Animated product overview video for access management platform, Ory. Produced, designed and animated by Dreaming Fish Productions.
Ory | A 2D and 3D SaaS animation
When Ory came to us to create an animated product overview, the brief was exciting for a few reasons. It was our first fully animated project together, and it was also the first time Ory had produced a full animation piece of this kind. So the bar was high from day one.
They already had a distinctive visual style built around their software product stack: a clean, layered 3D structure made up of flat geometric blocks. They wanted the animation to feel like a natural extension of that world, not a departure from it. At the same time, they were working towards a launch and did not have the luxury of a long pre-production schedule. That combination shaped the entire approach: create something premium, accurate and on-brand, while being smart with time, budget and production effort.
The challenge
Ory wanted an animated product overview that reflected its existing visual identity and clearly communicated the value of its platform. The animation needed to look polished and precise, whilst telling a story. Because Ory operates in the access management space, the video could not just be a showcase of a product stack.
It needed to frame the problem first, speak to prospective customers’ pain points, and position the platform as the solution. The visual direction was already established, which helped. But that also meant there was little room for experimentation. The 3D stack had to be recreated faithfully so it matched Ory’s existing brand assets and could be animated freely, with full control over camera, movement and composition.
Our approach
Rather than using 3D throughout the entire video, we recommended a hybrid 2D and 3D animation approach. We proposed using 2D animation at the start to set the scene, introduce the problem and build narrative momentum. Then, once that story foundation was in place, we would reveal the product in 3D; as the answer. That mattered for two reasons:
- First, it created a stronger narrative structure. Instead of showing the product immediately, the video builds to it, which gives the reveal more purpose and impact.
- Second, it was the right production decision. Using 3D only where it added the most value, allowed us to focus time and budget where it would be felt most.
That balance is important in animation projects like this. Good creative decisions are not just about what looks impressive. They are about what best serves the story, the schedule and the client’s goals.
Building the 3D world
Because Ory wanted the animated product overview to align closely with its existing product imagery, we recreated the product stack in Cinema 4D so it matched the original asset as closely as possible. That gave us total control over the forms, lighting, angles and motion. More importantly, it meant the hero shot would feel consistent with Ory’s wider brand ecosystem, rather than looking like a separate interpretation. The 3D reveal became the centrepiece of the video. A clean, controlled product moment designed to give the platform visual presence and make the solution feel tangible.
Storyboarding under tight timelines
With the launch approaching, speed mattered. Once the 2D and 3D styleframes were approved, we moved to storyboard development. For the 3D sections, producing polished stills for a traditional storyboard would have taken a large amount of time. In reality, by the time those frames were built well enough to present, a substantial chunk of the animation work would already have been done. So, we made a more efficient call. We hand-drew the storyboard and presented it over video call, talking Ory through the movement, transitions, pacing and intent scene by scene. It was faster, clearer and a far better use of production time. For the 2D scenes, we designed the visuals more fully, so the storytelling and graphic style were properly defined before animation started. That process helped us move quickly without losing clarity or alignment.
Production workflow
Once the script and storyboard were signed off, we recorded the voiceover. That allowed us to animate to real timings from the beginning, which always leads to a tighter and more natural final video. From there, we shared weekly work-in-progress edits throughout the process. Keeping communication open was essential. On a fast-moving animation project, regular WIP (work in progress) reviews help avoid surprises, keep approvals moving, and ensures everyone stays confident in the direction.
Additionally, we also added music into the work-in-progress versions early, so Ory could get a proper feel for the tone and rhythm of the piece, rather than waiting until the end to experience it fully. Once the full animation was complete, we worked through minor feedback and final refinements. When the timings were locked, we added sound design to finish the piece properly. Those final sound effects gave the animation extra texture, energy and personality, helping it feel more dynamic and polished overall.
The result
The final animated product overview gave Ory exactly what they needed. A video that looked aligned with their brand, made the platform feel premium, and explained the product with more clarity and impact. By combining 2D storytelling with a focused 3D product reveal, we created an animation that was visually distinctive, strategically structured and achievable within a tight schedule. It is also a strong example of how the best animation work is not about throwing every technique at a project. It is about using the right techniques in the right places to make the message clearer, the reveal stronger and the budget work harder.
