your budget: 3D animation can cost different amounts. Think about how much you can spend. Remember, very cheap 3D animation might not look good, but you don't always need the most expensive option either.

Find examples you like: Look for other 3D animations that you think are good. They could be ads, movies, or even video games. Save links or screenshots to show your animation team later.

Manage your stakeholders: 3D animation projects often involve many people in your company. Talk to them early about the project. This includes:

  • Getting approval from higher-ups on the concept and budget. Communicating budget much earlier on with your animation partner would give you a headstart in setting the expectations across the board. 

  • Talking to your legal team about any rules you need to follow. Make sure you communicate this early on with your animation vendor, such as the allowed publication, white labelling, crediting certain brands or people and some other restrictions that they might overlook. Sending an NDA early on before you brief them is always a great idea! 

  • Checking with your brand team to make sure the animation fits your brand style. Make sure you collate any brand guidelines, assets and any communication materials that could be useful prior to getting in touch with an animation company. 

Work closely with your animation partner: Choose your animation studio carefully and start working with them early. This helps in many ways:

  • They can give you ideas and advice before you finalize your plan

  • You can discuss what's possible within your budget and timeline

  • They can help you avoid common mistakes that might slow things down later

  • You can build a good working relationship, which makes the whole process smoother

Good communication from the beginning is always key to a smooth process. Set up regular check-ins with your animation partner and your internal team. This keeps everyone on the same page and helps catch any issues early. Make sure your animation studio has a system or a live document to show their progress regularly. 

By thinking about these things first, you'll be ready to start your 3D animation project on the right foot. It helps the animation team understand what you want, keeps your stakeholders happy, and makes the whole process smoother. Good preparation can save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

2. 3D Animation Techniques for Brand Marketing

A. Character animation

  1. Creating brand mascots and spokes characters

    • Developing unique, memorable characters that embody brand values

    • Rigging techniques for smooth, believable movement

  2. Emotional connection through expressive animation

    • Facial animation to convey emotions and personality

    • Body language and gestures to enhance communication

  3. Integration with live-action footage

    • Compositing 3D characters into real-world environments

    • Matching lighting and camera movements for seamless integration

  4. Use in storytelling and narrative-driven campaigns

    • Character-led brand stories and advertisements

    • Interactive character experiences for customer engagement

B. Product visualisation

  1. Photorealistic 3D product rendering

    • Creating high-fidelity digital replicas of physical products

    • Texture and material simulation for accurate representation

  2. Exploded view and cross-section animations

    • Showcasing internal components and mechanisms

    • Demonstrating assembly and disassembly processes

  3. Customization and configuration visualization

    • Interactive 3D product customizers for e-commerce

    • Demonstrating product variations and options

  4. Product placement in virtual environments

    • Contextualising products in realistic or stylized settings

    • Creating aspirational scenarios for product use

C. Visual Effect and Motion Graphics

  1. Particle systems and simulations

    • Creating dynamic effects like smoke, fire, and water

    • Simulating crowd movements and complex physics

  2. 3D typography and kinetic text

    • Animating text elements in 3D space

    • Creating engaging title sequences and text-based animations

  3. Abstract 3D elements and backgrounds

    • Developing unique visual styles for brand campaigns

    • Creating eye-catching 3D backdrops for presentations

  4.  Data visualization and infographics

    • Transforming complex data into engaging 3D visualizations

    • Creating animated charts and graphs for clearer communication

  5.  Compositing 3D elements with live-action footage

    • Integrating 3D visual effects into real-world scenes

    • Enhancing live-action content with 3D elements

3. The 3D Animation Process: What You Need to Know

Creating a 3D animation isn't magic, but it does take several steps. Here's what you can expect:

Setting clear goals and expectations: First, you'll sit down with your animation team to talk about what you want. Be clear about your goals. Tell them about your brand, your message, and who will watch the animation. This helps everyone start on the same page.

Developing the creative brief: Your animation team will create a document that outlines everything about the project. This includes the story, style, characters, and timeline. You'll review this and make sure it matches what you want.

Creating references and moodboards: This is a crucial step to make sure everyone's on the same page visually. Here's what happens:

  • Your animation partner will ask you for examples of styles you like. These could be other animations, ads, or even paintings or photos.

  • They'll put together a "moodboard" - a collection of images that show the look and feel you're going for. This might include color schemes, lighting styles, and texture examples.

  • You'll also discuss specific references for characters, environments, or objects that will be in your animation.

  • This step helps manage everyone's expectations. It makes sure that when you say "modern" or "friendly," the animation team understands exactly what you mean.

  • You'll review and approve these visual references before any animation work starts. This saves time and prevents misunderstandings later.

Approving the concept and storyboard: The team will draw out the main scenes of your animation. This is called a storyboard. It's like a comic strip version of your animation. You'll look at this and suggest any changes before the real work begins.

Review and feedback cycles: You'll get to see the work at different stages. The team will ask for your feedback. Be honest but clear about what you like or want to change. Remember, big changes late in the process can be costly and time-consuming.

Integrating the animation into your marketing strategy: Once the animation is done, think about how you'll use it. Will it go on the website? Social media? The animation team can help make versions that work best for each place you want to use it. Consider making your investment worthwhile and make sure to ask if it’s possible to create future adaptations for your special events, festive seasons and such. 

Making a 3D animation takes time to plan ahead and produce. A short animation might take a few weeks, while a longer or more complex one could take months. Be patient and stay involved throughout the process. Good communication with your animation partner is key to getting the best results.

4. Applications of 3D Animation in Marketing

Marketers can create more impactful, memorable, and effective campaigns that resonate with modern consumers and set their brands apart in an increasingly competitive digital landscape

A. Social media content

  1. Platform-specific considerations (e.g., Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn)

  2. Creating eye-catching 3D animated posts and stories

  3. 3D animated GIFs and short-form video content

  4. Interactive 3D elements for social media engagement

  5. Leveraging 3D filters and effects for user-generated content

B. Television and online advertisements

  1. 3D product showcases in commercials

  2. Animated brand mascots and characters in ads

  3. 3D environments and scenes to enhance storytelling

  4. Integrating 3D elements with live-action footage

  5. Creating memorable visual effects for brand recall

  6. Adapting 3D animations for different ad formats (e.g., pre-roll, mid-roll, banners)

C. Website and app integration

  1. 3D animated landing pages and hero sections

  2. Interactive 3D product viewers and configurators

  3. Animated infographics and data visualisations

  4. 3D animated backgrounds and UI elements

  5. Loading animations and transitions using 3D elements

  6. Performance optimization for web-based 3D content

D. Virtual and augmented reality experiences

  1. Creating immersive 3D brand environments in VR

  2. Developing AR product visualisation apps

  3. Virtual showrooms and product demonstrations

  4. AR filters and effects for social media marketing

  5. 3D avatars and digital brand representatives in virtual spaces

  6. Integrating 3D animations into mixed reality experiences

E. Trade show and event displays

  1. Large-scale 3D animated backdrops and video walls

  2. Interactive 3D booth elements and kiosks

  3. Holographic displays featuring 3D animations

  4. 3D mapping projections for product launches

  5. Virtual event spaces with 3D animated elements

  6. Gamification using 3D animations for attendee engagement

For each of these subsections, marketers should consider:

  1. Tailoring 3D animations to the specific platform or medium

  2. Ensuring brand consistency across different applications

  3. Balancing visual impact with loading times and performance

  4. Creating cohesive campaigns that integrate 3D elements across multiple touchpoints

  5. Measuring engagement and effectiveness of 3D animated content

  6. Collaborating with 3D artists and technical teams for optimal results

5. Best Practices and Tips

A. Maintaining brand consistency in 3D

  1. Developing a 3D brand style guide

    • Define 3D representations of brand colors, textures, and materials

    • Establish guidelines for 3D logo usage and placement

    • Create character design standards for brand mascots or representatives

  2. Consistent use of brand elements

    • Maintain consistent lighting styles that reflect brand mood

    • Use brand-specific camera angles and movements

    • Implement brand-appropriate animation timing and pacing

  3. Regular brand audits

    • Conduct periodic reviews of all 3D assets for brand alignment

    • Use checklists to ensure brand consistency across projects

    • Implement a formal approval process for new 3D brand elements

  4. Training and education

    • Provide brand guidelines training for 3D artists and animators

    • Create resources and templates to facilitate brand-consistent work

  5. Adaptation for different markets

    • Develop guidelines for localizing 3D content while maintaining brand identity

    • Consider cultural sensitivities in 3D representations

B. Optimising animations for different platforms

  1. Performance optimization

    • Use level of detail (LOD) techniques for complex 3D models

    • Implement efficient texture compression methods

    • Optimize polygon counts for real-time rendering platforms

  2. Format-specific considerations

    • Adapt animations for vertical video formats (e.g., Instagram Stories, TikTok)

    • Create scalable assets for responsive web design

    • Develop lower-poly versions for mobile devices and weaker hardware

  3. Platform-specific features

    • Utilize AR capabilities on supported mobile platforms

    • Implement interactive elements for web-based 3D content

    • Optimize for VR platforms with considerations for user comfort

4. Loading and streaming optimization

  • Implement progressive loading techniques for web-based 3D content

  • Use efficient file formats and compression for faster loading times

  • Consider streaming solutions for large-scale 3D environments

5.Cross-platform testing

  • Establish a robust testing protocol across various devices and platforms

  • Use analytics to monitor performance and user engagement across platforms

C. Keeping up with trends and innovations

  1. Continuous learning and skill development

    • Encourage team members to attend 3D animation conferences and workshops

    • Provide access to online learning platforms for ongoing education

    • Foster a culture of experimentation with new techniques and tools

2. Industry monitoring

  • Subscribe to industry publications and newsletters

  • Follow thought leaders and influencers in 3D animation and marketing

  • Analyze competitors' use of 3D animation in their marketing efforts

3. Embracing new technologies

  • Explore real-time rendering engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) for marketing applications

  • Investigate AI and machine learning tools for streamlining 3D workflows

  • Consider adopting virtual production techniques for hybrid live-action/3D content

4. Trend adaptation

  • Develop processes for quickly prototyping trendy 3D styles or techniques

  • Create a trend evaluation framework to assess relevance to brand and audience

  • Balance trend adoption with maintaining brand identity and long-term strategy

5. Collaboration with innovative partners

  • Foster relationships with tech startups and innovative 3D studios

  • Participate in beta testing programs for new 3D software and tools

D. Legal considerations (copyright, licensing)

  1. Asset ownership and rights management

    • Clearly define ownership of 3D assets in contracts with artists and studios

    • Implement a system for tracking usage rights of all 3D elements

    • Establish guidelines for the reuse and repurposing of 3D assets

  2. Copyright protection

    • Register copyrights for original 3D characters and designs

    • Implement digital watermarking or steganography in 3D assets when appropriate

    • Develop protocols for responding to copyright infringement

3. Licensing considerations

  • Thoroughly review licensing terms for 3D software and plugins

  • Ensure proper licensing for any third-party assets used in projects

  • Consider offering licensing options for successful 3D brand assets

4. Compliance with platform-specific rules

  • Stay informed about content policies on various social media and advertising platforms

  • Ensure 3D animations comply with platform-specific guidelines and restrictions

5. International legal considerations

  • Be aware of varying copyright and intellectual property laws in different countries

  • Consider cultural and legal sensitivities when creating 3D content for global markets

6. Privacy and data protection

  • Ensure compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) when collecting user data through interactive 3D experiences

  • Implement privacy-by-design principles in AR and VR applications

6. Case Studies

Some of our recent 3D animation work. Be it character animation or a narrative for your high-end product, 3D animation will be a good medium to increase your brand equity, driving more awareness and to stand out from the noise.

Fun facts on 3D Character animation for brands

Using 3D character animation can give your brand or product a unique personality.

  1. Creates memorable mascots: 3D characters can become the face of your brand, like how MagiClean uses character to drive their products awareness and superiority.

  2. Tells stories effectively: Characters can act out scenarios, making complex ideas simple and fun to watch.

  3. Builds emotional connections: Well-designed characters can make people feel attached to your brand.

  4. Versatile across media: Use your character in ads, social media, apps, and more – they're adaptable to any platform.

  5. Stands out from competitors: To stand out from the noise, animated characters catch the eye.

  6. Simplifies difficult concepts: Characters can explain tricky products or services in an engaging way.

  7. Appeals to all ages: Good character design can attract both kids and adults, broadening your audience.

  8. Easy to update: Unlike live actors, 3D characters can be easily changed or updated to keep your brand fresh.

  9. Consistent brand image: Your character always looks the same, helping maintain a consistent brand across all marketing.

  10. Cost-effective in the long run: Once created, you can use and reuse your character without additional casting or filming costs.

3D character animation breathes life into your marketing, making your brand more relatable, memorable, and fun.

Our Creative Process in 3D Animation

We start with a deep dive into your business objectives, challenges, and goals, brainstorming ideas that resonate with your audience and align with your goals.

Script and Planning

Design

Our design phase is where creativity comes to the fore, with mood boards for art direction, storyboards for animation development, character designs, and meticulous planning of every 3D element.

In this crucial phase, we bring your animated story to life, ensuring every movement and detail is rendered with the utmost precision and realism.

Animation

  • Art Director

    Jerly is a highly skilled Lighting Technical Director with over 13 years of experience in Visual Effects. His career has flourished in esteemed studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (Lucasfilm), DNEG, and MPC, including a significant two-year tenure in the UK. Jerly has played a pivotal role in creating stunning visuals for Hollywood hits like Jurassic World, Transformers, and Mission Impossible. Known for his expertise in 3D lighting and narrative enhancement, he is dedicated to pushing the limits of creativity and technical excellence in Visual Effects.

Meet The Core Team

We are all creatives in our own field and expertise to help produce your brand’s story in the most authentic way.

  • Managing Director / Founder

    I’m a creative professional that specializes in digital 2d, 3d animation and motion graphics. We haven’t met yet, but let's connect if you are:

    - A marketer, brand manager who is looking to hire a creative angle for storytelling, animation, motion graphics, I work with many people like you.

    - A marketer, brand manager who is looking to bridge communication gaps when entering a new market in the region, specifically in the Asia Pacific market in the form of brand playbook, sales kit and brand videos.

    - An executive producer or creative director of an agency who is looking for a content production partner or cross-expertise.

    If any of the above sounds like you, I work a lot with people like you.

    I’ve spent most of my entire career in the space of animation, motion design and interactive content.

    Click here to view my career highlights on LinkedIn. Let’s connect!

Ruyi Gan - Creative Producer in animation, motion design and video production

  • Creative Producer

    For the past 12 years in digital animation and production, I love to be working alongside clients in meeting their key metrics creatively, ensuring we have the specialised talents to work on each specific project. I believe that creativity and effective project management go hand in hand in order to achieve the results that are on-brand and high quality.

    I have enjoyed working on various diverse creative animated projects for clients like Mandai Wildlife Reserve, NHG, SGX, Simmons and Lazada.

Who we work with

We work with forward-thinking brands to connect with you and shape the world around us.

What They Are Saying

“Thank you for putting us in the right direction from the start of planning to the execution of the project..”

“Great work within many constraints within the project. The team puts in a lot of thoughts in the discovery phase, taking the initiatives to tell us what would and wouldn’t work for our campaign.”

“Quality work and going the extra mile to understand what we are looking for despite the tight deadlines; it saved us a lot of time during the creative process.”

Some call us Video Production
or Animation Company

But at the heart of it, we are visual storytellers who work closely with people
and brands we believe in.

Be it 3D animation or other video production methods, what keeps us going is to create content that not only looks great, but also to co-create with you in order to deliver meaningful results for your investment.

HSBC Global Private Banking Immersive Dinner

National University of Singapore Brand Video

  • From creating brand mascot, expressive texts, motion design and animation encapsulate the entire motion graphics discipline. We work with experienced, senior designers in each of the discipline to expand our creative services to supplement the team on larger-scale projects.

    As such, we are able to offer clients our full range of design-driven solutions from small to larger scale projects. This too allows us to pivot easily if the needs change, which is critical in today's marketing strategies.

  • Your brand awareness starts with how you position your brand and marketing campaign identity. More than just animated content and key visual for your social media, it deserves an identity that sets you apart from the competition.

    If you are managing your marketing and brand's presence specifically in Asia Pacific region, we will be your creative partner ensuring story and visuals that will connect and relate with your target market.

  • When it comes to your your business, audience, industry and brand, you know them the most.

    We will be your partner in translating your words and vision into visual narrative that connects and creates an impression with your target audience.

    You will be working closely with our creative director and account manager at every stage to ensure we deliver a brand video that everyone will be proud of.

  • You are looking for a greater online presence to drive interaction and enhance your brand's visibility. Connect with your audience to inspire action and let us work closely with you to create content that not only stands out in the feed, but also creates a lasting impression for your brand.

    A bespoke content in animation or illustrations could be a powerful and versatile tool for your engagement and growth.

  • 2D Animation will bring a different flair to brands that are looking to communicate in a certain way. This could include characters, texts, creatures and background that are moving in a two dimensional space.

    Very much so like 3D, it has a different appeal to audience when it's done right.

Frequently Asked Questions About 3D Animation Companies in Singapore

  • 3D animation can enhance your brand storytelling through visually compelling content that stands out. 3D animations can bring complex concepts and products to life and create memorable customer experiences. They are highly engaging, helping to capture and retain audience attention, and can effectively convey complex information in a visually appealing manner, thereby giving your business a competitive edge in today’s visually-driven market. View our past work to see how 3D animation has helped our clients achieve their business goals.

  • Yes, Elevate can create 3D animations for VR and AR applications. Our expertise in various mediums, including big screens, small screens, and virtual environments, extends to crafting immersive video and animations, as well as 3D products for both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) platforms. This capability allows us to produce engaging and interactive 3D animations tailored for a wide range of applications.

  • At Elevate, we employ cutting-edge technology in our 3D animation processes, including advanced software like Autodesk Maya and Blender for detailed modelling and animation of characters and products. We also utilise motion capture technology for realistic character movements and incorporate VR and AR tools for immersive content creation. Rendering engines like Unreal Engine and Unity enhance the visual quality of our animations, and AI elements streamline various animation aspects for efficiency and precision.

  • The duration of a typical 3D animation project varies based on complexity, taking factors like project requirements and production workflow into consideration. Small-scale projects usually take about 4-8 weeks, while average-scale projects might span 2-3 months. For larger, more complex animations, the timeline can extend to 3-6 months or more. To get an estimate for a project you have in mind, enquire with us at hello@elevatefuture.com.

  • Clients who come to our studio are encouraged to be deeply involved in the 3D animation process. We maintain a collaborative approach, conducting in-depth research into your business and objectives. This ensures that clients can provide input and feedback at every stage of creation, from the initial concept to the final product, ensuring the final product aligns closely with their vision and goals.

  • Yes, Elevate offers revisions and edits on 3D animation projects. We aim to ensure that each video aligns with your project's key objectives and message. To this end, we provide 2-3 rounds of revisions, allowing for adjustments and refinements based on your feedback. This approach ensures the final product effectively meets your marketing and communication goals.

  • The pricing for our 3D animation services depends on the complexity of the project. Basic 3D animations can start from as low as $2,000, catering to simpler requirements. For more detailed and lengthier projects, the cost can exceed $50,000. Each project is assessed individually to provide an accurate quote based on your specific needs and the intricacies involved in bringing your vision to life.