Excited to share my incredible 2023 motion graphics reel with you all! Despite challenges like layoffs and file corruption, I've been grinding nonstop to level up my 3D game using programs like Cinema 4D, Redshift, After Effects, Duik, and Joysticks and Sliders. Join me on this inspiring creative journey, where the blending of human spirit and dedication sparks wonder. Let's break barriers and set new standards in motion design together. The future holds boundless opportunities. Let's go all in!

Below the Reel are some of the behind the scenes work/styleframes and gifs that did not make the cut of the reel for the purpose of keeping the Reel Short.

I am Bún, and I am Jon li, with over a decade of experience in Art Direction, Visual Design & Motion Graphics join forces to build Tides Unexplored. Like explorers, setting sail in search of new horizons, Tides Unexplored derives its mission from the belief that solutions come from curiosity, skill & passion for collaboration. Our client-centered approach prioritizes transparent communication & personalized attention with the ultimate goal of strengthening your brand.

Here are the behind the Scenes of the branding I helped bring to life. From Logo Design, Social Media Content, to promotional motion design.

Copywriting Collaboration by I am Bún and Jonathan Li

Logo Design Collaboration between I am Bún and Jonathan Li

Art Direction Collaboration between I am Bún and Jonathan Li

Motion Design done by I am Bún

Visual Design done by I am Bún

Photography done by I am Bún

3D Modeling/Lighting/Animation/Texturing done by I am Bún

Find out more at www.tidesunexplored.com

Was commissioned to create a Reel that included custom logo animations and sticker animations for this amazing artist named Marte (Martina Galarza).

Illustrations/video provided/music by Marte.

More on Marte's work here at martevisual.com/

Winner of Young Guns 21.

#designishope

In H2-22, I collaborated with SPOTIFY to create new versions of their Facebook Creative, aiming to drive lower CPRs while adhering to brand guidelines.

As the Motion Graphics Designer, along with Designer Javier Virula and Art Director Camilo Perdomo, we faced the challenge of managing extensive client feedback. However, we tackled this obstacle by developing low funnel ads with a consistent, strong call to action throughout the creative.

Our solutions showcased the power of motion graphics in driving engagement and optimizing performance on Facebook.

Motion Graphics Designer - Daniel Cruz

Designer - Javier Virula

Art Director - Camilo Perdomo

I took on the challenge of making Jarritos, a famous Mexican drink brand, more modern while still keeping its traditional feel. The first thing I did was redesign the logo to give it a fresh look, but I made sure to keep the recognizable Jarritos jar. I also created new typography that went well with the updated logo. It was really fun to incorporate Mexican symbols into the packaging design.

Working on this project made me remember how much I love redesigning brands. When I shared the final result on my Instagram, I was thrilled to see that the official Jarritos team from Mexico reposted it on their social media. It felt great to be recognized for my work, especially by the company itself.

The objective was to entice new gamers seeking immersive experiences in MMORPG Games. The challenge was to present New World as a game with a vast and captivating environment, showcasing its riveting landscapes and epic adventures in Aeternum.

As the Motion Graphics Designer on the team, I collaborated with Copywriter Danilda Estevez and Art Director Eli Schneider. Together, we crafted a series of videos that not only required video editing but also a motion graphics-driven approach.

I devised a captivating concept to display the intricate worlds and dynamic players in a visually engaging and fun way. Collaborated with the New World team to provide game play footage in order to get the sense of raw game play. The goal was to captivate players' interest and draw them into the immersive world of New World.

Working on this project was an exciting opportunity to combine my motion graphics skills with video editing, delivering a unique and compelling experience for gamers.

In a dynamic collaboration between Go Forward and Smartly, I had the exciting opportunity to contribute as a Motion Graphics Designer. Together, we repurposed footage for social media testing, exploring innovative motion solutions and creating captivating end card animations.

Leading the charge, I brought the client's vision to life with a series of behind-the-scenes concepts. Though we ultimately pursued a simpler approach, the process was filled with joy and experimentation, pushing the boundaries of creativity. I thrive on crafting visually impactful designs that leave a lasting impression. Working closely with Art Director Nick Patten, we fostered a seamless workflow and achieved exceptional results.

This project reaffirmed my expertise in motion graphics and my ability to adapt to diverse creative requirements. It was an inspiring experience that further fueled my dedication to delivering outstanding visual experiences.

During my time at Deloitte Digital, I had the opportunity to work as the sole Motion Designer. This allowed me to take on a range of responsibilities and bring a dynamic energy to creative projects. From shaping the artistic direction to giving life to written content through writing, voice recording, and crafting engaging illustrations, I poured my passion into each task. Despite limited resources, I was able to overcome challenges, meet deadlines, and deliver high-quality work.

Efficiency played a crucial role in managing my responsibilities. I carefully planned and coordinated tasks, ensuring smooth workflow and effective time management. Working closely with the team, we collaborated to optimize communication and create a harmonious working environment that enhanced our collective efforts.

Being the only motion designer, I embraced the opportunity to wear different hats and contribute to the depth and vibrancy of the projects. I applied my skills to curate visually appealing and captivating animations, breathing life into each frame. Through resourcefulness and innovation, I was able to work around limitations and deliver impressive results.

The experience of being a versatile motion designer was both challenging and rewarding. I enjoyed adapting to dynamic environments and pushing the boundaries of my abilities. With each project, I aimed to engage the audience through visually appealing animations. Through dedication and skill, I established myself as a reliable professional in the field of motion graphics, where my work left a lasting impact...

Skills: Adobe Media Encoder · 3D Animation · Critical Thinking · Design · Social Media · Animation · 3D Rendering · Motion Graphics · After Effects · Graphic Design · Illustration · Advertising · Logo Design · copywriting · Storyboarding · 2D Animation

Back in 2012 I entered a Logo contest at Talenthouse for one of my favorite bands that had people around the world compete. As luck would have it, I ended up winning. Even though the original design I designed was modified after the bands feedback we came up with the logo before you. Logo was used in live concerts, merch, tv spots etc. Ever since winning this competition then, it opened the Graphic Design world to me and led me into the world of animation years later. It was a moment where I felt how incredible it felt seeing your work appreciated by so many. Amazing to see they still use it till this day in some shape or form. Spotted in their video “circles”.

Figured it was time to pay tribute to how it all started so I recreated the logo design I made into full 3D drawing inspiration from their "satellite" cover but with hints of their new style.

Animation Tribute - P.O.D - made by Daniel Cruz using Cinema 4D. Music by P.O.D - Fly Away, from their new album "Circles"

Photography by Alexeymakhov.com

Youtube videos and Links are shared to show they still use the logo in some shape or form in their Live concert setups/merch.

In the past two years at Smartly, I’ve worked on templatizing work for Uber and Uber eats. Wearing the hat of character animater, and branding animator. Working with Uber was always a joy, and I poured my creativity into bringing their to life through dynamic animation. The experience was incredibly exciting and allowed me to push the boundaries of motion graphics, infusing the characters, live footage, with energy and personality. These ads ran in the North America, EMEA, APAC and Latin America.

Animation by Daniel Cruz, also known as I am Bún.

Copywriter - Danilda Estevez

Senior Designers - Jessica Sedeno - Emily Rose

Art Director - Sharon Romang - Camilo Perdomo

During my time at NJAM, I had the privilege of working with impressive brands such as Autoparts, Six Flags, Atticare, and NJ.com, where I specialized in creating top-notch motion graphics. From crafting high-quality 2D textures to rigging captivating characters and fine-tuning motion capture, my expertise brought projects to life. I also excelled in producing compelling explainer videos and dynamic YouTube commercials.

My exceptional skills and creativity earned me the esteemed first-place recognition for Best Digital Ad at the NJPA Advertising Spring Awards Celebration in April 2017. Establishing and nurturing strong relationships with designers, vendors, and key clients was key to fostering trust and collaboration throughout the process.

With an unwavering commitment to excellence, I developed innovative design themes that played a vital role in successful marketing campaigns. Leveraging cutting-edge software like Cinema 4D and the Adobe Creative Cloud, I delivered visually captivating and engaging content, leaving a lasting impact on audiences.

Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, I ensured seamless project alignment and timely execution, resulting in outstanding outcomes. My achievements were further bolstered by my strong attention to detail, exceptional time management abilities, and continuous pursuit of learning to stay on top of industry trends.

In addition to my motion graphics expertise, I brought a range of complementary skills to the table, including critical thinking, graphic design, illustration, copywriting, logo design, and 2D animation. With a passion for pushing creative boundaries and a track record of delivering exceptional results, I thrive in fast-paced and dynamic environments.

I had the opportunity to work with esteemed brands such as Uber, Doordash, Amazon, Proactiv, Spotify, Klar.mx, and New World. My expertise centered around Cinema 4D, Adobe After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma.

I assisted clients in developing captivating visual strategies for their digital advertising campaigns. Collaborating closely with directors and senior designers, I streamlined the handoff process between designers and motion artists, ensuring smooth project delivery, consistent file naming, and clear project goals.

I took pride in mentoring junior motion staff from our Guatemalan and Finland teams, helping them grow and refine their skills. Typography played a pivotal role in my motion designs, enabling me to create impactful visuals.

Additionally, I conducted animation tests and created custom templates to support our software engineers in developing in-house video editing solutions.

To sum up, my experience involved working with renowned brands, utilizing top-notch software, guiding clients in visual strategies, collaborating with senior designers, mentoring junior talent, and leveraging powerful typography in motion designs.

Skills: Adobe Media Encoder · 3D Animation · Critical Thinking · Design · Social Media · Animation · 3D Rendering · figma · Motion Graphics · After Effects · Cinema 4D · Graphic Design · Illustration · Advertising · Logo Design · Storyboarding · 2D Animation

By redefining the creative direction and implementing a strategic approach for dynamic ads focusing on Sports, Theater, and Music events, SeatGeek achieved remarkable outcomes. Within a month of launching these ads on Facebook and Instagram, SeatGeek witnessed a remarkable 170% boost in Lifetime Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) and an impressive 1.5X increase in purchases compared to other event-specific creatives running simultaneously.

With the Motion the client wanted something simple that would loop and be engaging at the same time. The final result is the solution I came up with to make things dynamic for throughout all the platforms. Two animations to use dynamically with various copy.

Creative Director - Sharon Romang

Art Director - Camilo Perdomo

Motion Designer - Daniel Cruz

Having no experienced in 3D, I wanted to push myself in picking the hard task of modeling up the Arwing, and fly Course and went to work in bringing a mini training corneria world for fox. A combination of C4D And AE to bring it all together. Go big or go home right? lol

Music was provided free to use by ToxicXEternity. (educational purposes only)

All Sounds were recreated to mimic StarFox Rob64 though https://lingojam.com/RobotVoiceGenerator

I do not own the rights to Nintendo. This was just to pay homage to the franchise I love and educational purposes.

During my time at Smartly.io, I had the pleasure of working closely with Graham Prentice, a talented Senior Visual Designer. Together, we tackled numerous projects, including exciting collaborations with Doordash.

Our dynamic partnership allowed us to deliver exceptional results on time, earning praise for our seamless teamwork. We brought the Doordash brand to life through captivating illustrations and engaging motion graphics. Our shared passion and strong working relationship were instrumental in our success.

Senior Visual Designer - Graham Prentice

Motion Graphics Designer - Daniel Cruz, aka I am Bún

Copywriter - Danilda Estevez

I wanted to pay homage to Dreamcast from Sega. The system that got me excited about videogames growing up. From playing Crazy Taxi, Soul Caliber, Sonic Adventures etc it opened my imagination to creativity and helped in the pursuit of finding my passion for Design/Animation.

I modeled everything in C4D and did post work in After Effects.

Music was a combination of sounds from premium beats free downloads and sounds by Adobe CC.

2020 will forever be known as the year where chaos stormed the world with covid19. With recent updates of the world hitting the 1Million mark we cant forget that 200K+ is still on the rise here in the United States. As adults we have to tackle this as careful and responsible for everyones sake especially for the youth that look up to us.

I wanted to create something fun but with some responsibility in the message. The character Baby Mel, is inspired by my niece Melanie who misses school and has to adapt to online schooling here in NJ. She's a smart little 5 Year girl that only wants to protect everyone against covid especially grandma she says. So i made her a superhero character that fights covidhead with her state of the art soap machine shooter in this 8bit videogame shooting style animation.

Sounds were a combinations of Adobe Free sounds and freesounds.org

Vidsy is the creative technology engine powering mobile video ad creation for the world’s leading brands.

During my time at Vidsy I played many hat’s from Art Direction, Video Editor, and Motion Graphics Designer. As a motion designer in the NYC Team, we were mostly acting editors and rarely asked to create original content but when the opportunity introduced itself I took full advantage of my creativity. Here are just a few of the animations I created for them!

These were fun to make given limited files that consisted of live footage video. I was tasked to create a fun more impactful take that wasn’t replicating the live footage work. So I came up with these two solutions that the client ended up liking and moved forward with. Multiple text variations were used but this was the originals I created for them.

Advance Auto Parts wanted to maximize the relevance of existing creative with additional creative design solutions.

Advance Auto Parts are the only aftermarket auto parts retailer that provides same day delivery within 3 hours and in-store pickup within 30 minutes.

Ads ran in conjunction with an existing Advance Same Day Campaign (Testing Performance)

Motion Graphics Designer - Daniel Cruz

Art Director - Camilo Perdomo

I wanted to play around with #midjourneyai and see what I could come up with. It’s safe to say it became addicting really quick. I can just imagine the possibilities that can be created with this evolution of design. The growing fear of being replaced is something I keep hearing about this AI technology but I see it more of a tool for those to get to the final idea quicker. I’ll definitely be playing around with this more in the near future!

The first set of AI images I created with midjourney were the battle of Mexica before the inevitable colonization of Europe. I wanted to see how the battle would look in a cinematic way specifically in Zack Snyders style. I had many versions to mess with that showed the king Cuauhtemoc standing heroically against soldiers even if he was out numbered. I was amazed at the quality that it created.

The last set of pieces I wanted to see how an Aztec Jedi would look and it’s everything I ever dreamed about. Hopefully George Lucas gets a hold of this and adds it to the future Star Wars family haha.

After being captivated by Zack Snyder's Justice League and the incredible design of Steppenwolf, I was inspired to pay homage to DC comics and Zack Snyder's vision. I embarked on a thrilling journey to recreate Steppenwolf in a 2D world while staying true to the dominating essence of the original 3D design. This project was all about fun and my humble contribution to the restoration of the Snyder Verse.

Using a combination of sketching and Adobe Illustrator, I meticulously crafted a version of Steppenwolf that truly resonated with me. With great anticipation, I prepared the character for animation in Adobe After Effects.

To add a personal touch, I even lent my voice-over talents to the project. It was an exhilarating experience to see Steppenwolf come to life in this 2D adaptation.

In the process, I utilized the power of motion graphics plugins such as Duik and JoySticks & Sliders for efficient rigging. The rest of the magic was purely crafted using After Effects, showcasing the versatility of the software.

Join me on this exciting journey as we explore the world of Steppenwolf in a fresh, dynamic perspective. Enjoy!

Note: This project is purely fan-made and intended as a creative tribute. All rights and credits belong to their respective owners.

During my time with Vidsy, I had the exciting opportunity to work on a project with Doritos. As one of their lead motion designers, I was tasked with creating motion graphics that would make an impact. This involved one impactful animation and two simpler animations that maintained consistency. Collaboration with the Vidsy team and the copywriter from Doritos was crucial in keeping the concept and messaging simple, focusing on the power of motion.

Once the styleframes were approved and the copy was finalized, I delved into animating. The final animations turned out to be dynamic and engaging, with each one having its own unique energy while still maintaining a cohesive look and feel. The animations were designed to stand out on various social media platforms, with text elements incorporated to test different copies.

Balancing simplicity and impact was a challenge, but with iterations and feedback, we achieved the desired outcome within the Vidsy project. Working with Vidsy was a pleasure, and I'm proud of the final animations we created together for Doritos. It's always fulfilling to see the client's vision come to life and know that the animations will be shared and enjoyed by their audience.

The Vidsy project provided an excellent platform to showcase my skills in motion graphics and art direction. I'm grateful for the experience and look forward to future creative challenges, whether they come through Vidsy or other brands I have the opportunity to work with.

I took this opportunity to recreate my 2d Logo intro into actual full 3D with what I learned at C4D Basecamp with School Of Motion. Although I would consider this still in progress. Wanted to share some behind the scenes on how the process of this logo animation is coming along.

Welcome to MEXIHCAH 307 BC.

Music by Faberge - Pipes at Dawn.

2020 Motion Reel by Daniel Cruz.

Follow me at instagram.com/__iambun__

iambun.com

Music by Teat Time - Forgotten Tapes.

"When the world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful"

As the elections come closer, we must not forget what's really at stake when choosing our next presidential candidate. This isn't about being faithful to one party or the other. Its about choosing a president who sees you as a civilian...the right thing to do...not a president who sees your relatives as collatoral damage during an epidemic that couldve been avoided since January. The United states needs a president who believes in compassion, science, equal education, women's rights and ending systemic racism. Early Voting is currently happening or you can show up November 3rd. We need to vote for Change. If Malala can survive an attempt to her life for education...we can stand up in numbers and unite against oppression.

For Creative purposes Only.

If interested in buying the shirts or canvas.. Click here!

https://society6.com/product/hope655861_t-shirt?sku=s6-7481314p15a4v104a5v20a11v50

Costa Chica is that one Mexican restaurant you grow up with. Where the food brings memories of your childhood. Tacos that will make your mouth watery for days. I wanted to give it a modern look but with hints of Mexico with the texturing of the building. Modeled the builiding in C4D as well as small animations within. Went into Illustrator to create a simplified Logo. Then brought it into AE to bring it all together in post.

Music by Bandera Mexicana

by Harpo Marks

Who isnt a fan of dribbble right? I wanted to create a custom throwback invite to send to post on the site so I created this cool 90’s vibe 3d Render in C4D.

I’ve always been in love with Black & White photography. In my spare time I like to experiment with different angles and even get up close and personal to capture candid shots.

Logo has been modified in 2022 prior to this design but will show my thinking skills behind branding.

Will keep this up for now to show the process of my old logo design.

Welcome to the world of Forgotten Truth. 

My name is Daniel Cruz and this is the next chapter in my artistic evolution. The nickname Bún was given to me at birth. In my family, in our culture, nicknames are often more personal than names themselves. This is why I chose to include it in my rebrand. My work is my passion and my passion is personal. The name Bún has an Aztec sound that compliments my iconic Aztec-inspired eagle. Merging the two together feels meant to be. My past empowers my future; that is my forgotten truth. I am driven. I am inspired. I AM BÚN!

Daniel Cruz aka I AM BÚN
Art Director - Motion Designer

Welcome to the world, of the forgotten truth. I AM BÚN!

Latest compilation of personal and professional motion design projects, enjoy !

Portfolio : iambun.com

Follow me on
Instagram : instagram.com/__iambun__
Dribbble : dribbble.com/iambun
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/daniel-cruz-439807ba/

Music by Triston Barton - From the Earth We are Born

Below are some styleframes with work in the reel, and some that are currently in progress of animation that didn’t make the cut.

Thanks for watching :D

Parallel - is a tribute to very close friends at Robert Busch School of Design at Kean University. 

With the power of graphic design, photography, and motion graphics, Rooted helps to tell the story of undocumented America through the eyes of the children that live it.

Ollin Fitness (Meaning Movement, earth shaking or change) is a gym that teaches meditation, weight lifting and self growth, for the opportunity to have a consistent healthy lifestyle in and out the gym. Ollin fitness is the journey of self discovery.

Storyboard concept for Fox's Urban Freestyle : Tokyo Throwdown

My logo design's have a clean and geometric style to them, thanks to the Golden Ratio Rule. Depending on what the client's needs, I'm able to create their vision into reality. 

I wanted to pay tribute to my favorite players of the Mexican National Team for their outstanding performance in the Gold Cup 2015, so I created low poly design posters in their name.

I was commissioned to Direct, Film, and Edit my brother's proposal video. Applejax is a nickname my brother always calls his now fiancé.

I was responsible for helping the Art Supervisor generate and execute ideas for creative concepts from design through finished product. Password to View Motion Project :cruzdan1

Concept Ideas for Red Bank's Ad Campaign while assigned at Spit-ball Agency in Red Bank NJ. Some of the work I've worked on, while freelancing through The Creative Group.

Photoshop and Illustrator (Photo-Manipulation)

Always remember the Humble days.

Back in the early 2000s, I was working at a data entry position to help pay for College. Before my career in design began or even knew it existed, in between calls I would open up PAINT…yes….PAINT. Paint was an old drawing program built in every PC known during that time (For those too young to know). I would doodle around just to try and stay awake. Learning to draw with just a mouse was difficult but eventually I got the hand of it (thank god for pen tablets now!) I ended up creating a folder where I saved all my drawing and a coworker found it. We ended up having drawing competitions between me and him. At first I started out with small ideas that later became even crazier. Eventually the company I worked for got shut down and people got let go. I have forgotten about these because I thought these drawings were gone forever until my old coworker reached out through email and sent these over. He ended up saving our drawings but couldn’t reach me until he found me on instagram. Before I knew photoshop or any adobe programs….PAINT was my starting point. To think, my future was knocking way before I found out about Graphic Design/Motion Graphics.