Top Dog Advisory
Design, 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Script Development
This project started with a simple catch-up call to George Faigen, an ex-colleague and former partner at Oliver Wyman, who had launched Top Dog Advisory (TDA) a few years back. This call, happening at a crucial time when I was starting my own business, turned out to be extremely beneficial. George, with over 30 years in innovation, shared insights about his new company's focus on rethinking innovation strategies.
During our 90-minute conversation, George casually mentioned wanting to create 3D models of his Rolling Ball framework for his clients. In turn, I casually mentioned that I could help him with that. After all he just gave me a crash course in business building, and I wanted to give back in any way I could. That 90-minute call unexpectedly turned into a 90-second explainer video.
The Rolling Ball
George hired me to help him create an explainer video that delved into the nuances of his process. The Rolling Ball Approach, honed over decades, has been a successful strategy for companies of all sizes to foster real innovation. The video's aim was to animate this concept, making it straightforward yet impactful.
What made this project unique…
…was the personal touch of George's style, which profoundly influenced TDA's brand identity. The color palette of Top Dog Advisory, inspired by George's attire on the day of its conception, highlighted the importance of infusing his personality into the video. The explainer video needed to reflect this, capturing George's personality and professional ethos.
Our Hero
The creative process involved extensive storyboarding and visual explorations, focusing on crafting the Rolling Ball not just as a symbol, but as a unique character. This protagonist needed to embody the distinctiveness and personality of each business it represented. We experimented with a variety of textures and patterns, aiming to keep the ball relatable yet distinctive.
Our visual style choice blended 2D elements…
…with a 3D Rolling Ball, creating a dynamic interplay between the dimensions. The focus was on the four core aspects of the Rolling Ball business model - Diameter, Mass, Friction, and Magnetism. Each dimension was crafted to be distinct and instantly recognizable, from the diameter reflecting the scale of business ideas to the magnetism indicating customer attraction.
The process of script creation and visual storytelling was a journey of learning and adaptation. Working with George on this project was an amazing experience, combining innovative business concepts with creative design and storytelling. The final video was not just a summary of TDA's approach but a reflection of our shared vision and creative partnership. It served as a testament to the power of combining experience and passion across fields to create something informative, engaging, and visually striking.