While working on the "Off to Uni" campaign at Robert Dyas, we decided to take a bold step by creating a CGI video for our social media channels. Despite having no prior experience with Blender or CGI video production, I embraced the challenge, confident that my background in 3D modeling would help me quickly adapt to the new software. With just one month to learn Blender and integrate 3D elements into live-action footage, I knew I had to move fast.

We aimed to feature three key products from the campaign in iconic London locations. To achieve this, we filmed at Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and Piccadilly Circus, and I modeled three campaign products in Blender. After adding motion to the models, I overlaid them onto the footage using motion tracking to ensure the animations aligned seamlessly with the real-world video. Finally, I composited the animations in After Effects for a polished result.

The project was both thrilling and daunting. At times, I doubted whether I could complete it within the tight deadline. However, we successfully delivered three CGI video clips. While the videos came together, there were aspects I’d improve in the future. The weather conditions were far from ideal—rainy and overcast—which affected the overall quality of the footage. Next time, I’ll prioritize shooting in optimal conditions to better enhance the visuals. In terms of Blender, I found shading particularly challenging. Photorealistic textures and advanced shading techniques have great potential, and I look forward to refining these skills in future projects.

In conclusion, this project was one of my biggest challenges this year. I’m proud to have pushed myself to learn new tools and deliver results within a tight timeframe. It was a rewarding experience that highlighted both my adaptability and the continuous learning required in motion graphics.