Animating a Legend
Bringing rhythm and richness to a timeless rum for Appleton Estate and Lewis Moberly.
Appleton Estate’s 17-Year-Old Legend is a collector’s edition rum, a tribute to the original blend that inspired the first Mai Tai. Designed by Lewis Moberly, the campaign captured both the rarity of the product and the heritage behind it, spanning brand identity, packaging, and rollout.
I joined the creative team to help translate that richness into motion, crafting animated assets for social, supporting creative direction on shoot days, and giving flight to one of the campaign’s most symbolic elements: a custom blue hummingbird, brought to life as part of the story.
Symbol of Craft, Brought to Life
A key motif throughout the campaign was a blue hummingbird, designed to echo the vibrant tones of Appleton Estate’s palette. I animated the bird across several assets, using fluid, weightless movement to reflect both the delicacy of the product and the care behind its making.
Whether subtly hovering across a loop or making a brief appearance in a teaser, the hummingbird added a sense of continuity and quiet elegance to the rollout.
Bespoke Detail for a Bottle Like No Other
With only 36 bottles released as NFTs via BlockBar, this wasn’t just a rum launch, it was the debut of a modern collectible. Every animation was crafted to reflect that rarity, blending tradition with a contemporary edge.
I worked closely with a 3D visualiser to bring the digital version of the bottle to life, matching its material richness, deep hues, and premium presence in motion. From subtle teaser loops to high-gloss reveals, each asset honoured the legend behind the liquid.