Reimagining clean energy through 3D illustration
When Palmetto approached Handsome Frank, they came with a clear ambition -and a specific creative in mind. They had been following the work of Guillaume Kurkdjian, whose distinctive 3D style had caught their eye. Known for his playful forms, soft textures and optimistic tone, Guillaume’s work felt like a natural fit for a brand looking to redefine how clean energy is perceived.
Palmetto wasn’t just looking for illustration. They were looking for a new way to tell their story.
Building a world of abundance
Clean energy has long been framed as a compromise—something rooted in restraint, responsibility, and reduction. Palmetto is part of a new wave of brands challenging that narrative, instead positioning renewable energy as something abundant, comfortable and inherently positive.
Our role was to help bring that shift to life.
Working in Cinema 4D, we collaborated closely with Guillaume to create a series of 3D illustrations that deliberately move away from the familiar visual language of the category. Rather than relying on predictable eco tropes, we developed a world built from soft, inviting forms and tactile surfaces—one that feels warm, accessible and quietly optimistic. Everyday scenes were subtly elevated into something more expressive and surreal, helping to introduce a sense of richness and depth that reinforces the idea of energy as something plentiful rather than scarce.
Illustration as experience, not decoration
From the outset, we saw illustration not as a layer applied to the brand, but as a fundamental part of how it would be experienced.
Each scene was designed to do more than communicate function. The aim was to convey feeling—to express the benefits of clean energy in a way that feels immediate and human. Together, the illustrations form a cohesive visual world that audiences can step into, supporting a tone of voice that is confident without being overbearing, and optimistic without feeling naive.
From attention to collaboration
What began with Palmetto spotting Guillaume’s work evolved into a close and considered collaboration. Their initial instinct—to centre the project around a distinctive 3D voice—set the tone for everything that followed.
By combining Palmetto’s ambition, Guillaume’s visual language, and our role at Handsome Frank in shaping and delivering the work, the result is a body of illustration that feels both strategically grounded and creatively distinctive.
Got a project that you think could benefit from illustration? Feel free to get in touch, we'd love to hear more about it.
