Bringing Google Blockly to life: 2D to isometric 3D motion design.
Google Blockly is an open-source visual programming tool that lets users build code by connecting drag-and-drop blocks instead of writing syntax. It makes coding more accessible and can translate visual programs into languages like JavaScript or Python.
The Challenge
In the run-up to the 2025 Blockly Summit, Google chose Buff to create a compelling event opener to welcome and engage attendees upon arrival, and to showcase it across multiple screens and visual assets throughout the event.
With roughly seven days of production time and a two-week full delivery window, the turnaround was tight. The work needed to honour Blockly's well-established 2D illustration style and sit comfortably within the wider Google aesthetic - all while delivering something genuinely memorable. The challenge was finding an approach that could meet the creative ambition within the time available.
The Solution
Blockly's illustrations live in an isometric world - flat by nature, but full of implied depth. Animating pseudo-3D visuals of this kind rarely yields the best results, so we made the decision early on to go fully three-dimensional. Every block from the illustration set was rebuilt in 3D, which gave us the freedom to animate without restriction and create a more immersive, considered result.
Working across Cinema 4D and After Effects, we developed a final-look storyboard for sign-off before moving into animation and delivery. The tight timeframe kept us focused, pushing us to be deliberate and efficient at every stage of the build and rendering process.
The Impact
The animation landed well with the team and the people in the room. Joe Davis, Learning and Product Innovation at Google, noted that it brought a level of polish that attendees expect from a Google event. It clearly resonated beyond the stage, too, with several participants using the animated backdrop as a photo spot after the awards.
"For how fast this moved and the fact we were establishing a direct relationship, this project exceeded expectations. You used your gut, made the right calls, and delivered something way better than what we would have had otherwise."
Next Project
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