INTUIT VIRTUAL TAX STORE
Volumetric Capture
UI, LIGHTING & MATERIALS
Intuit wanted to do something never before done with a fully working virtual space. At the same time, they wanted to create a relatable, inviting space. From our perspective, letting the how it works be the future-forward part. But what it looks like in design, lighting, and UI needed to feel elevated, yet relatable. To us, that meant a very design-forward lighting and design look that leans into real materials like wood and stucco. Done in a clean, confident way.
Intuit Turbo Tax set out to solve a very relatable problem— Making taxes less scary. To do that, they conceived a virtual tax store. An online retail space you can go to for tax learning, help, and resources. To not only help you do your taxes but also make it far more pleasant.
To help them do that, we worked together to create an online, physical tax store. Combining 3d design & animation, web GL code in collaboration with Dog Studios, and the most cutting-edge part: 3d volumetric capture of tax experts. Guides that add humanity, warmth, and guidance in real, relatable ways to help you get your taxes done confidently and with less stress.
TAX EXPERTS
Intuit knew they wanted their tax experts to be welcoming representatives. They also knew they wanted the virtual space to feel inviting, calm, trustworthy, and peaceful. A direct strategy to counteract the stress and fear many of us have about taxes.
To achieve that, the vision was to create a minimalist, designed space. Sparse, human, elevated, and comfortable. Led by a tax expert who makes you feel like you are talking to a friend.
VOLUMETRIC CAPTURE
Here’s where things get very interesting. It felt too artificial to create CGI tax experts. But we still needed people to work in a virtual space where users can move around freely in 3d space. That is where volumetric capture came into play, using cutting-edge capture technology.
We filmed our tax experts with 240 video cameras at once.
GPU rendering processed each camera with video photogrammetry.
This turned each video into a fully animated 3d model.
This lets us place the model in our 3d space for viewers to move around & interact with freely.
