GluStudios – Science meets Creativity

What are 3D digital billboards? Best examples of 3D billboards

Three-dimensional (3D) billboards are a unique form of advertising that creates an illusion of depth and perspective, making the image appear to be popping out of the billboard. Anamorphic billboards have been around for quite some time, but the use of 3D technology takes them to a whole new level of creativity and engagement.

Anamorphic billboards use a technique called anamorphosis, where a distorted image is stretched or compressed in such a way that it appears normal when viewed from a certain angle. The effect is achieved by painting the image on a flat surface at a specific angle, distorting it in such a way that it looks correct when viewed from a specific viewpoint.

These types of ads use a combination of clever design and printing techniques to create a 3D illusion that jumps off the page. In this blog, we will take a closer look at some of the best examples of 3D anamorphic print ads.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen used 3D anamorphic technology to create a print ad for their Golf GTI model. The ad featured an image of the car, with the illusion of the car appearing to pop out of the page. The ad was printed on a lenticular surface, which allows for multiple images to be printed on the same surface at different angles. As the viewer moved the ad, the 3D effect became more apparent.

anamorphic image which shares the same principle as 3D billboard

With the use of 3D technology, anamorphic billboards are taken to the next level by creating an even more realistic and impressive effect. By using 3D modeling software like blender, Cinema 4D etc designers can create a three-dimensional model and then distort it to the required angle. The final video is then showcased on a flat surface, typically LED screens, which is then installed on a billboard.

The end result is a stunning video that appears to be coming out of the billboard, grabbing the attention of passersby and creating a unique and memorable experience. The use of 3D technology also allows for greater creativity and customization, enabling designers to create even more complex and impressive illusions.

One notable example of a 3D anamorphic billboard is the one created by Coca-Cola in Times Square. The billboard featured a larger-than-life bottle of Coca-Cola that appeared to be bursting out of the billboard. The effect was achieved by creating a 3D model of the bottle, distorting it to the correct angle, and then printing it onto a vinyl surface. The end result was a striking and unforgettable advertisement that captured the attention of thousands of people.

In addition to their visual appeal, 3D anamorphic billboards also offer a number of practical benefits. They can be easily installed on existing billboards and require minimal maintenance, making them a cost-effective advertising solution. They are also highly versatile and can be used in a variety of settings, from busy city streets to remote rural areas.

Overall, 3D anamorphic billboards are a highly effective and innovative form of advertising that offer a unique and engaging experience for viewers. With the continued evolution of 3D technology, we can expect to see even more impressive and creative examples of this exciting form of advertising in the future.

Nike is a company that has always been at the forefront of innovative marketing techniques. One of their most impressive campaigns was the creation of a 3D anamorphic billboard that appeared to be popping out of the ground. The billboard was designed to promote Nike’s running shoe line and was displayed in various locations around the world.
The billboard featured a 3D image of a running shoe, with the illusion of the shoe appearing to be popping out of the box. The design was created using a combination of computer graphics and physical elements, with the shoe being modeled in 3D and then rendered onto a flat surface.

The end result was a stunning billboard that was both eye-catching and memorable. The 3D effect was so convincing that many people were tempted to reach out and touch the shoe. The billboard quickly went viral on social media, generating a lot of buzz and positive attention for Nike.

What made the Nike 3D anamorphic billboard so effective was its ability to create a sense of interaction between the viewer and the ad. The 3D effect made the shoe appear to be a tangible object, creating a sense of depth and realism that is often lacking in traditional billboards. This level of engagement is important in today’s advertising landscape, where consumers are increasingly skeptical of traditional forms of advertising.

In conclusion, Nike’s 3D anamorphic billboard was a prime example of how technology and creativity can be combined to create an effective and memorable marketing campaign. The use of 3D anamorphic technology allowed Nike to create a sense of interaction and engagement with their audience, resulting in a highly successful campaign that generated a lot of positive attention and buzz.

3D Anamorphic Billboards use stereopsis to create a perception of depth in the viewer’s mind resulting in 3D visuals. They project two images of the same object taken from two different angles corresponding to the distance between the spectator’s eyes. These images are displayed on specially curved screens for each eye to get a different image as you can see in the image.

However, the work doesn’t end there. In fact, the most important component of the three-dimensional experience is the content. It works in two layers. First, the hyper-realistic larger-than-life visual content just mesmerizes the viewer. Second, and more importantly, it reinforces the 3d immersive experience through the technique of ‘Forced perspective’.

 

Forced Perspective 

Forced Perspective is a technique to influence human visual perception by creating an optical illusion. In this, the size of the objects in the visuals is manipulated corresponding to the viewpoint of the passersby. This way the creator can force our brain to perceive the depth and distance of an object. 

One popular example of the forced perspective technique is the old movie scenes where creators put a toy dinosaur closer to the camera and actors stand a distance. With the proper use of camera angles and lighting, this setup makes the toy dinosaur appear much larger than the actors. 3D billboards use this technique along with the curved screen to add the third dimension of depth to the visuals. 

This results in captivating visual content that passersby would stop to watch, make a video to share on social media, and remember for a long time. That is why 3D billboards are one of the best ways to promote your business. The next section discusses the advantages the 3D billboard advertising to businesses.

forced perspective image of a sand bucket on a beach

Advantages: What makes 3D Billboards great for Advertising?

3D billboards deliver unparalleled advertising opportunities for businesses. Not only do they help in reaching a valuable audience in mass but do it authoritatively. Businesses showcasing themselves through 3D billboards are considered prestigious by the consumer which greatly contributes to their brand perception leading to higher sales. Let’s see the advantages one by one.

3D anamorphic Video Billboard in India

To create a 3D anamorphic video billboard, we would need to start with a high-quality 3D video that has been specifically designed and rendered to create the desired 3D effect. This video would then be mapped onto the curved screen that it is correctly aligned and distorted to create the 3D effect.

Unlike a static anamorphic billboard, a video billboard would also require specialized hardware and software to display the video content. At Glu, we use high end 3d animation softwares like blender and Cinema 4D.

We would also need to consider factors such as the location of the billboard, the viewing distance and angles, and the lighting conditions in order to ensure that the 3D effect is visible and impactful.

Overall, creating a 3D anamorphic video billboard in India would be a complex and technically challenging project, but with the right expertise and equipment, we can create a truly unique and attention-grabbing advertising experience for businesses and brands in India. You can refer to the video where we have created a 3D anamorphic billboard which was displayed abroad.

Video production process for 3D video is complex but it makes the DOOH advertising very effective. Your target audience will not just look at the billboard but also share it on the social media handles. That’s the power of anamorphic videos. 

Anamorphic video has emerged as a great tool for creating a brand visual Identity in 2023. So, if you’re planning on doing 3D anamorphic video consider it done with Glu Studios.