TAMPA BAY
BUCCANEERS
01
DESIGN CHALLENGE
I worked with Deavon Goods on this project to create a series of animations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Our goal is to energize football fans and elevate their game-day experience. We design exciting, dynamic animations to enhance the live atmosphere at Tampa Bay Buccaneers games.
02
RESEARCH
The Buccaneers play their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. To better understand the stadium's design, we visited the site and conducted research. The stadium features giant screens with a 7:21 aspect ratio, and its primary colors are red and white. Notably, there is a large pirate ship model on one side of the stadium, which we may incorporate into our concept.
The results indicate that most animations for sports events combine 3D and 2D elements. However, to create a more distinctive style, we decided to introduce something new.
To better cater to the preferences of football fans, we also reviewed and analyzed popular sports animation styles from recent years.
Raymond James Stadium
Monday Night Football
CBS Inside College Basketball
03
APPROACH & IDEAS
DIRECTION 01
"Comic Book Aggression!"
DIRECTION 02
"Bayside Power!"
Our research revealed that most sports animations lean toward realism, so we wanted to introduce a unique twist—comics. The 3D comic style enhances football’s intense nature by showcasing exaggerated impacts, such as tackles creating shockwaves or balls leaving fiery trails. These dynamic 2D effects vividly highlight the game’s raw power.
Our second idea focused more on Tampa itself. The 'Bayside Power' concept merges the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ branding with a bold 3D island design that captures the dynamic and aggressive spirit of Tampa Bay. By incorporating a 3D visual style that highlights the scenic beauty and ruggedness of the Bayshore area, this fresh approach revitalizes the Buccaneers’ graphics while preserving their signature energy and ferocity.
We developed six storyboards based on our two concepts, including elements like a call to action, touchdowns or first touchdowns, and the looping Buccaneers logo. After discussing with the art director, we ultimately decided on Approach 1, but we needed to simplify the storyboards significantly.
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04
STYLE FRAMES DEVELOPMENT
Before starting the animation, six style frames needed to be created. The initial version required significant improvements. First, the comic style wasn’t well represented and needed more comic textures. Second, the font color needed to be brightened to stand out against the dark red background. Lastly, the background color needed enhancement; adding orange or other bright colors could improve the overall look.
Based on this feedback, several changes were made to the second version of the style frames. After discussions with the art director, more comic elements, such as rough color blocks, were added to the background. Solid colors were replaced with pewter tones to give the image a richer, full-color appearance. The texture of the sail’s surface material was scaled down to create a larger visual impact. Additionally, all fonts were outlined in black to make them stand out more.
Version 1: Initial design by Jay Zhou, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
Version 2: Initial design by Jay Zhou, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
In the third version of the style frames, signature comic-style dot patterns were incorporated along with bright color blocks to make the objects in the image more prominent.
Version 3: Initial design by Jay Zhou, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
05
ANIMATIONS
1st pass animation
We agreed that Deavon would handle most of the 3D aspects, while I would focus primarily on 2D. After finalizing the style, we completed the first version of the animation. However, it was clear that the visuals lacked contrast, and the overall animation was missing the passion and energy expected in a sporting event.
2nd pass animation
We added orange to the background to enhance contrast and improve transitions within the frames. The 'Touchdown' animation should not include anticipation. Additionally, a different background color should be chosen for the sail and flag; the current white lines are somewhat distracting. Finally, some models need to be adjusted to align more closely with the original logo.
Top 3: Initial animations by Deavon Goods, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
Top 3: Initial animations by Deavon Goods, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
Bottom 3: Initial animations by Jay Zhou, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
Bottom 3: Initial animations by Jay Zhou, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
Revision pass animation
In the revised version, we still need to adjust the models, such as the sword and skull, to better match the original logo. Additionally, we need to refine the font size, color, and spacing to enhance readability. We also need to tweak the cannon’s firing animation to make it more realistic. Lastly, we need to conduct some research on real sails to improve their accuracy in the animation. We will fix these in the final pass.
Top 3: Initial animations by Deavon Goods, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
Bottom 3: Initial animations by Jay Zhou, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
06
TECHNICAL EXECUTION
To ensure the sail animation loops seamlessly, we used pose morph and offset duplicates by 100 frames, creating a perfect loop without repeating frames.
To streamline compositing in After Effects, we rendered text and elements separately, allowing individual adjustments to tone, size, and properties.
We added a vibrate tag to the camera to give the animation a more dynamic and energetic feel.
The background was created in After Effects using Fractal Noise, adjusting each layer's tone to add highlights, shadows, and details.
For the 2D animation, we used path animation and applied a time expression to create a seamless loop.
loopOutDuration(type = "cycle", duration = 0)
Finally, we integrated all the elements in After Effects and enhanced the animation with explosion effects and music.
07
FINAL RESULTS & MOCKUP
Top 3: Initial animations by Deavon Goods, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
Bottom 3: Initial animations by Jay Zhou, refined by Jay Zhou and Deavon Goods
Mock up by Deavon Goods
There is a significant difference between group projects and solo projects, as consistent communication is essential. Despite having different class schedules, Deavon and I always find a suitable time to meet, making the project more efficient. We also try to leverage our respective strengths—Deavon focuses more on 3D, while I concentrate on design and 2D. This division of tasks allows us to work more effectively.
Deavon is a fantastic teammate. He’s always helpful and organized. Here is Deavon Goods' website: https://www.deavongoods.com/tampa