"What if we had a first down graphic where we had a down marker, except it was also a buoy?"
I said to myself before embarking on a nearly year-long pursuit of a 20-second graphic. In all seriousness, this was an excuse to really deep dive into Houdini and try to bring more of my VFX expertise into the world of sports design.
The main project here, followed below by all the possible versions needed.
All ideas start somewhere. Above, the initial exploration trying to find a good camera angle. And below, some development of the buoy, how it floats as well as textures and references.
And a few GIFs showcasing the refinement of the wave.
