In today’s fast-paced digital world, brands are constantly looking for fresh, exciting ways to connect with their audiences. Enter Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI) —an innovation that goes beyond traditional methods, opening up a world of possibilities for advertising. No longer limited by reality, CGI allows brands to craft visuals that are as stunning as they are effective, enabling ads that captivate, engage, and inspire.
From hyper-realistic products to fully imagined worlds, CGI is reshaping how we tell stories and reach audiences, delivering on the promise of creativity without limits. In this article, we’ll explore the opportunities CGI brings to advertising, uncover the steps to make it work for your brand, and show how tapping into CGI can boost any campaign to new heights.
What’s in the Article?
- What is CGI?
- Why do brands love CGI?
- Practical Application of CGI in Marketing
- CGI in Advertising
- CGI Production Process
- Trends Shaping the Future of CGI in Advertising
- How VMG Digital Can Elevate Your CGI Advertising
VMG Digital in CGI Example
So, What Exactly is CGI?
Let’s break it down. CGI refers to the creation of still or animated visual content using computer software. It’s a technique that allows artists to generate images and videos that can look incredibly real or wildly fantastical. Imagine designing a car that doesn’t yet exist or creating a breathtaking landscape from scratch. How cool would that be? With CGI, the possibilities are limitless. It involves three key components:
- 3D Modeling: Artists use software to create three-dimensional representations of objects or characters.
- Texturing and Lighting: They apply textures to these models, making them look realistic and setting the mood with lighting.
- Rendering: Finally, the computer generates the final images or animations, combining everything into a stunning visual experience.
Why do Brands Love CGI Ads?
CGI in advertising is booming, with the market projected to leap from $3.18 billion in 2020 to a whopping $13.44 billion by 2028. But what’s driving this shift? For starters, CGI gives brands the freedom to showcase products in wildly creative ways—imagine a car cruising on the moon or a skincare serum that visually shows its benefits on a cellular level! These kinds of visuals grab attention and help customers connect with the product in unique ways.
1. Creative Flexibility and Boundless Storytelling
CGI enables brands to visualize and communicate concepts that would be impossible to achieve in real life. It opens up a realm of possibilities that traditional photography or filming simply cannot match. Brands can dream up visuals that defy reality.
Whether you want to create a magical world for a fantasy film or showcase your product in a way that truly captures its essence, CGI allows for creative freedom allowing marketers to think outside the box and craft narratives that resonate emotionally with consumers. It’s about telling a story that resonates.
2. Cost Efficiency and Resource Optimization
You might think that CGI sounds expensive, but did you know it can actually save brands money in the long run? According to a report by Deloitte Digital, companies that utilize CGI for advertising can reduce production costs by up to 30%.
By generating photorealistic 3D models and environments digitally, brands can eliminate the need for extensive travel, physical sets, and numerous on-site personnel. In many cases, brands can reuse CGI assets across multiple campaigns or adapt them for different platforms without the added cost of re-filming, making CGI both a budget-friendly and environmentally conscious choice.
3. Increased Flexibility and Control
Ever wished you could change an ad even after it’s already been shot? With CGI, that’s possible. One of the most significant advantages of CGI is the flexibility it offers.
Creative teams can make changes to the visuals even after production has started, allowing for adjustments based on feedback or shifting market dynamics. This agility can be invaluable, particularly in a rapidly changing advertising landscape.
4. Boosting Engagement and Conversions
CGI can significantly enhance viewer engagement, which in turn can lead to increased conversions. A study by Wyzowl found that 79% of consumers prefer watching a video to reading text. By integrating CGI into video advertisements, brands can create visually stunning content that captures attention and holds interest.
Additionally, CGI can help create immersive experiences, such as 3D product visualizations, leading to a 37% higher click-through rate (CTR) than traditional images, according to a report by Eyeview.
5. Clear Performance Advantage Over Traditional Media
When comparing CGI with traditional media, the performance benefits become evident. Traditional media often relies on static images or video shots that may not fully capture a product’s features or benefits. In contrast, CGI can demonstrate functionality, detail, and versatility in ways that engage consumers more effectively.
A report from Nielsen found that CGI ads can increase brand recall by up to 54% compared to traditional media, thanks to their engaging visuals and storytelling capabilities.
Practical Applications of CGI in Marketing
So, how do brands actually use CGI in their advertising? Let’s explore some practical applications:
- Product Visualization: Brands can create realistic 3D models of products, allowing consumers to explore them from different angles and perspectives.
- Animated Advertisements: CGI allows for animated characters and environments that can tell a story in a dynamic way.
- Virtual Reality Experiences: Brands can use CGI to create immersive virtual environments that engage consumers on a deeper level.
- Interactive Ads: CGI can power interactive elements within ads, allowing users to manipulate visuals or experience products in a unique way.
Real-World Examples of CGI in Advertising
- Uniqlo – Lifewear Made for All
In Uniqlo’s “LifeWear” campaign, CGI was used to showcase the intricate fibers and fabrics of their clothing in an ultra-close-up, almost microscopic view. Through CGI, Uniqlo was able to highlight the quality and texture of its garments in ways that live filming could never achieve. This precision lets brands like Uniqlo convey the meticulous craftsmanship and quality of their products, giving viewers a deeper appreciation for what goes into each piece.
Uniqlo’s LifeWear Made for All
2. Volvo – The Epic Split
While many know this ad for Jean-Claude Van Damme’s impressive split between two moving trucks, few realize the precise role CGI played in making the visuals flawless. CGI was subtly used to perfect the trucks’ alignment and ensure safety, allowing for a captivating yet controlled scenario. This ad illustrates how CGI can enhance precision in situations where live-action meets technical complexity.
Volvo – The Epic Split
3. Nike – The Last Game
Nike’s “The Last Game” ad featured a five-minute animated story with CGI-rendered soccer legends in a futuristic setting. The ad tells an engaging narrative while celebrating individual talent and creativity in sports. CGI enabled Nike to create a visually striking, action-packed animated short, effectively merging the worlds of sports, storytelling, and entertainment.
Nike – The Last Game
4. Guinness – Cloud
In “Cloud,” Guinness used CGI to bring a cloud to life as it floated through a city in search of the perfect pint of Guinness. The playful concept combined real-world footage with CGI to make the cloud appear lifelike, creating a whimsical ad that left a lasting impression. This ad demonstrates CGI’s ability to blend realism with fantasy, helping Guinness create an unforgettable, story-driven campaign.
Guinness – Cloud
The CGI Production Process: What to Expect
CGI bridges the world of the real and the imagined. It is creative magic where constraints of location or budget to produce a visually impressive storyline are made possible. This is not just something for big budget movies anymore it is here to stay for brands keen to transcend their product and the consumer experience to another place, leaving the consumer in wonder, and questioning how did they do that?
The answer of course – CGI Magic. But given we like to reveal the ‘trick’ here is what makes up the CGI process:
Pre-Production & Planning (Day 1-3):
- Concept and Storyboarding: Every great idea starts with brainstorming. Teams outline the narrative and visual style. When it comes to CGI/FOOH Ads, the very important thing is finding the relevant live action footage so that the outcome will be very much close to reality.
- Reference and Asset Sourcing: For CGI/FOOH ads, finding relevant live-action footage is crucial to achieving a realistic and immersive final result. This footage serves as a base for integration and ensures the CGI elements blend seamlessly with the real-world environment.
Production Days (Day 4-12)
- Day 4-5: Camera Tracking: Selecting the relevant live action footage. Camera tracking is the process of mapping a camera’s movement in a live action footage for VFX integration. This technical process involves analyzing the live-action footage and precisely mapping the camera’s movements. This data is essential for accurately placing and integrating the CGI elements into the scene.
- Day 6-9: 3D Modeling: Skilled artists use specialized software like Blender or Autodesk Maya to create detailed three-dimensional representations of characters, objects, and environments. This is where the virtual world starts to take shape.
- Day 10: Texturing and Lighting: The 3D models are brought to life by applying realistic textures and materials. Lighting artists then carefully craft the lighting to create the desired mood and atmosphere, ensuring the scene looks believable and visually appealing.
- Day 10-12: Animation: In this stage, animators use their expertise to add movement and personality to the 3D characters and elements. Whether it’s subtle gestures or dynamic action sequences, animation breathes life into the CGI creations.
- Day 12: Rendering: This computationally intensive process involves the computer generating the final high-quality images or animations by combining all the previous elements. It’s where the individual pieces come together to form the complete visual experience.
Post-Production (Day 13-15)
- Day 13 – 15: Compositing & Final Render process: The rendered CGI elements are seamlessly integrated with the live-action footage. This requires careful attention to detail to ensure a realistic and convincing result.
Trends Shaping the Future of CGI in Advertising
As technology advances, CGI continues to evolve, and several trends are shaping its future in advertising:
- Interactive and Immersive Experiences: Brands are exploring ways to engage consumers through interactive CGI ads that allow viewers to explore products in a virtual environment.
- Augmented Reality (AR) Integration: Combining CGI with AR can enhance the shopping experience, allowing consumers to visualize products in their own space before making a purchase.
- Sustainability in Production: As brands become more environmentally conscious, CGI offers a sustainable alternative to traditional advertising methods, reducing the need for physical resources.
How VMG Digital Can Elevate Your Advertising with CGI.
At VMG Digital, we understand the transformative power of CGI in advertising. Our talented team is equipped with the skills and technology to bring your boldest ideas to life. Whether you want to create stunning visuals for your next campaign or need a complete CGI solution, we’re here to help you turn your concepts into captivating experiences.
With CGI, you can unlock new opportunities for creativity, engagement, and connection with your audience. Let’s collaborate to craft the impossible and redefine your brand’s narrative in the digital age.
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Frequently Asked Questions About CGI
What is CGI in advertising?
CGI, or Computer-Generated Imagery, refers to the creation of still or animated visual content using computer software. In advertising, CGI allows brands to create realistic representations of products, simulate environments, and produce visually stunning effects that can be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional filming techniques.
How does CGI compare to traditional advertising methods?
CGI offers several advantages over traditional advertising methods, including greater creative flexibility, cost-effectiveness in the long run, and the ability to quickly update visuals without reshooting entire scenes. Brands can depict their products in imaginative scenarios, increasing engagement and enhancing the viewer’s experience.
Why do brands choose to use CGI?
Brands love CGI because it allows them to showcase their products in unique and eye-catching ways. With CGI, companies can create lifelike 3D models, animated effects, and immersive experiences that capture attention and drive engagement. Statistics show that CGI ads can improve viewer engagement by significant margins, making them a preferred choice for modern advertising campaigns.
Are CGI ads expensive to produce?
While the initial investment in CGI can be higher than traditional filming methods, it often proves to be more cost-effective in the long run. CGI eliminates many costs associated with physical production, such as location fees, set design, and actor salaries. Additionally, it allows for easier adaptations and updates, further streamlining the advertising process.
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