<p></p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/14a281c242c64887bc8cceffa89a0f33%E6%B5%B7%E6%8A%A5%20%283%EF%BC%89jpg.jpg" alt="14a281c242c64887bc8cceffa89a0f33" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="14a281c242c64887bc8cceffa89a0f33" data-width="2312" data-height="1300"></p><hr><p>Cocoon. is my postgraduate graduation project—a 3D fashion short film independently created and completed by myself. From an ecofeminist perspective, the film explores the intimate and intricate relationship between the body and fabric. It drifts between realism and stylization, using virtual garments to express the emotional processes of growth, constraint, and transformation. Inspired by organic forms found in nature, the work blends cloth dynamics simulation, procedural animation, and cinematic lighting to craft a processual visual narrative centered on “softness,” unfolding a journey of identity and liberation.</p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/76bfdcd2bd9b45ad869b4c00aa9b7fc1Short%20Film%20Clips%20and%20Still%20Shots.png" alt="76bfdcd2bd9b45ad869b4c00aa9b7fc1" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="76bfdcd2bd9b45ad869b4c00aa9b7fc1" data-width="3844" data-height="278"></p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/bac1a08e49dd42caa175977a7b2ab134Group%2075-kt.png" alt="bac1a08e49dd42caa175977a7b2ab134" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="bac1a08e49dd42caa175977a7b2ab134" data-width="8192" data-height="857"></p><div data-vimeo-video="" style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1094129868?#t=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" width="800" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe></div><div data-vimeo-video="" style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1094130162?#t=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" width="800" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe></div><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/0e1d60169142433aacda90fa39f0a4e4Group%2076-kt.png" alt="0e1d60169142433aacda90fa39f0a4e4" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="0e1d60169142433aacda90fa39f0a4e4" data-width="8192" data-height="872"></p><div data-vimeo-video="" style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1094130649?#t=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" width="800" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe></div><div data-vimeo-video="" style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1094130802?#t=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" width="800" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe></div><div data-vimeo-video="" style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1094130313?#t=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" width="800" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe></div><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/93efc9c0a0f6439eb56418d2770465f5Group%2077-kt.png" alt="93efc9c0a0f6439eb56418d2770465f5" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="93efc9c0a0f6439eb56418d2770465f5" data-width="8192" data-height="857"></p><div data-vimeo-video="" style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1094130935?#t=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" width="800" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe></div><div data-vimeo-video="" style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1094131130?#t=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" width="800" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe></div><hr><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/59327277ecdc499581e57050fa8b313aCHARACTERS%20SHOWCASE.png" alt="59327277ecdc499581e57050fa8b313a" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="59327277ecdc499581e57050fa8b313a" data-width="3844" data-height="278"></p><p>Here, I wish to focus on my practice of virtual fashion styling. At the core of this short film is a design strategy centered on gender-neutral silhouettes, material metaphors, and kinetic symbols. It aims to explore how breakthroughs in female character design within three-dimensional spaces can transcend the limitations of traditional binary gender narratives. In this vision, clothing evolves beyond a mere physical covering—it becomes a dynamic cultural symbol capable of continuous flow, shaping, and redefining identity.</p><div data-vimeo-video="" style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1094128342?#t=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" width="800" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe></div><div data-vimeo-video="" style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1094128516?#t=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" width="800" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe></div><div data-vimeo-video="" style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative;"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1094128673?#t=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" width="800" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write" style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;"></iframe></div><hr><p>This project was inspired by the tactile intimacy of fabric and its symbolic role in shaping female identity. Drawing from ecofeminism and the natural morphology of plants and organisms, the film reflects on gender, body, and perception. Research in virtual clothing workflows, especially cloth dynamics and simulation in Houdini and Marvelous Designer, formed the technical foundation of the work. It is both a personal and speculative response to the invisible strength of softness.</p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/433eaaae151c4319b35211f8ae074c2211111272.png" alt="433eaaae151c4319b35211f8ae074c22" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="433eaaae151c4319b35211f8ae074c22" data-width="1920" data-height="479">The overall character styling design is grounded in a futuristic vision of symbiosis between humanity and nature. Set in an era where humans coexist harmoniously with the natural world, the design leverages virtual garment technology. Parametric tailoring and biomimetic kinetic design enable the organic, dynamic generation of garments. For example, the third character’s look draws inspiration from the forms of flower buds and seeds. Through a VDB visual texture design that embodies chaotic, alternating growth, it creates a fluid tension between softness and a hardened shell, contrasting and merging visual elements of rigidity and flexibility.</p><p>The kinetic elements of the character are envisioned as rhythmic, undulating expressions in perpetual motion, metaphorically conveying the outward manifestation of vitality and inner resilience. This allows the character to present an ethereal, drifting visual effect in motion, thereby realizing the core concept that “kinetic form is narrative.”</p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/b45766494acf4445bf26083044c8745fPROCRESSING.png" alt="b45766494acf4445bf26083044c8745f" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="b45766494acf4445bf26083044c8745f" data-width="3844" data-height="278"><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/6e2e95b64d6c4f3e90c8968f3ae95c9011111284.png" alt="6e2e95b64d6c4f3e90c8968f3ae95c90" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="6e2e95b64d6c4f3e90c8968f3ae95c90" data-width="1772" data-height="562">Since the short film is ultimately rendered in Blender, geometric nodes provide possibilities for more diverse usage scenarios of the models. Here, the basic shapes drawn with Grease Pencil can be converted into any 3D data. This test opens up possibilities for subsequent character modeling experiments — they can be clothing panels, accessories, prints, hair, or anything else.</p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/d169d3562d754a98bc9bbbc27c4a6438image.png" alt="d169d3562d754a98bc9bbbc27c4a6438" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="d169d3562d754a98bc9bbbc27c4a6438" data-width="590" data-height="447"><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/615a1ff7d2724782afa58cfeaa8b4dfbimage%20128.png" alt="615a1ff7d2724782afa58cfeaa8b4dfb" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="615a1ff7d2724782afa58cfeaa8b4dfb" data-width="587" data-height="448"><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/5ca850baa63b4f46892efa8df6d9dbe3image%20130.png" alt="5ca850baa63b4f46892efa8df6d9dbe3" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="5ca850baa63b4f46892efa8df6d9dbe3" data-width="590" data-height="449">In creating&nbsp;Cocoon., Marvelous Designer served as the core virtual garmenting tool for rapid silhouette generation. Its modular pattern stitching logic resonates with deconstructive strategies in postmodern fashion design—through multidimensional deconstruction of forms, including&nbsp;silhouette deconstruction&nbsp;and&nbsp;functional deconstruction—to pioneer avant-garde female aesthetics.</p><p>Pattern elements crafted in Blender were imported into Marvelous Designer as garment panels. Through rapid shape arrangement supplemented by functions like edit sewing lines and basting, apparel for three looks was constructed. Base dynamic simulations were completed in Marvelous Designer, with all simulation attributes exported via USD format to Houdini for secondary processing.</p><p> Due to the short production cycle of Character 1, the overall design and simulation followed the traditional fashion design process, including pattern making and fabric calculation. To convey a sense of strength, Character 1 incorporates many sharp linear elements in its composition. However, as the production process was relatively simple—both garment creation and simulation were completed in Marvelous Designer—there is no need to elaborate excessively on the technical details. The following sections will focus on a detailed discussion of Characters 2 and 3.</p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/36b982b418b84fb5ac1b66348a07b1ea11111280.png" alt="36b982b418b84fb5ac1b66348a07b1ea" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="36b982b418b84fb5ac1b66348a07b1ea" data-width="1882" data-height="417">For Character Two's design, the goal is to add dynamic splines during the Houdini step to achieve a plankton-like effect.</p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/2b2c3b6c57e9402797b88b53d58b91c5Frame%2045.png" alt="2b2c3b6c57e9402797b88b53d58b91c5" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="2b2c3b6c57e9402797b88b53d58b91c5" data-width="1672" data-height="478"> Finally, I optimized the clothing using geometric nodes in Blender, such as element pieces scattered on curves and surface decorations converted from Grease Pencil to models.</p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/08ee1e22f9e948118f4e75d8073273cc11111281.png" alt="08ee1e22f9e948118f4e75d8073273cc" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="08ee1e22f9e948118f4e75d8073273cc" data-width="1920" data-height="253">Character Three underwent the most extensive testing; its USD files exported from Marvelous Designer were imported into Houdini, where each component was individually extracted and restructured to enhance the design expression.</p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/cf7dd0b39640438298d550a95123121cFrame%2044.png" alt="cf7dd0b39640438298d550a95123121c" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="cf7dd0b39640438298d550a95123121c" data-width="1394" data-height="524">Similarly, I optimized the headdress using geometric nodes in Blender. I made duplicate copies of the hair output from Houdini and added scattered points to enrich the headdress effect, making it more elaborate.<img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/1739b141bb4e4f15b54756ed1ea9a6acFrame%2043.png" alt="1739b141bb4e4f15b54756ed1ea9a6ac" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="1739b141bb4e4f15b54756ed1ea9a6ac" data-width="673" data-height="556"> The character's makeup was also completed in Blender, with more delicate effect adjustments made to each part through masks.</p><p><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/9f6ca0977e664149bab7ef11130f9f6511111282.png" alt="9f6ca0977e664149bab7ef11130f9f65" class="custom-image original-size" data-id="9f6ca0977e664149bab7ef11130f9f65" data-width="905" data-height="529"> Due to time constraints, the overall materials were completed in Blender. A large number of high 3S parameters, metallicity, and biological textures were used. By reading the color maps from Houdini, regional masks for material spheres were generated. Additionally, properties such as Fresnel and AO were used to continuously blend materials, enriching the delicate visual effects.<img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/d1476feb27eb412e8d6fc5458174580d%E6%B5%B7%E6%8A%A5%20%283%EF%BC%89%E6%97%A0%E5%AD%A6%E9%99%A2.png" class="custom-image hidden-thumbnail" data-id="d1476feb27eb412e8d6fc5458174580d" data-width="2312" data-height="1300"><img src="https://storagefiles.clo-set.com/public/community/202506/d8d0452bd8584566b2380130842894e8/images/37a814d833e64179895f661803ee290b%E6%B5%B7%E6%8A%A5%20%283%E6%97%A0%E5%AD%A6%E9%99%A2.jpg" class="custom-image hidden-thumbnail" data-id="37a814d833e64179895f661803ee290b" data-width="3600" data-height="3600"></p>