Butterfly in flight

The butterfly in flight

This project explores the butterfly in flight as a study of motion, transformation, and adaptation. Symbolic of change and renewal, the butterfly becomes a metaphor for staying responsive to shifting environments—evolving alongside technology and trends in order to remain in motion within an ever-changing landscape.

The piece was developed as a focused technical study, refining skills in ZBrush sculpting, Substance Painter, and rigging. The animation incorporates time-ramping into slow motion and back, allowing subtle wing flex and deformation to be observed. High-speed reference footage was used to accurately capture the mechanics and timing of the wing movement.

Drawn by light and warmth, the butterflies gather on the illuminated side of the rock, reinforcing the relationship between motion, environment, and instinct through restrained, natural behaviour.