Nick Jr. Animations - Castle in the Sky

3D claymay animation | bumpers

Dive into imagination with our claymation 3D animations on Nick Jr. First up, Castle in the Sky—a magical fortress floating among clouds, guarded by a watchful alligator. Then, journey to The Treehouse, where adventure awaits on a bridge-connected watchtower and rope swing. These animations capture the limitless creativity of childhood, showcasing our expertise in bringing fantastical worlds to life.

the vision

Embarking on the creative journey for Castle in the Sky and its companion piece, The Treehouse, we dove into the realms of childhood wonder, embracing the challenges and joys of animation artistry. Our vision was clear: to craft worlds that capture the boundless imagination of children, brought to life through vivid, engaging animation.

In the early stages, experimentation was our guide. We explored the tactile qualities of Play-Doh, incorporating its textures and patterns to give our animations a tangible, hands-on feel. Initial ZBrush sculpting offered valuable insights but ultimately led us to a key realization—the power of simplicity in resonating with our young audience’s world.

creative

Children’s toys, like simple blocks, hold a special kind of magic—they can become anything in a child’s mind. This profound simplicity shapes their worlds, where less is infinitely more and imagination fills the gaps. Our pivot to simpler modeling and texturing embraced this truth, mirroring the straightforward, uncluttered perception of our youngest viewers.

This approach brought new depth to the narrative and visual appeal. Each character—the protective alligator, the laid-back turtle, and the lazy bird—was crafted to resonate with the imagination, using the familiar, primitive shapes we all come to know first.

el fin

Castle in the Sky and The Treehouse exemplify what we strive for at Bad Idea: animation that captivates, creativity that inspires, and storytelling that resonates. These projects reflect not just our skill and ambition but our passion for bringing imaginative worlds to life. We look forward to the adventures ahead and the stories still waiting to be told!

credits