Overview

During my freelance period, I regularly took on creative commissions posted through Discord communities. One standout client approached me to animate their NFT profile image—adding depth and movement through a clean, looping rotation. The goal was to enhance the visual appeal of the NFT while retaining the character's original art style.

Creative Goals

The client wanted to bring their static profile image to life with subtle motion, emphasizing rotation and lighting dynamics to give it a premium, collectible feel. Since NFTs are often used as digital avatars, the animation needed to be eye-catching, professional, and loop seamlessly—perfect for use in social profiles, web displays, or marketplace listings.

My Role & Process

As the sole designer and animator on this project, I was responsible for interpreting the client's vision and turning a single static image into a dynamic asset. My workflow included:

• Asset Preparation – Cleaning and separating the artwork in Photoshop to isolate character elements and create a parallax-ready composition.
• Vector Cleanup – Refining edges and shapes in Illustrator for crisp resolution and motion-ready components.
• Motion Design – Animating in After Effects with a focus on smooth, continuous rotation, enhanced with depth cues like shadow shifts and subtle glows.
• Client Revisions – Sharing test loops and refining timing and effects based on client feedback.

Deliverables

• A fully looped MP4 animation (optimized for web and social use)
• GIF formats for profile and Discord integration

Tools Used

Photoshop • Illustrator • Adobe After Effects

Impact

The final animation elevated the NFT’s presentation, giving it a polished, animated layer that stood out across digital platforms. The client used the loop as their Discord and Twitter avatar, receiving attention within their community for the high-end look.

Reflection

This project was a fun exercise in mixing illustration with motion for personal branding. It pushed me to work independently, adapt quickly to feedback, and balance subtlety with visual flair—all under the unique constraints of freelance Discord work. Sadly, the client disappeared faster than the NFT market, but the work lives on. It became a strong portfolio piece and a solid reminder of the value of contracts and deposits in creative freelancing.

‍