L
Luz Santana
LuzZID Dreaming
"LuzZID Dreaming" is a 3D world-building project based on a personal lucid dream. The goal was to translate the vivid feeling of riding an orca in a vast ocean into a stylized and tangible universe. Every element, from the character Lumi and her cozy bedroom to the ocean dreamscape itself, was designed, modeled, and textured from scratch.
The collection below features selected stills, material close-ups, and short motion studies that bring this gentle, dreamlike world to life.
Role & Scope
Art Direction,
3D Generalist
Tools
Cinema 4D (Standard Renderer), Premiere Pro, Photoshop
Year
Feb 2025 -May 2025
Concept:
Inspired by the warm, stylized aesthetic of animated films like Luca and Turning Red, the art direction for this project was driven by a single goal: create a world that feels gentle and cozy. I wanted to capture the warmth of a dream I didn't want to forget, grounding the surreal experience in a safe, inviting space.
The soft pastel palette, rounded forms, and soft lighting were all chosen to achieve this calm, hug-able atmosphere.
Process:
My workflow began with pre-visualization, using simple primitives to block out scenes and keyframing camera moves to establish the storyboard and final composition. With the layout set, I moved into asset creation. This involved meticulously modeling the environments and characters, and developing custom, stylized materials to fit the art direction.
Key technical explorations included using cloth simulation for the soft bedding and hair guides to create the plush shag rug and Lumi's hair. Final renders were then brought into Photoshop for color correction and finishing touches to achieve the desired dreamlike quality.
Lumi: Character Design & Modeling
The Dreamscape: Ocean & Orca
Bringing a Dream to Light
The final goal was to build a world that feels as warm and gentle as the memory of the dream itself, turning a fleeting moment into a place of comfort and wonder.
