Microsoft Intro Animation: Business Enterprise Partnership Template

Created for Microsoft in 2026, this 3D animation is used as an intro for presenting enterprise business partnerships through real-world case studies. The creative direction focuses on an abstract opening that gradually eases into the reveal of multiple applications, rather than highlighting a single product. Throughout the animation, established Microsoft branding for their enterprise business software is maintained and extended. Featured applications include Power Apps, Copilot Studio, Dynamics 365, Agent 365, Power Automate, and more. The animation was created using Cinema 4D, Redshift, and Adobe After Effects.

Microsoft Intro Animation: Process Highlights

Storyboard Options

Microsoft was given two options for the direction of the animation. Option 1 starts off abstract, brings the viewer through various business icons and ribbons, then ends in a page wipe, controlled by a glass cursor. This option was chosen, but later modified, so that instead of the cursor creating the reveal, two ribbon ends spread apart to reveal title text underneath. Option 2 showcases icons amongst a surreal outdoor environment, following a green cursor through the clouds and down a metallic portal, which transports them into a blank environment. The icons follow the cursor off-screen in order to reveal the title text.

Option 1: One shot, big reveal

Microsoft Business story board option 1, one shot that explores icons with a gradual reveal.

Option 2: Multiple shots, explore & grow

Microsoft Business story board option 2, multiple shots, grow and explore

Animation Rough Draft

This animation pass is more colorful than the final version, includes motion blur, and lacks depth of field. The art direction is more playful, with the camera careening through the ribbons and past the application icons to its final resting point. The glass ribbon in this version was later adjusted to make it easier to use as a template outside of After Effects.

Final Animation Frames

For the final animation, color was revisited to align more closely with the brand, focusing on blues with accents of purple and yellow. Camera movement was significantly reduced, and the composition was refined so the animation flows more smoothly throughout. Depth of field was used to direct the viewer’s eye, and special attention was given to ensure no single application or icon stands out more than the others. A gobo light was added to create depth and texture within the scene and the backdrop was dimmed slightly. The clear glass ribbon at the end was removed and replaced with a colored version so the animation could more easily be used as a template outside of After Effects.

Microsoft business animation frame 1. Showcases beautiful abstract colors behind glass.

Microsoft business animation frame 2. Icons are revealed amongst ribbons.

Microsoft business animation frame 3. Camera pans up while ribbons and icons are on screen.

Microsoft business animation frame 4. Camera pans past some icons and a ball rolls down a ribbon and in front of camera.

Microsoft business animation frame 5. Camera moves past most ribbons and icons.

Microsoft business animation frame 6. Camera moves past all icons and the last two ribbon ends move in opposite direction.

Microsoft business animation frame 7. Ribbon ends move in opposite directs and start to reveal title placeholder "Title Goes Here".

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