fornite fncs 22 — Brandon Lee Smith | Designer & Art Director

Fortnite FNCS 2022

Role: 3D Designer
Creative Director: Loren Judah
Art Director: Sam Surtandi
Design Lead: Daniel Beaton
Producer:Trevor Steadman
Animators: Brendan Hahn, Dakota Hopkins

When We Are Royale took on the comprehensive redesign of the Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) graphics package, I served as a primary 3D designer. My core focus was look development, specifically conceptualizing and crafting the striking chromatic metal and glass textures used throughout the broadcast. Additionally, I supported the broader design pipeline by contributing to the layout, icon development, and animated transitions.

Early Development // 01

Early styleframe development - responsible for two different directions, Liquid Metal and Chroma Ray (Holographic)

Chromatic Metal // 02

We eventually landed on the chromatic metal motif, which allowed us to develop various 3d patterns and use handcrafted HDRI's to create a color spectrum that could evolve over the course of the year. I helped refine the new logo and modelled/textured the final look. These patterns and colors would then be used as design elements throughout the entire package. I developed a lot of different assets for patterns and helped RnD HDRI developement.

Logo // 03

I worked on developing the design of the logo with the design lead. When the 2D logo was established I worked on the 3d model, texturing, and lighting. The HDRI’s we developed would be used as a system across all the 3D assets along with the patterns.

Glass Look Development // 04

We also started to incorporate fractured glass as a way of breaking up, or transitioning between elements. We also liked the idea of the desgin feeling broken/dismantled/dissembled in the early stages of the tournament - but solidifying as you reached the final rounds. The glass motif was used heavily in the main opening sequence which I designed.