About Project
It was an absolute delight when we recently had the opportunity to work with Litco Law, an Alberta-based firm with expertise in Personal Injury, Wills & Estates, Real Estate, and Employment law.
What sets Litco Law apart is their unique approach, a refreshing detour from the beaten track of their competitors. They wanted to accentuate this unique selling point through their advertisements, and that's where we came into play.
The Beginning
Imagine the stereotypical quintessential legal company advertisement. What comes to your mind? Correct - a typical person in a suit with arms crossed. However, Litco wished to sidestep this cliché, which led them to our creative doorstep in search of a mascot.
Being a firm determined to stand out from the crowd, Litco decided their mascot wouldn't be just any animal, but a unicorn 🦄 - a symbol of uniqueness and magic. And with that, we dive headfirst into the enchanting tale of Larry Lawsome, the unicorn that came to represent the spirit of Litco Law.
Moodboard
The mood board stage is a key step in the 3D modeling process. We always think of it as our guiding star, helping us navigate through the vast universe of creativity. For Litco project we outlined our processes and added references to the key features of the future character.
In collaboration with the Litco team, we identified that the core character inspirations for Larry would be Maximus from 'Tangled' and Sven from 'Frozen'. Maximus captivated us with his bold demeanor and remarkably expressive eyebrows. Sven, on the other hand, charmed us with his inviting countenance, gentle smiles, and warm, friendly eyes.
As for Larry's physique, we concurred on a subtle triangle body shape to accentuate his heroic traits. Additionally, it was decided that the character would wear a sleek, tailored business suit, adding a professional touch to his unique personality.
Sketch
The sketching phase in 3D modeling is like a potter shaping clay, where raw ideas begin to take form.
With Larry's creation, we first drew several head and body versions, offering a visual buffet for the Litco team. Their feedback was invaluable, guiding our pencil strokes as we fine-tuned the sketches.
Ultimately, we crafted a collection of sketches showcasing Larry's head, capturing its unique shape and features. We also sketched the front, back, and side profiles of Larry in a neutral "A" pose, laying the groundwork for the actual modeling. Lastly, a full-color posed sketch was made, offering a sneak peek of Larry's final look once actualized through 3D modeling.
Modeling
The modeling stage is where our 3D character truly begins to emerge. With the approved sketches as our roadmap, we embarked on a digital sculpting adventure using Maya. We started with a basic form, like a virtual lump of clay, and began crafting it into Larry's distinctive shape.
During this phase, we diligently assembled Larry's body, accentuating his features and adjusting his proportions. No detail was too small - from the distinctive lines of his face to the precise shape of his toes. Our meticulous focus ensured Larry's unique qualities were faithfully translated into the 3D world.
Rigging
Once modeling wrapped up, we set our sights on rigging Larry. Given the Litco team's vision of Larry as a long-term mascot, we recommended rigging over a static, single-pose sculpture. This approach promises flexibility for Larry's future adventures.
During the rigging stage, we integrated a network of digital bones, or 'rigs', into the 3D model. These rigs serve as joints, facilitating fluid, natural movement for our charismatic unicorn.
Once Larry was fully rigged, we flexed his newly articulated joints, striking him into his final, majestic pose. The rigging stage, thus, transformed our static model into a dynamic character brimming with potential.
Making Larry Alive
Texturing
As the clock ticked closer to the deadline, we made a strategic move to multitask, diving into the texturing process while also rigging Larry. Our mission: to infuse colors and intricate surface details into Larry's form, transforming him from a simple monochrome model into a vibrant, realistic figure. By juggling rigging and texturing simultaneously, we maximized efficiency, edging closer to our delivery date with a more complete character in tow.
Grooming & Lighting
As we approached the project's final stretch, we faced two critical tasks: grooming Larry and illuminating the scene. From the very start, the Litco team envisioned Larry sporting a majestic, long, wavy mane. We crafted an initial draft of the mane, and, well, let's just say it was a starting point...but we weren't deterred!
We share this experience as a testament to the creative process. It's perfectly okay when the first attempt doesn't quite align with expectations. The key is not to retreat at the sight of a less-than-perfect result, but to persistently refine the project until it gleams with pixel-perfect perfection. Every step, even the missteps, edge us closer to the ultimate vision, and in Larry's case, a mane that truly crowns his majesty. So we rolled up our sleeves.
With the mane finely groomed and the fur perfectly placed, Larry was shaping up nicely, but we felt there was still room for improvement. A minor tweak was needed - a subtle change to the hue of Larry's nose to bring out his character, just a touch more expression in his brows for that extra spark, and a slight increase in lighting to enhance his overall vibrance. The pursuit of perfection is in the details, and we were determined to get Larry just right, one pixel at a time.
Finish
Render
And with that, Larry Lawsome was primed for his advertising debut! We rendered this magnificent unicorn in two suit colors, providing a full body view along with two striking headshots. Larry, once a figment of our imagination, was now ready to charm audiences in all his detailed, textured, and color-rich glory.
P.S. Stampede festivities were just around the corner, so we also did one extra render with a classy cowboy hat for the “Yee-Haw” vibe.
A Part of The Team
Larry Lawsome was met with open arms by the Litco team! They were kind enough to share a few snapshots of Larry settling into his new role. Enjoy this sneak peek of Larry's exciting journey with the Litco family.
