McDonald's - Sonic in Your Happy Meal
Compositing • 3D VFX • Motion Design
Description
Dedicated to the Sonic Superstars universe, this Happy Meal commercial for Portugal and Spain was fully realized in 3D.
Without any live shooting, each element from SEGA's iconic characters to the Happy Meal box was designed and animated digitally in a dynamic, ultra-colorful universe.
Alongside another VFX artist and a 3D artist, I worked primarily on 3D compositing and creating animations and visuals for toys. The objective was orchestrating different render passes, enriching shot energy, and finalizing the image for impactful commercial rendering.
Sonic crosses the screen at full speed! Tails glides suspended, Knuckles and Amy join the movement to unify their frantic race, slaloming between boxes of the children's signature menu. Each action required precise assembly, rhythm, and fluidity work to showcase the chain's famous product: THE HAPPY MEAL.
Role
VFX Artist & Compositor
Toolkit
- After Effects
Duration
3 weeks
Production
TBWA
Challenges & Solutions
3D Compositing & Pass Management
On a fully digital production, each shot comprises multiple passes (shadows, reflections, lights, special effects). The balance between visual intensity and commercial clarity needed perfect mastery.
I assembled different passes in After Effects, adjusted contrasts, reinforced reflections. I also created and integrated motion design effects with the second VFX Artist's help to energize scenes while maintaining clear character and toy readability.
Energy & Readability
The Sonic universe relies on speed and movement exaggeration. Too many effects could harm product understanding, too few could weaken impact.
Precise work on motion blur, dynamic trails, and light effects supported action without overloading the image. Each toy-related animation was designed to strengthen narration while guiding the eye.
100% CGI Visual Cohesion
Without live sets, everything relies on light, shadow, and depth credibility... That's when I intervene.
My compositing work unified lighting, refined color, and gave clean, polished commercial finishing faithful to the McDonald's universe and Sonic franchise energy.