3D Character Campaign | Spirit of Detroit

The Spirit of Detroit Character Animation Campaign is my second 3D animation of Detroit’s most iconic statue — this time reimagined standing up. Originally started as a personal side project for Detroit’s birthday, the campaign merges artistic reinterpretation with technical execution, breathing new life into a nearly 75-year-old civic symbol!
Project Goal
To develop a fully rigged, standing version of the Spirit of Detroit that could serve as a versatile 3D asset for campaign visuals, educational materials, and community-focused events — while deepening my skills in character animation and storytelling.
Skills and Tools
Modeling & Topology: Mesh reconstruction, leg creation, topology refinement.
3D Rigging: Custom control systems for limb movement and animated orb.
Animation: Full-body posing, dynamic hand gestures, animated mouth.
Lighting & Rendering: Consistency across shots and multiple outputs.
Software: After Effects, Blender, Cycles, Premiere Pro.
Process
I began with the Spirit of Detroit mesh from my 3/13 day animation project and added new leg geometry to create a natural standing pose, updating the topology for proper deformation. I built rigging systems for expressive body movement and orb interaction, and integrated facial controls for a fully animated mouth.
Throughout the project, I shared behind-the-scenes progress on TikTok — from modeling and rigging to animation — and adapted organically to challenges, embracing trial-and-error as part of the creative process.
Impact
This project expanded my technical expertise in mesh reconstruction, rigging, and animation, while also reaching new audiences on TikTok and growing visibility for Detroit-focused creative work. It resulted in a reusable 3D character asset for future campaigns and educational projects, and demonstrated how cultural landmarks can be reimagined for modern digital storytelling.