the problem
The problem I observed is that Holiday décor tends to be static, decorative, and not designed for interactivity beyond display. In this spec project, I wanted to re-think the Christmas tree as something more playful, expressive, and customizable. The challenge was to turn a familiar seasonal icon into a character-driven object that invites play, rearrangement, and collection.
my role
To add an element of interactivity, I designed a modular plush system where each Christmas tree is a character with its own personality, color story, and decoratively styled layers. Each tree is built from stackable tiers that are attached with velcro and can be rearranged in different orders to create unique silhouettes, heights, and visual personalities. I explored form, facial expressions, and ornament variations to make each tree feel distinct while still part of a unified system.
the result
The final concept is a lineup of Christmas tree plush characters, each with their own personalities, that feel collectible, interactive, and customizable. By allowing the tiers to be rearranged, each plush becomes multiple designs in one, encouraging play and personalization. The system creates a scalable product line that blends character design with modular toy innovation, expanding a simple holiday icon into an engaging world of stackable plush friends.
Tools: Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, Maya
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Clif Kid ZBar
Director | Designer | Animator
Early Design Brainstorming
The NEIGHBOR team developed this spec spot for Clif Kid Zbar to explore a bold, character-driven direction for the brand. We created a 30-secondfully 3D animated spot. I helped shape the concept, developed the animatic, and contributed to character/prop design, animation, art direction, and final compositing. The result is a high-energy, mixed-media spot designed to capture the adventurous spirit of the product while showcasing our studio’s storytelling and animation capabilities.
Frasier's Final Design
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The NEIGHBOR team developed this spec spot for Clif Kid Zbar to explore a bold, character-driven direction for the brand. We created a 30-secondfully 3D animated spot. I helped shape the concept, developed the animatic, and contributed to character/prop design, animation, art direction, and final compositing. The result is a high-energy, mixed-media spot designed to capture the adventurous spirit of the product while showcasing our studio’s storytelling and animation capabilities.
3D Model
Modeled in Maya, Rendered in VRay
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The NEIGHBOR team developed this spec spot for Clif Kid Zbar to explore a bold, character-driven direction for the brand. We created a 30-secondfully 3D animated spot. I helped shape the concept, developed the animatic, and contributed to character/prop design, animation, art direction, and final compositing. The result is a high-energy, mixed-media spot designed to capture the adventurous spirit of the product while showcasing our studio’s storytelling and animation capabilities.
Construction Details
Handmade Prototype
Hangtag Design
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Clif Kid ZBar
Director | Designer | Animator
Market Research
The NEIGHBOR team developed this spec spot for Clif Kid Zbar to explore a bold, character-driven direction for the brand. We created a 30-secondfully 3D animated spot. I helped shape the concept, developed the animatic, and contributed to character/prop design, animation, art direction, and final compositing. The result is a high-energy, mixed-media spot designed to capture the adventurous spirit of the product while showcasing our studio’s storytelling and animation capabilities.
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A Whole Line of Stackable
This plush line features a cast of Christmas tree characters, each with its own distinct personality, decorations, and color palette. Every plush is made up of three or more stackable tiers connected with Velcro, allowing the pieces to be detached and rearranged to create entirely new tree friends. This interactive feature encourages creativity, adds replay value, and transforms the line from a traditional plush collection into a customizable play experience.
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