SCAD X Harbor - Week 1

Hello, and welcome to my SCAD x Harbor blog!

This blog chronicles my experience in SANM 560: Collaborative Experiences in the School of Animation and Motion, where we have the privilege of being mentored by professionals at Harbor Picture Company. Their feedback, along with weekly check-ins, helps us refine our work and continuously improve.

I’m Wei, a graduate student pursuing an MFA in Visual Effects at the Savannah College of Art and Design. This is my second time working as part of a team and receiving feedback from both Harbor mentors and SCAD professors, and I’m excited to share this journey with you!

I’m part of a five-member team called Team Coco, which includes:

• Shannon Taylor: 3D Generalist / Look Dev

• Jenson Dantes: Lighting / Look Dev

• Eva Chan: FX Artist

• Wei Lou (me): FX Artist

• Alice Yeh: Compositing

This week, our team spent time getting to know one another, identifying each member’s strengths, and brainstorming a variety of product ideas—including jewelry, skincare and makeup lines, and perfume. After much discussion, we landed on our final concept: Chanel No. 5 perfume.

Chanel No. 5 perfume

Brand Research

Chanel No. 5 is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and enduring fragrances ever created. Introduced in 1921 by fashion pioneer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, it broke new ground with its use of synthetic aldehydes and elegant, minimalist packaging. Its floral notes provide a rich canvas for visual storytelling, inspiring imagery of blooming flowers and gently flowing liquid and mist. To evoke the perfume’s signature warmth and sophistication, we’ve chosen a golden sunset palette that harmonizes beautifully with the actual hue of Chanel No. 5. We also decided on the camellia—a flower synonymous with Chanel—for our primary floral element.

Inspiration & Reference

Our team referred to these videos for both shot design and FX inspiration.

Ombre Nomade Fragrance: An Ode to Oud | LOUIS VUITTON

Myriad Perfume: Les Extraits Collection | LOUIS VUITTON

Previs

Here is our previs, It visually outlines the flow of our Chanel No. 5 concept, capturing key scenes, transitions, and creative elements—such as blooming floral, falling droplet and flowing mist—that will ultimately bring our golden, sunset-inspired aesthetic to life.

Featuring animations by:

• Jenson (Shots 1, 7, and 8)

• Wei (Shots 2 and 3)

• Eva (Shots 4, 5, and 6)

The storyboard was created by Shannon, and all shots were integrated by Alice.

FX Reference

As part of the FX team, I’m responsible for crafting the blooming flower effect with lifelike water droplets on its petals (Shot 2), as well as simulating a single droplet that falls off the petal (Shot 3).

Here is the FX reference for Shot2.

Blooming Flower

Blooming Flower with Droplets

Droplets on the Petal

Here is the FX reference for Shot3.

Single Droplet falling off the Petal

Single Droplet transit in the air

FX R&D

Here’s a quick look at one individual petal within the bud.

For the blooming flower effect, I’ve been working on a procedural growth system that lets each petal unfold naturally. This week, I focused on three main nodes:

1. Curve/Line Nodes

   • Provide the foundation for each petal’s shape and path

   • Give me precise control over outlines and overall design

2. Rig Pose

   • Acts as a bone-based controller to articulate every petal

   • Lets me tweak and animate how the petals open

3. Bone Deform

   • Applies the rig’s movement to the actual petal geometry

   • Creates smooth, natural deformations when used with Rig Pose

     
     

Additionally, I’m researching the Vellum system to help avoid petal intersections during the unfolding process. I’ll share more details about this in next week’s post.

I’m excited to share our journey and progress in the coming weeks—stay tuned!