HSBC, a leading global financial institution, sought to establish a visual presence in the Metaverse as a proof of concept, commissioning a captivating visual design and animation for The Sandbox platform. This project involved intricate 3D conceptualization and motion graphics to create a compelling press teaser for global announcements and social media.
Context
As one of the first global banks to enter the Metaverse, HSBC needed a high-impact visual asset that could transcend the novelty of the platform and communicate sophisticated brand initiatives. The design challenge was to translate abstract concepts—such as global sports sponsorships, sustainability commitments, and wellness programs—into a detailed, immersive, and recognizable isometric virtual landscape. The final output needed to generate widespread press coverage while delivering significant value compared to traditional agency costs.
Date Completed:
Mar 2022
Role:
Graphic Designer, Animator
Involvement:
Island Layout Design, Isometric Illustration, Asset Modeling, Social Media Video Production
Overview
The strategic decision was to create a bespoke “HSBC Island” using the distinct voxel/isometric aesthetic of The Sandbox, ensuring the brand was instantly recognizable within the virtual environment. I anchored the design around high-profile brand elements—specifically the HSBC Lions and a stunning, logo-shaped Rugby Sevens Stadium . The primary goal was to create an entire micro-world that visibly highlighted their key brand initiatives.
Challenge
The most demanding aspect of the project was the high-fidelity recreation of HSBC’s diverse real-world initiatives within the technical and aesthetic constraints of the Metaverse’s isometric design. This required meticulous attention to detail in the modeling of complex elements like the stadium and the faithful representation of brand assets (the Lions, logo) in voxel form . The subsequent creation of a social media video required cinematic animation of the static isometric island, adding an extra layer of motion graphics complexity to the design.
Solution
I designed a comprehensive virtual island incorporating key elements:
- The HSBC Lions – Included throughout the design, symbolizing the bank's heritage and global presence.
- Rugby Sevens Stadium – Modeled in the shape of the iconic HSBC logo to highlight their long-standing association with sports.
- Sustainability Visualization – A representation of the Clean Waterways Programme was incorporated to showcase the commitment to environmental sustainability. The resulting key visual was then animated into a compelling social media video that dynamically showcased the various zones, providing a clear glimpse into the potential immersive experience.
Results
This internal production effort successfully saved the bank an estimated $15,000 in external agency production costs and the captivating visual, featuring the meticulously designed Sandbox island, effectively generated immense excitement around HSBC’s potential Metaverse presence. The visual design transcended expectations, garnering widespread coverage online in news outlets across the globe, positioning HSBC as a thought leader at the forefront of this emerging technology. The success validated the in-house creative approach and resulted in significant organizational savings.
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