FIFTYEIGHT ANIMATION

FIFTYEIGHT ANIMATION is a German studio specializing in 3D character design, computer animation and visual effects. Founded in 1998 and based in Frankfurt am Main, it develops original characters and animated content for advertising agencies, brand owners and entertainment audiences. Previously known as FIFTYEIGHT 3D, the studio combines character development with stylized animation and comedic storytelling.

Its production work spans concept art, digital modeling, rigging, shading, lighting, animation and compositing. Projects include television and cinema commercials, online shorts, brand character content and animated product presentations. The studio also translates established two-dimensional mascots into three-dimensional characters and modernizes existing designs for contemporary commercial campaigns.

Characters for brands

A substantial part of the studio’s work involves developing and refreshing recognizable advertising characters. Its projects include character modeling, facial redesign and animation for Procter & Gamble’s Meister Proper / Mr. Clean, as well as the CGI modernization of Henkel’s Mr. Pritt. Other commercial work includes animated campaigns for Weißer Riese and August Storck’s nimm2 Lachgummis.

The studio’s portfolio also encompasses character animation for Biolectra and commercial animation, visual effects and product presentations for Mercedes-Benz and Lufthansa. These productions reflect its work across consumer goods, healthcare, automotive, transportation and broadcast advertising.

Original characters and storytelling

Alongside commissioned productions, the studio develops its own animated properties. In 2004, it created short holiday greetings featuring anthropomorphic talking coffee cups speaking regional German dialects. These TASSEN shorts became a viral phenomenon and generated demand for physical versions of the characters.

That audience response led the founders to launch FIFTYEIGHT PRODUCTS in 2007, turning their animated tableware designs into porcelain products. The animation practice and consumer products business retain distinct public brands and market scopes while sharing their underlying corporate entity. Other original animation projects include CANNICS and Kitty Cat & Doggy Dog, extending the studio’s character-led approach beyond commissioned advertising.