More Than a Game: How We’re Using Unreal Engine.
The Search for a Better Workflow
In the fast-paced world of digital media, there’s a constant demand for dynamic visual content. We’re all looking for that next-level visual that grabs attention and tells a story, but traditional 3D pipelines often come with significant hurdles. Long render times, a steep learning curve, and the need for powerful hardware can make quick turnarounds a serious challenge, especially for a small, remote team like ours.
This raised a central question for us: how can we produce high-end motion graphics more efficiently without compromising on quality or creativity? We needed a solution that would streamline our workflow and empower our entire team, not just our dedicated 3D artists.
The Unexpected Candidate: Unreal Engine
When you hear “Unreal Engine,” you probably think of cutting-edge video games and blockbuster films. It’s the tool that powers cinematic universes and immersive virtual worlds. We knew this, but our team is always exploring new possibilities. With a growing focus on virtual production, we decided to look at Unreal Engine not just as a game development tool, but as a potential solution to our workflow challenges. Could this powerful engine be practical for a multimedia agency focused on smaller-scale projects? We were curious to find out.
The Experiment: Putting It To The Test
While some of us already have some history with it, the rest are new to it. We began with a series of internal projects, all with one goal: to test the practicality and ease of use of Unreal Engine for small-scale applications. We wanted to see if it could be a viable tool for our day-to-day agency work.
While there’s plenty to learn, the core functions of Unreal Engine were incredibly intuitive. Our web developers and designers, who had little to no prior 3D experience, were able to pick up the tool and create engaging visuals. This was our “aha!” moment. This powerful software wasn’t just for specialized artists; it could democratize 3D creation for our entire creative team.
The Results: Practical Magic for Client Work
This internal experiment has already started to change the way we work. We’re not building full-scale video games or animated films; we’re creating small, impactful assets. Unreal Engine is allowing us to integrate 3D motion work directly into website designs and produce stunning short-form social content more quickly and efficiently than ever before.
For example, we’re now able to create simple product animations or visually rich backgrounds for client websites. This is a game-changer. What used to take days of rendering in a traditional pipeline can now be done in a fraction of the time, allowing us to deliver high-quality visuals on a faster schedule.
The Conclusion: A New Tool in Our Creative Arsenal
Unreal Engine has become a powerful, practical tool for our agency. It has opened up a new world of creative possibilities, allowing our entire team to contribute to the 3D process. The examples we have are not meant to blow anyone away, but they’re a proof of concept. If we can create something fun and visually pleasing in just 10 minutes, imagine what we can do with more time and resources.
We’re not just learning a new tool; we’re expanding our creative arsenal. It allows our diverse creative backgrounds to come together, empowering us to bring our imaginative ideas to life and show them to our clients with statements like, “You see that? That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
Want to see more of our work? Be sure to follow our social media accounts to stay updated on our latest projects.