Project Snapshot

Role: Art Director · Artist · Animator · Editor · Logo Designer · Sound Designer
Tools: After Effects, Photoshop, Trapcode Particular, 3ds Max (static sets), custom paintovers
Project Type: Cinematic Trailer for a mystery game called Alibi

Overview

Alibi is a cinematic game trailer created to introduce the atmosphere, tone, and world of a 1940s-inspired murder mystery title. The goal was to establish an immediately recognizable visual identity, communicate narrative intrigue, and deliver a polished, emotionally engaging teaser that could support both marketing and internal pitch efforts.

The project combines stylized 3D environments (generated in collaboration with AI-driven workflows and custom paintovers), motion graphics, logo design, lighting direction, and complete sound design.

1. Visual Direction & Worldbuilding

To evoke the mood of classic noir cinema, the visual direction centered on:

  • Controlled lighting inspired by 1940s film
  • Warm interiors contrasted with cold exterior night shots
  • Architectural silhouettes and shadows that telegraph danger
  • Atmospheric dust and subtle particle effects for depth

Static 3D environments were created using a hybrid workflow:
specific AI-assisted architectural prompts → custom Photoshop paintovers → lighting and compositing in After Effects.
This enabled rapid exploration while maintaining artistic control.

The resulting look balances realism and stylization, supporting narrative clarity and emotional tension.

2. Motion Design & Cinematic Pacing

The trailer relies on carefully planned motion design to build suspense:

  • Slow, deliberate camera moves
  • Staged reveals through shadow, silhouette, and negative space
  • Directed light sweeps highlighting key story elements
  • Timed transitions to rhythmically elevate tension

Each shot was composed to guide the viewer’s eye and set an escalating emotional pace, culminating in the final logo reveal.

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3. Sound Design & Editorial Rhythm

Sound played a crucial role in the trailer’s impact.
All sound effects were:

  • Sourced, edited, and layered manually
  • Timed precisely to each visual cue
  • Balanced to support dramatic pacing

The music track was selected to underscore intrigue and atmosphere.
It was edited and spliced to accentuate transitions, heighten tension, and punctuate the final reveal.

This full audio-led pacing is what gives the trailer its cinematic feel.

4. 3D Integration & Hybrid Pipeline

3D assets were modeled, lit, and rendered, then composited with matte painting, FX layers, and color grading. The hybrid approach offered tight control over:

  • Lighting passes
  • Occlusion and shadow
  • Animation timing
  • Grading and atmosphere layers

This allowed each shot to retain a high level of polish while staying adaptable during production.

5. Title Logo Design — Brand Identity for the Trailer

The Alibi logo was designed as a simple yet iconic mark capable of carrying the project’s mystery theme.

Key design details include:

  • Typeface: Capital font chosen for its 1940s-era visual authenticity
  • Interior texture: A subtle thumbprint worked into the fill, hinting at forensic elements
  • Dual stroke treatment:
    • inner stroke reflects warm interior lighting
    • outer stroke echoes cooler exterior tones and period signage
  • Underscore line: a thin red line symbolizing crime, danger, and hidden truth

The final logo is cinematic, thematic, and visually distinct — instantly readable even in motion.

Outcome

The Alibi cinematic trailer successfully delivers:

  • A cohesive 1940s-inspired mystery atmosphere
  • A strong early brand identity centered around the custom logo
  • A visually rich storytelling moment for marketing and pitch
  • A refined balance of design, motion, and sound
  • A clear demonstration of worldbuilding, editing, lighting, and narrative timing

It stands as an example of your ability to handle end-to-end motion production — from visual concepting through sound design and final delivery.

Tools & Techniques

  • Blender — Base environment structure
  • Photoshop — Paintovers, set enhancements, texture refinements
  • After Effects — Camera animation, compositing, FX, editing, logo motion
  • Trapcode Particular — Atmospheric particles, dust, fog
  • Logo & Identity Design — Typography, stroke logic, thematic detailing
  • Full Sound Design — Effects sourcing, editing, mixing, and music cutting
  • Generative Previsualization Tools — Architectural and lighting ideation
  • Cinematic Editing & Timing Principles