Personal

This project grew out of my interest in specialty coffee culture, where care and precision shape every step of the ritual. I set out to translate that sensibility into a longer, more cinematic sequence; one that could move through multiple shots and carry a narrative flow rather than sit in a single frame.

Narrative

The sequence illustrates the joy of a barista fully immersed in her craft: comfortable in her environment, in control, and genuinely enjoying her work. It highlights the atmosphere of a specialty coffee shop and the respect given to both product and process.

All of the animation builds toward a climax —the moment when the finished cup of coffee is revealed. The lights dim, the focus narrows, and the drink is presented almost like a completed work of art, held on screen for a few seconds of quiet appreciation.

Character design

The barista is a young millennial/Gen-Z character, grounded and happy in her job without pretension. Designing her was a balance: how to convey the café environment without slipping into “corporate branding.” She wears a cap, short hair, and a nose piercing, with just enough personality to feel authentic.

Set design

I researched visual references common to specialty cafés: the iconic La Marzocco-style espresso machine, signature cups and mugs, specialty coffee bags, nice tabletops full of visual astonishing food. These props became central to building a believable and detailed space.

Lighting

I wanted the sequence to carry the subtle gravity of a cinematic scene rather than the polish of a studio setup. The light itself became part of the narrative: consistent across shots yet subtly shifting, always guided by the dramatic tones of a late afternoon sun filtering through the café window: predominantly glowing orange hues contrasted with cooler, purplish tones in the background. Toward the end, the light gradually dims, and the final cup of coffee takes on the presence of a protagonist under a single spotlight.

Animation

I started with a test animation of the barista gently pouring milk into the cup, evoking calm and happiness. The character’s acting was designed to feel pleasant and gentle—soft, kind, almost ASMR-like to watch, as if you were observing someone doing something they truly love, with both delicacy and confidence. From there, the sequence evolved into a more complex set of actions. Interestingly, the camera movement came afterwards—the reverse of a typical workflow. Special thanks to Raúl Ibarra for developing the final performance and bringing the barista fully to life.

Latte art: Building up the moment

The biggest challenge of the sequence was to create latte art that felt convincing: a balance between stylization and realism. I wanted to avoid diving into complex fluid simulations, since that’s not part of my current skill set, and instead experimented with different approaches. The final result came from combining several techniques: splines, deformers, vertex groups, and volume meshers inside Cinema 4D, layered together to achieve the fluidity of milk swirling into coffee.

Thanks!