Interview about Thorn Metamorphosis Product Animation, winner of the A' Movie, Video and Animation Design Award 2025
Thorn Lighting transforms nature's sharpest form, the thorn, into a modern design object that embodies the balance between hard and soft, light and shadow. Inspired by nature's metamorphosis, this lighting symbolizes strength, resilience and spiritual growth through adversity. The design blends raw, organic edges with industrial lines, reflecting the beauty and hope found in challenges. A cinematic experience was created using Houdini, Redshift, and advanced simulation techniques to visually represent this transformation, blending the wild spirit of nature with modern aesthetics.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe idea of metamorphosis was not just a theme; it was the essence of how we approached the entire project. We wanted to express how something defensive and raw, like a thorn, could evolve into an object that gives light and warmth. Throughout the process, we treated every step as part of that transformation: shaping forms, adjusting the rhythm of growth, finding a balance between chaos and refinement. The animation became a reflection of change itself, both in nature and in us as creators.
Working with Houdini and Redshift gave us the freedom to move between two worlds: the organic and the industrial. We were constantly negotiating between technical precision and emotional depth. Nature doesn’t follow strict geometry, and yet design often demands it. Finding harmony between those two principles was the real challenge. We approached every scene like a living sculpture, allowing the software to simulate natural behavior while guiding it with a designer’s intuition.
Thorns have a special meaning for us. They represent both fragility and strength, pain and protection. Choosing them as the central element felt honest because beauty in nature is rarely soft or perfect. We wanted the audience to sense that contrast: the tension at the beginning, the sharpness, and then the gradual release into light. In the end, the story isn’t just about a product; it’s about resilience and the quiet power that comes from transformation.
Animating the shift from organic forms to industrial geometry was like choreographing two very different dancers. Nature moves unpredictably, while industrial design demands control. To merge them, we built procedural systems that could breathe, expand, and then slowly crystallize into precise forms. Keeping this transition visually seamless required patience. We adjusted every movement until it felt like one continuous gesture rather than a mechanical change.
We wanted the animation to feel cinematic, almost like a short film rather than a presentation. Using anamorphic cameras helped us achieve that sense of depth and immersion. The slight distortions, the soft flares, the way light gently wraps around the object… The lighting became the storyteller. It guided the eye, revealed texture, and echoed the journey from darkness to illumination. That’s what made the transformation emotional, not just visual.
Collaborating with Yağız Oral on the sound design was one of the most intuitive parts of the process. We didn’t want the music to sit on top of the visuals. It had to grow with them. The sound begins with something almost primal, textured and uncertain, then slowly finds structure as the form takes shape. We exchanged many sketches back and forth until every movement, every vibration of the music aligned with the animation’s pulse. The result feels like one continuous breath between sound and image.
Thorn Metamorphosis opened a new path for us in how we think about product storytelling. Instead of simply showing what an object looks like, we explored why it exists and how it comes to life. We believe this narrative-driven approach can inspire a new direction in the design industry, where animation becomes an emotional language between creator and viewer. It’s less about marketing, more about sharing the soul of an idea.
During the research phase, we spent time observing how nature moves. How leaves bend with the wind, how a seed unfolds. What we discovered was that imperfection makes everything feel alive. We tried to bring that sense of unpredictability into the animation: tiny asymmetries, delayed reactions, moments that don’t repeat perfectly. Even the color palette was influenced by seasons: autumn’s decay, spring’s rebirth. Those rhythms shaped how the light and movement evolved on screen.
Achieving the right texture and light was a matter of observation more than technique. We studied how materials behave under real light. Metal absorbing warmth, glass refracting edges and tried to translate that behavior digitally without losing its soul. It was never about hyper-realism; it was about evoking a tactile emotion. Each reflection, each highlight had to serve the transformation’s story rather than simply look perfect.
For us, Thorn Metamorphosis mirrors the story of QZENS itself. We started as a small workshop shaped by craftsmanship, and over time, we evolved into a design brand that blends technology, art, and emotion. This project reflects that journey, from hands shaping material to minds shaping experiences. It’s a statement about where we come from, but also a glimpse into where we’re heading: a space where design isn’t just seen, but felt.
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