Cool and Clean is a 3D render video created for the Contra Creative Hackathon. The challenge: design visuals to represent key earning milestones on the platform: $1K, $5K, $10K, $50K $100K, etc.

The core inspiration came directly from Contra’s clean, elegant UI. To visualize the idea of “earning,” we turned to a symbol that has transcended time: the coin. Used for thousands of years to represent value and achievement, the coin became our central motif, reimagined through a contemporary, digital lens.

First, the research for aesthetics.

Now, the idea begins to take shape and find its place.

In this sequence, the intention is to convey minimalism. The color palette relies on a sober contrast between black and white, allowing key areas to stand out with clarity.

The background acts as a visual equivalent of Contra’s user interface, while the coin, with its luminous, reflective material, serves as the central point of focus.

Now, it's time to add some motion and intention.

The bouncing effect was simulated to bring dynamic motion to the coin. The camera slowly moves forward, creating a sense of proximity and momentum, symbolizing the journey toward achieving each milestone.

Focusing on photorealism with carefully crafted, realistic materials. Each frame was rendered with approximately 24 subdivision samples, which provided the desired balance of quality, clarity, and performance for the intended look and feel.

Materials play a key role in this project, with each one representing an earning badge that evolves as milestones are reached, progressing from Gold to Emerald, Sapphire, Amethyst, and beyond.