5 Examples of Animation Combining 2D and 3D

Animator Andrea Gendusa shares work from his animation portfolio

In animation, you can adjust different techniques and styles to suit each project. Whether you choose to use 2D or 3D animation will depend on your personal preferences and the type of project you’re working on.

However, you can also use 2D and 3D animation in the same project, giving the piece a unique style. That's exactly what animator Andrea Gendusa (@andreagendusa) does, combining working in both Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D.

In today’s blog, we share a selection of Andrea's projects created in collaboration with the team at his Barcelona-based agency, Frame Light Studio. You’ll see how they bring depth and energy to short pieces using both programs.

Stop The Waste Campaign

Animation for the United Nations World Food Program

For this video, Andrea Gendusa was in charge of sound effects, art direction, design, and animation. His task was to create a universal message. While in some parts of the world up to a third of food that is bought is thrown away, one in nine people in the world suffers from hunger every day. In this video, Andrea’s goal was to highlight the importance of small, individual actions in a charming way.

Music video for ‘Burn’

Animation for AJ Mitchell (Epic Records)

This music video shows great skill in combining 2D and 3D animation, featuring ultra-smooth transitions and a hand-drawn aesthetic. The video was adapted for social media, and the artwork was used for the single cover. The songwriter explained that ‘Burn’ is "a conversation with myself. It reminds me of the importance of having a say in everything I do.”

Inner-Self

Personal project

Andrea created this project for his Domestika course, 2D and 3D Animation with After Effects and Cinema 4D. Using a combination of techniques, students learn to create a storyboard, design each frame, and create an animation project similar to this one.

Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace & Security

Georgetown University publishes research on inclusion, justice, and security for women in 167 countries, as well as looking at well-being and empowerment. Andrea created this video explaining what life and reality are like for women around the world, according to information provided by the institute.

Trailer for the book “Song of Tarots”

Mixing animation and illustration techniques–including motion graphics and stop motion–this video was created to present Lucia Dettori's book, “Song of Tarots.” Andrea played with the concept of tarot in her animation as a way to introduce readers to the project.

How to talk to children about gender?

Planned Parenthood

Andrea was in charge of animating this video for Planned Parenthood, which shows, in an engaging way, how limiting gender roles and stereotypes are. With illustrations by Carlos Alegría and directed by David Wade, this video is an example of how animation can promote messages that have a social impact.

If you want to learn more about Andrea and her work, sign up to her course, 2D and 3D Animation with After Effects and Cinema 4D, and learn to inject life and energy into illustrations to create unique animations.

English version by @eloiseedgington.

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