Xbox Elite Series 2 /

ClientMicrosoft

RoleProduction Strategy

Services

Build a Hero AdOne-Off Project

Replace Photo ShootsMonthly Retainer

Custom InquiryBespoke Scope

The Challenge

Black-on-blackproductsarenotoriouslydifficulttolightwithoutlosingform.TheEliteSeries2ispackedwithsubtlematerialvariations—matteplasticfaceplates,knurledmetalthumbsticks,andwrap-aroundrubberizedgrips.Inalow-key,darkstudiosetup,thesedistinctsurfaceseasilybleedtogetherintoaflat,unreadablesilhouette.

The Solution

Tocarvetheshapeoutofthedarkness,thelightingstrategyreliedheavilyonaggressive,sharprimlightsandmicro-contrast.Ispentasignificantamountoftimedialingintheroughnessandnormalmapsfortherubbergripssothelightwouldcatchthemicro-texturesperfectly,instantlycommunicatingthattacticalfeel.Themetallic,facetedD-padwastreatedwithsharper,cleanerreflectionstoactasanaturalfocalpointinthedarkestclose-upshots.

How we got there

Thecore3Dpipeline—fromlightingsetupstotheintricatematerialnodetrees—wasbuiltentirelyinBlender.Oncetherawpasseswererendered,thesequencewasbroughtintoDaVinciResolveforfinalfinishing.Thecolorgradedeliberatelypushedtheblacklevelsdownforacinematicaesthetic,whileaddingacrisp,clinicaledgetothehighlightstoreinforcethepremiumbranding.