Styleframes
IKEA? OKEA!
Problem
Moving into a new home—especially for college students or young adults living alone for the first time—can feel isolating. While IKEA provides affordable and stylish furniture, the emotional aspect of settling into an empty space often goes unaddressed. The challenge was to create a motion design campaign that reassures young customers that they’re not alone in this transition and that IKEA products can help turn a house into a home.
I crafted a 3D animation with a cute, vibrant aesthetic to bring warmth and personality to the message. The story follows a suitcase—symbolizing a fresh start—arriving at an empty house, feeling lonely at first. But as they start ordering IKEA products, each new piece of furniture comes to life as a friendly companion, filling the space with comfort and connection. Through expressive animation, dynamic colors, and a heartwarming narrative, the campaign transforms IKEA from just a furniture brand into a trusted friend that helps people feel at home.
Process
Sept 29
Research and Storyboards
Oct 7
Styleframes and Development
Oct 30
Animation
Nov 10
Final Publish
Design References
Color
#fbda0c
#ffe753
#4d9ceb
#0057ad
I gathered references from playful 3D animations with strong character storytelling and bold color palettes. Inspired by animated short films and friendly mascots in branding, I aimed to create a world where objects have personality—making the IKEA shopping experience feel more like a welcoming journey rather than a solo task.
I created three or four rough cuts based on my storyboard, but unfortunately, none of them met my expectations or those of my audience after I shared them for feedback. The animation ended up feeling amateurish, with a "computer-generated" quality, rather than having the natural flow of a well-crafted animated film.
To address this, I decided to create a shot list informed by my knowledge of cinematography - much like I would if I were shooting a live-action film. This process helped me identify several issues. For example, inconsistent camera movements made the editing feel choppy. A camera should remain stationary when it's not in the previous shot, and should be in motion if it was moving previously. As a result, I had to re-edit the scenes to ensure the camera movements were consistent between cuts.
Styleframes
