Spot Lord Gatuso Champion Cat

Team Work

Creative Studio: Imagina
Director: José Tomás Arrigorriaga.
Creative Director: Cristobal Squella.
Art Director: Carlos Fernández — Mero.
Animation: Rafael Oryan, Naik Quiroz.

Our team developed a multi-stage workflow that strategically inserted AI tools at key points in the production process. The core principle was to leverage AI for iterative scaling and process optimization, not for initial concept generation or final aesthetic judgment.

1. Conceptualization and Aesthetic Definition (Human-Led): The project commenced with our creative and art direction teams establishing the core concept, narrative, and visual identity. This included defining the desired look and feel, color palettes, and overall aesthetic language for the "Lord Gatuso" universe. This human-defined vision served as the foundational blueprint and the primary directive for all subsequent steps.

2. AI-Assisted Iteration (Augmentation): With a clear aesthetic framework established, we utilized generative AI tools to rapidly explore variations based on our specific prompts and art direction. For instance, rather than manually storyboarding or sketching dozens of environmental concepts, the AI generated a high volume of visual iterations (e.g., backgrounds, textures) that strictly adhered to our defined parameters. This allowed our art directors to review a wider array of possibilities and refine compositions with greater efficiency.

3. AI for Workflow Optimization (Automation): We employed AI models to execute complex, time-intensive, and technically repetitive tasks. This included processes such as: Outpainting: Expanding existing canvases and environments. Texture Generation: Creating procedural textures based on visual cues. Assisted Rotoscope/Masking: Accelerating segmentation tasks for compositing. By delegating these technical processes to AI, we reallocated our artists' time from manual labor to higher-value tasks, such as character animation, lighting refinement, and final composition.

4. Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) Curation and Integration: A critical component of our pipeline was the "Human-in-the-Loop" (HITL) model. No AI-generated asset was implemented directly into the final product. Every element was subject to a rigorous review, curation, and modification process by our senior artists. The AI provided raw or semi-finished materials, which were then skillfully integrated, composited, and refined by our team to meet the established quality and aesthetic standards.