Nomad

Animation for Reraner

The mechanical design in the video combines a mechanical structure with natural materials, moving away from the typical use of metal. This approach represents a future city that values nature, aiming for harmony between humans and the environment. The design avoids the coldness of traditional machinery, bringing a sense of vitality that engages the audience and enhances their immersive experience. The seamless blend of organic and mechanical elements evokes a feeling of balance, inviting viewers into a world where technology and nature coexist in perfect harmony.

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Nomad by Yetong Xin and Muwen Li

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Animation by Yetong Xin and Muwen Li

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Yetong Xin and Muwen Li Nomad

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Yetong Xin and Muwen Li Animation

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Reraner Brand Logo

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Unique Properties

The mechanical design in the video has a unique style: while it retains a mechanical structure, it primarily uses natural materials instead of metal. Through this nature inspired mechanical approach, the design aims to portray a human city that values nature, reflecting a vision for future cities—harmony between humans and the environment. This design breaks away from the coldness of traditional machinery, giving it a sense of vitality that resonates with the audience and enhances their immersive experience.

Tags

animation, nature, scifi, emotion, future

Production Technology

First created design sketches and storyboards in Photoshop, then modeled in Blender. Used Cinema4D for scene building, animation, rendering, and simulations, and finally composited everything in After Effects. The character movements were captured using motion capture technology.

Design Challenge

The challenge was how to create a worldview that respects nature in the context of a high tech future. Many futuristic films, such as those with cyberpunk aesthetics, often depict highly mechanized cities, which conflict with the message of nature conservation the project aimed to convey. To address this issue, multiple discussions were held, ultimately leading to the adoption of a biomimetic approach, designing a city that embodies advanced technology while coexisting harmoniously with nature.

Project Duration

The project started in September 2023 in MIT Media Lab in Boston and finished in January 2024, and was exhibited in Brooklyn Film Festival, D ARCH Film Festival, A plus D museum in Los Angeles, and METAXIS plus PROMPT Festival in Budapest in 2024.

Operation Flow

This animation uses a widescreen cinematic aspect ratio, and the music is highly aesthetic. It is best suited for viewing in a completely dark environment, such as a cinema, with a large screen or projector. The audience will experience an immersive and ultimate audiovisual experience.

Research

This project originated from MIT Media Lab's City Science Group research on Amazonian tribes, focusing on the Amazon rainforest's decline due to human activity. Collaborating with scholars and urban designers, the team explored the tribes' beliefs, such as shamanism and totems. Their findings suggest that future Amazonian tribes may continue to respect nature and build cities that harmonize with the environment, shaping the film's worldview and production.

Inspiration

This scifi animation short was created in 2023, with a focus on environmental protection. By 2024, due to urban expansion, the forest cover in the eastern Amazon had decreased by 31 percent. This inspired the project to reflect on how humans should coexist harmoniously with nature in the future. The concept envisioned a city capable of moving freely; when a location can no longer sustain human activity, it would transport the Amazonian tribes to new habitable areas, achieving a dynamic balance of natural resources.

Project Overview

Nomad Animation has been a Silver winner in the Movie, Video and Animation Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Image Credits

For design images and photos please credit Yetong Xin and Muwen Li.

Silver Recognition

Yetong Xin and Muwen Li was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Nomad Animation.

Yetong Xin and Muwen Li Newsroom

Discover outstanding design and award-winning initiatives in the Yetong Xin and Muwen Li Newsroom.