Lauren Neu's 2024 Portfolio

Hello There!

My name is Lauren Neu. I am 22 years old and passionate about exploring the unknown and trying new things. I enjoy animating bits and bobs of animation whenever I get the chance, whether a piece includes 3D renders, cel animations, or classic 2D keyframes. I love exploring the various animation styles the field of motion graphics offers.

I gravitated towards motion design due to the energy and spontaneity it conveys through captivating stories. Stories connect the world, and my goal is to tell stories through motion pieces that evoke a powerful emotional impact for viewers. Please enjoy this little demo reel of my work created at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Thank you!

The Bear Title Sequence

This recipe of design and animation for FX's The Bear title sequence was curated to fully encompass the calamitous themes of the show. The Bear is about an up-and-coming chef who returns home after his brother's sudden death and transforms the family sandwich shop into a fine dining establishment. The title sequence is an amuse-bouche of motifs that serve as an ode to the show and its setting, Chicago. From riding the L to perfecting plate settings, animating and designing alongside my colleague Stephanie Sandoval, we serve a beautiful yet gritty animation style like the show's colorful group of chefs served their signature dishes.

A Caketastrophe Was in the Making

This short film is a humorous personification of utensils in the argument of whether cake should be eaten with a fork or spoon. The two types of utensils of this critical cake debate fight in an imaginary bakery setting over who gets the glorious cake first. In the story, the chaos escalates as they become consumed by the desire for the cake, only realizing the mess they've made once a dog takes away their goal and causes the battling utensils grief over the destruction they left. This moment embodies the age-old feeling of not noticing the consequences of our actions until it's too late. However with that said, the story also shows that it's never too late to make peace as the forks and spoons ultimately reach a peace, showing that harmony is possible through forgiveness and unity.

In conclusion, this whimsical kitchen war story not only brings laughter and creativity to the debate of whether cake should be eaten with a fork or spoon in my imaginary world, but also leaves the viewer a thought-provoking question: is there a 'right' utensil for cake-eating? I encourage you to share your perspective in the comment section below!

Logo Resolves

These logo resolves serve as an ode to good branding and the power of short-form motion design pieces. The Domino's logo embodies the experience and joy of getting a pizza—opening a box and smelling/seeing the glorious pizza. However, serving the logo instead of the expected pizza in a creative design moment. The following 6-second logo, an animation for Delta Airlines, works to represent their company saying of, "Keep Climbing." The iconic sound of the seatbelt ding and the belt clicking together is a sign that embodies the highest you can climb in the sky of 32,000 feet. The clever, witty transitions of the logo turning into a suitcase rolling onto the Delta runway taking off, embodies the easy, breezy luxury experience Delta brings in each new journey for its busy travelers. 

Rebellions to Revelations Style Frames

Our journey repeats itself through art history. From the first spark of an idea to the final brushstroke, the path of an artist is universal. And yet, with every step, we push ourselves to greater heights, always striving for something new and exciting. From Prehistoric times and the Renaissance to the Contemporary world, our process mimics the masters who came before us. The goal of these style frames was to commemorate the history of passionate artistic mark-makers and celebrate the endless possibilities in the marks we have yet to make through beautiful lighting, 2D/3D Photoshop illustrative textures, and a color scheme that embody the passion and enlightenment each artist beholds. I collaborated with colleague Caitlin Crooker over the span of a few months to develop the branding, color scheme, and illustrative design style for this collection of beautiful style frames, which came together in a pitch deck for CoMotion 2024- SCAD's Motion Design Conference.  The full branding package can be seen here.

NYC Fashion Week Promo

As Taylor Swift says, "Welcome to New York!" This piece is an ode to New York Fashion Week with New York-inspired abstraction through textures galore. From the orange fabric that represents the youthful vibrance of the city to pretzel-like knits, pearlized traffic jams, patina art deco triangles, to pins making their mark in the Big Apple, it is an abstraction extravaganza. This 3D eye candy was an experiment of simulations, textures, and shaders in Cinema 4D & Redshift. Please enjoy it, as it's time for me to sashay away to go and keep playing in Cinema 4D.

One chapter closes, and another one begins!

Thanks for scrolling and seeing my work! These projects culminate some of the hard work, love, and dedication I have put into getting my Motion Media Design B.F.A. at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Thank you all who have been there to support me in my journey so far. I cannot wait for what happens next; it is only the beginning of a great story ahead.

If you are interested in more of my work, feel free to follow me @a.neu.design on instagram or visit www.laurenneu.com.