ABSOLUT VODKA RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE

Research

I began by developing the overall flow of the chain reaction, focusing on how each action would transition into the next and how the movement could build toward the final product shot. From there, I modeled and arranged the scene elements to support both the mechanical logic of the sequence and the visual pacing of the animation.

Rendering Separate AOVs

To support a more flexible post-production workflow, I rendered separate AOVs for compositing in Nuke. This allowed me to isolate and fine-tune elements like the optical glow and hue shift on the olive-like metal ball in comp, giving me more precise control over its final appearance while preserving the integrity of the base render. Cryptomattes were especially useful in this project because they allowed me to isolate individual objects and material regions quickly in compositing, making it much easier to apply targeted adjustments and refine specific elements without disrupting the rest of the render.

Staying true to the brand

By combining a carefully controlled lighting setup, refined product materials, and a flexible Nuke compositing pipeline, I was able to shape the final render in a way that felt polished, elevated, and consistent with Absolut’s premium brand image. The final piece balances clarity, sophistication, and a bold visual atmosphere, allowing the Espresso Martini bottle to feel both true to the brand and visually distinctive within the Rube Goldberg concept.