Creating a 3D animation showing the process of Juno® Technology.
At The Picture House, we recently had the pleasure of collaborating with Juno - a company on a mission to revolutionise waste recovery. Their innovative approach transforms materials once deemed "unusable" into valuable resources, diverting up to 90% of processed materials from landfills and incinerators.
Juno approached us with a challenge: to communicate their recovery process in a clear, engaging, and visually compelling way through 3D animation. This project required us to develop a unique visual style, break down intricate technical details, and craft a script that effectively told their story.
Understanding the Process
The first step was gaining a comprehensive understanding of Juno’s sophisticated recovery process. Through multiple discussions with various members of the Juno team, we dissected each stage, identified key focus areas, and determined the level of detail needed to ensure clarity.
As we deepened our knowledge, we also began developing the animation’s visual style. Our goal was to balance aesthetics with digestibility while keeping budgets and timelines in check. After exploring different approaches, we landed on a tiled isometric style - a sleek and clean look that allowed us to clearly segment each part of the process while maintaining a premium feel.
With a rough script in place, we moved into Unreal Engine to create early 3D assets for storyboarding. This step was invaluable, providing both us and Juno with a tangible way to visualize the animation’s flow.
By investing time upfront in rough models and AI-generated voiceovers, we established accurate timing for each section, preventing time-consuming revisions later in production.
Building the 3D World
Once the script and overall journey were finalized, the team and SMOTION began crafting refined 3D models. A key component of Juno’s technology - the Juno Clave - was our starting point. Thanks to access to original engineering models, we had a solid foundation to build upon. We also placed special emphasis on fibre recovery and screening separation, as these were crucial elements Juno wanted to highlight in greater detail. Using real-world references, the team designed intricate models with moving parts to ensure a highly detailed and visually impressive depiction.
Refining the Animation
With the foundational elements in place, we proceeded to develop and refine assets for each tile and scene, continuously checking in with Juno to ensure alignment. A strong visual style and cohesive colour palette unified the animation, giving it a distinctive Juno identity.
As the animation took shape, we paid close attention to camera movements, lighting, and textures - ensuring the final piece not only looked stunning but also communicated the process with absolute clarity. The end result was a polished, premium animation that conveyed Juno’s mission with sophistication and impact.
Final Thoughts
This project was an exciting challenge that allowed us to flex our creative and technical muscles across multiple stages of production. Investing time in thorough pre-production was essential, enabling a smoother animation process and allowing us to focus on refining and elevating the final product rather than troubleshooting issues late in the timeline.
We are incredibly proud of the finished animation, and most importantly, so is Juno. The collaboration was a testament to the power of strong storytelling and thoughtful design in bringing complex technologies to life.
Check out the final edit below - we hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it!
A huge thank you to Juno for trusting us with this incredible project.
