Moonbirds

One of the projects developed during my full-time tenure at Yuga Labs,  the Moonbirds collection (in its pixelated version), originally developed by Proof, required a style update to offer greater customization to users and allow for personal and commercial use. This illustrated version required a style based on the character development for the animated version of the Moonbirds and Mythics trailer. The exploration and development of characters and traits were done in collaboration with Yian Lee and Jules Sánchez, under the art direction of Colin Hesterly


Moonbird art is entirely on-chain, meaning the images are outputted directly from the smart contract, with no need for storage on IPFS or the like. 

Each of the 10,000 digital artworks in the collection grants holders access to unique experiences to connect with artists and own and champion their art. As a community, Moonbirds is a home for creatives, dreamers, and collectors seeking real connection as we all contribute to the future of web3 art, culture, and technology.

There are also a number of customizable backgrounds available to holders based on their on-chain activity (such as other NFT holdings)—which disappear when the bird is transferred.

Pixelated          —         Illustrated​​​​​​​
This illustrated version required a style based on the character development for the animated version of the Moonbirds and Mythics trailer. The exploration and development of characters and traits were done in collaboration with Yian Lee, under the art direction of Colin Hesterly​​​​​​​
Here are some early explorations based in general references to define the illustrated style for Brave, Crescent, Emperor, Guardian, Professor, Sage, Stark, Tabby and Tranquil, the nine bird classes that the collection includes.
​​​​​​​Explorations for the skeleton version
​​​​​​​Some eyes/expressions explorations
Explorations for the robot version
​​​​​​​Explorations for the glitch version (my favorite)


Traits