Creating a 3D Coca-Cola commercial
I designed and modeled a Coca-Cola Zero can in Autodesk Maya, using nParticles, motion paths, and depth of field to create a dynamic 3D ad. Final touches, like logo animation and graphics, were added in After Effects and Premiere Pro for a polished finish.
Creating a short, animated commercial for Coca-Cola Zero as part of the course Gestaltningsteknik at Umeå University. The project followed a full production pipeline: from concept development to final 3D animation and post-production.
Project
I handled the entire process — designing the concept, creating the Coca-Cola can and its detailed label design in Adobe Illustrator, modeling and animating the 3D can in Maya, applying advanced techniques like nParticles and motion paths, and completing post-production in After Effects and Premiere Pro to deliver a polished commercial.
My Role
Autodesk Maya for 3D modeling, animation, and effects. Illustrator for label design, After Effects for logo animation and graphics. Premiere Pro for final editing.
Tools
For a project in the course Gestaltningsteknik at Umeå University, I created a 3D commercial for Coca-Cola Zero. I modeled the can entirely in Autodesk Maya and enhanced the scene with nParticles for realistic water droplets, motion paths for smooth animation, and depth of field to highlight the product.
The final composition was completed in After Effects and Premiere Pro, where I animated the Coca-Cola logo and designed motion graphics like the "new flavor" headline. The project combines technical 3D skills with motion design to create a short, eye-catching ad.
Project Overview
Working on this project during the pandemic came with unique challenges. With limited access to campus resources, I completed the entire production on my personal MacBook Air, which meant working with restricted computing power. The rendering process was particularly time-consuming, and once it was underway, there was little room for making adjustments. This taught me the importance of careful pre-planning, efficient project management, and finding creative solutions within technical limitations.
Challenges & Learnings
The Coca-Cola commercial project started with a strong focus on concept development. Before jumping into any 3D modeling, I created a moodboard to define the visual direction. I wanted to keep the design simple but striking, working heavily with shadows to add depth and realism. I made sure to stick closely to Coca-Cola’s established color palette and drew inspiration from their previous campaigns, aiming to reflect the clean, vibrant style that is typical for how Coca-Cola presents their products.
After setting the tone with the moodboard, I moved on to creating a storyboard that mapped out the entire animation flow, ensuring a clear structure from start to finish.
With a solid plan in place, I modeled the Coca-Cola can in Maya, carefully building both the main can and the detailed label graphics in Adobe Illustrator. I used advanced 3D techniques like nParticles to simulate realistic water droplets on the can’s surface and motion paths to animate its entrance into the frame naturally and elegantly.
When the 3D animation was complete, I transitioned into post-production. Using After Effects, I animated the Coca-Cola logo onto the can, while Premiere Pro was used for final editing and additional graphic elements like the "new flavor" headline. To enhance the emotional impact, I layered sound effects and added a lively music track from Coca-Cola’s collaboration with the 2014 FIFA World Cup — tying the commercial back to the brand’s campaign at the time when Coca-Cola Zero introduced its new flavor.
The final result is a short, punchy, and visually cohesive commercial that stays true to Coca-Cola’s brand identity while showcasing my skills across both 3D and motion design.
Process
Final Results
The final commercial is a clean, dynamic, and brand-aligned 3D animation that captures the essence of Coca-Cola’s vibrant identity. Through motion graphics and sound design, the ad delivers a clear and engaging message — showcasing both the new flavor launch and my ability to manage an entire creative production from concept to finish.