Mattel came to us with a unique project, we had to create images for boxes from toys that didn't exist. We were given artist's renderings of what the final kit would look like when assembled. The individual parts had been built in a solids modeling program, key word here is individual. A common file format had to be worked out and then all of the parts would be transferred over. Assembling one of these kits in real life can be a challenge. Take that same scenario and build it piece by piece in the computer, not only do you have to use the correct parts but you also have to make sure it has all the physical properties of the actual pieces that would be manufactured. Mattel supplied us with samples of the same material and colors of plastic to be used in the final product. Once we had a workflow established it was a lot of fun. We actually made some of our own vehicles and an animation for a proof of concept that we had pitched to Mattel for mini movie commercials that would raise the excitement level of owning the K'Nex kits.

Click here to see a close-up of the detail.