DESCRIPTION
The Node Fest opening titles aimed to inspire and resonate with Australia’s motion design community. We crafted a narrative-driven sequence about the chaotic R&D process, following a character whose state of mind is visualised through a “brain cam.” As their experiments spiral into madness, they ultimately find clarity by embracing simplicity over complexity—a reflection of the creative journey.

BRIEF AND SOLUTION
Tasked with showcasing all speaker names and setting the tone for an inspiring day, we created a bold, striking piece dominated by typography, designed to impress on the big screen. To connect with the audience, we told a story about experimentation, accompanied by an original jazz score produced in collaboration with renowned musicians. Their dynamic performance added depth and perfectly complemented the piece’s mix of chaos and clarity.

MAKING OF
This project mirrored our studio’s R&D process, embracing experimentation and innovation. Using 2D animation in After Effects, cel animation for the character, and 3D animation in Cinema 4D rendered with Redshift, we built the sequence by testing, ranking, and refining ideas. Brain cam assets were richly 3D, while some typography combined 3D builds with a flat 2D aesthetic. The result was a celebration of creativity’s messiness and beauty.