MAINFRAME motion design studio logo

Drinks CGI studio. Creative partner for whisky, spirits & beverage brands.

  • Bitburger logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Amstel logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Chivas logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Glenfiddich logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • PepsiCo logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Johnnie Walker logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Stella Artois logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • San Benedetto logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Bowmore logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • The Singleton logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Laphroaig logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Red Bull logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Bitburger logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Amstel logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Chivas logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Glenfiddich logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • PepsiCo logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Johnnie Walker logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Stella Artois logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • San Benedetto logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Bowmore logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • The Singleton logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Laphroaig logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
  • Red Bull logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client

Trusted by the world’s top drinks
brands + agencies

Deep red satin folds, opening still from Mainframe's drinks CGI hero film
Mainframe MF monogram in green glass among wildflowers, poster for the drinks CGI hero film
Bowmore Aston Martin edition whisky decanter, CGI close-up of the engraved glass and metal cap
Laphroaig Islay single malt bottle on a stone plinth, photoreal CGI render
Glenfiddich gold stag emblem on an amber whisky bottle, CGI close-up

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About us

(01)

We are an independent motion design studio.
We create photoreal CGI for drinks brands.

We are an independent motion design studio.
We create photoreal CGI for drinks brands.

Mainframe is an independent motion design studio with over 28 years of experience, working directly with brands and agencies to understand the story behind each product. For drinks brands, that story is often rooted in origin, craft and place. CGI makes hidden production processes and unique qualities visible, with content built around fine detail, liquid simulation and craft. Our work across whisky and spirits includes campaigns for Glenfiddich, Laphroaig, Johnnie Walker and Arc52.

Mainframe is an independent motion design studio with over 28 years of experience, working directly with brands and agencies to understand the story behind each product. For drinks brands, that story is often rooted in origin, craft and place. CGI makes hidden production processes and unique qualities visible, with content built around fine detail, liquid simulation and craft. Our work across whisky and spirits includes campaigns for Glenfiddich, Laphroaig, Johnnie Walker and Arc52.

CGI is also a product-first production route for a category where lifestyle restrictions need careful handling. We build so campaigns can scale, with assets that work across social, broadcast, e-commerce, DOOH and events. We act as a direct creative partner to brands and specialist agencies in the premium drinks sector.

CGI is also a product-first production route for a category where lifestyle restrictions need careful handling. We build so campaigns can scale, with assets that work across social, broadcast, e-commerce, DOOH and events. We act as a direct creative partner to brands and specialist agencies in the premium drinks sector.

28

+

Years of Experience

1735

+

Projects completed

We translate complex ideas into clear visual storytelling.

Drinks Showreel

Glenfiddich bottle in red glass with gold stag, poster for Mainframe's drinks CGI showreel

Glenfiddich bottle in red glass with gold stag, poster for Mainframe's drinks CGI showreel
Golden ears of wheat in a field, CGI still from a whisky brand film
Oak whisky cask being charred in flames, CGI of the barrel toasting process
Whisky pouring over ice into a tumbler, CGI liquid simulation

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What we do

(02)

We work with brands and agencies to understand the craft, shape its story and create CGI that can scale.

We work with brands and agencies to understand the craft, shape its story and create CGI that can scale.

We work with brands and agencies to understand the craft,
shape its story and create CGI that can scale.

Gold open book, Story card icon

Story.

Often, what gives a drink its character happens before it reaches the bottle. That may be cask maturation, the exchange between liquid and oak, the firing of barrels, or the shift from raw spirit to finished expression. It may also be ingredients, distillation, pour, texture or flavour.

Gold open book, Story card icon

Story.

Often, what gives a drink its character happens before it reaches the bottle. That may be cask maturation, the exchange between liquid and oak, the firing of barrels, or the shift from raw spirit to finished expression. It may also be ingredients, distillation, pour, texture or flavour.

Gold oak barrel, Craft card icon

Craft.

Premium drinks imagery depends on the smallest details. Glass, liquid colour, label texture, foil, embossing, closures, condensation, reflections and refraction all shape how believable a product feels.

Gold oak barrel, Craft card icon

Craft.

Premium drinks imagery depends on the smallest details. Glass, liquid colour, label texture, foil, embossing, closures, condensation, reflections and refraction all shape how believable a product feels.

Gold ear of wheat, Scale card icon

Scale.

A comprehensive CGI asset can be reused, adapted and extended far beyond a single film or still. Once the bottle, packaging, liquid and material behaviour are created in 3D, they become a flexible visual system for the campaign, or for future campaigns.

Gold ear of wheat, Scale card icon

Scale.

A comprehensive CGI asset can be reused, adapted and extended far beyond a single film or still. Once the bottle, packaging, liquid and material behaviour are created in 3D, they become a flexible visual system for the campaign, or for future campaigns.

Trusted by the world’s top drinks
brands + agencies

Johnnie Walker logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Glenfiddich logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Chivas logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
PepsiCo logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Johnnie Walker logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Glenfiddich logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Chivas logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
The Singleton logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Bowmore logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Laphroaig logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
PepsiCo logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Red Bull logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Stella Artois logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Amstel logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Bitburger logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client

Including Glenfiddich, Johnnie Walker, Chivas, Singleton,
Bowmore, Red Bull, PepsiCo, Amstel, Stella Artois,
Bitburger and San Benedetto.

Including Glenfiddich, Johnnie Walker, Chivas, Singleton, Bowmore, Red Bull, PepsiCo, Amstel, Stella Artois, Bitburger and San Benedetto.

Contact us.

Contact us.

Tell us about your drinks project, question, or idea. We’d love to hear from you. The team will get back to you soon.

Tell us about your drinks project, question, or idea. We’d love to hear from you. The team will get back to you soon.

joel@mainframe.co.uk

+44 20 7833 5546

Visit us:

117 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3BX, UK

117 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3BX, UK

FAQs

Answers to common questions about our process, services, and how we work.

1. What kind of drinks and beverage clients do you work with?

We work with premium drinks brands, global whisky and US/Irish whiskey brands, spirits companies, beverage brands and specialist creative agencies. Our drinks and beverage experience includes work for brands such as PepsiCo, Glenfiddich, Laphroaig, Johnnie Walker, Chivas and Arc52. As a beverage animation and CGI studio and agency partner, our work includes drinks CGI, 3D product animation, motion design, product films and campaign content for launches, brand campaigns, social media, e-commerce, DOOH, broadcast and wider visual communication.

2. Why use CGI for whisky, spirits and beverage marketing?

CGI is especially useful for drinks brands because it can show both the visible product and the hidden story behind it. For whisky and spirits, that might include cask maturation, liquid movement, glass detail, packaging, serve rituals, ingredients or abstract brand worlds. A drinks CGI studio can give brands control over product variations, liquid, light, camera and environment, while creating reusable assets for social campaigns, e-commerce, DOOH, broadcast and future campaign rollout.

3. How can CGI support a drinks campaign alongside live action?

CGI can work as a standalone production route or sit alongside live action, photography, edit and motion design. It is particularly useful when a campaign needs precise control over the bottle, liquid, lighting, reflections, camera movement or pack detail. This can help create high-end product films, photoreal bottle renders and product renders, drinks animation, campaign stills and social content without needing to reshoot every format or product version. Once created, the 3D bottle, packaging and specific liquid behaviour can also be reused for future campaign assets.

4. Can CGI help navigate alcohol advertising restrictions?

Yes. Alcohol marketing operates under strict rules across digital, social and broadcast platforms. In the UK, ASA and CAP guidance restricts content that appeals to under-18s, depicts irresponsible consumption, or implies alcohol is linked to social, personal or sexual success. Whisky and spirits brands also need to consider responsible marketing codes, platform policies, age-gating and influencer requirements. CGI can help reduce some of the common production and compliance risks by keeping the focus on the product, craft and brand story. There is no on-screen consumption, no lifestyle scene to manage, and no talent-led narrative that could distract from the product. Every frame can be designed, reviewed and controlled around the bottle, liquid, packaging, process and campaign message. For whisky, spirits and premium beverage brands, this makes CGI a practical production choice as well as a creative one.

5. What beverage animation and CGI services do you offer?

Our beverage animation and CGI services include photoreal bottle renders, drinks CGI, whisky CGI, spirits CGI, 3D product animation, liquid simulation, bottle animation, product films, campaign stills, launch assets, social cutdowns, DOOH content, e-commerce imagery and motion-led brand storytelling. We can create a single hero film or build a wider CGI asset toolkit for multi-channel campaigns.

6. Can you support broader drinks campaign content, not just CGI?

Yes. CGI and 3D product animation are often central to our drinks work, but we can also support broader beverage campaign content through motion design, 2D animation, editing, compositing, AI-supported visual development, live-action elements and mixed-media production where useful. The approach depends on the product story, the campaign requirements and the channels the assets need to work across.

7. How can one campaign asset be scaled across different channels?

A purposely built CGI asset can be reused, adapted and extended beyond a single film or still. Once the bottle, packaging, liquid and material behaviour are created in 3D, they can support hero films, 9:16 vertical edits, 4:5 paid social assets, 1:1 loops, e-commerce imagery, DOOH content, launch films, stills and market-specific versions. They can also be adapted for future campaigns, including simple versioning for regional label changes, pack updates, bottle variations or market-specific delivery requirements.

8. What do you need to start a beverage CGI or product animation project?

Useful starting materials include packaging artwork, label files, CAD data, product photography, bottle samples, brand guidelines, campaign scripts, reference imagery and delivery requirements. Having these assets is ideal, but not always essential. We can work without CAD files where needed, rebuilding bottles, labels, packaging and product details from photography, references or physical samples. We can also help shape the visual approach from an earlier stage, working with brands and agencies to understand the product detail, story and campaign needs before production begins.

9. How do you price and schedule a drinks CGI project?

Costs and timelines depend on the complexity of the product, bottle, packaging, liquid simulation, animation, visual style and number of deliverables. As a guide, a focused photoreal bottle render, product still or short drinks animation may be relatively contained, while a wider beverage CGI campaign with product films, liquid simulation, social cutdowns, e-commerce assets, DOOH versions and stills will need a broader scope. Many drinks CGI and product animation projects sit in the 4-8 week range, but we scope each project around the creative ambition, production requirements, approval process and final delivery list.

1. What kind of drinks and beverage clients do you work with?

We work with premium drinks brands, global whisky and US/Irish whiskey brands, spirits companies, beverage brands and specialist creative agencies. Our drinks and beverage experience includes work for brands such as PepsiCo, Glenfiddich, Laphroaig, Johnnie Walker, Chivas and Arc52. As a beverage animation and CGI studio and agency partner, our work includes drinks CGI, 3D product animation, motion design, product films and campaign content for launches, brand campaigns, social media, e-commerce, DOOH, broadcast and wider visual communication.

2. Why use CGI for whisky, spirits and beverage marketing?

CGI is especially useful for drinks brands because it can show both the visible product and the hidden story behind it. For whisky and spirits, that might include cask maturation, liquid movement, glass detail, packaging, serve rituals, ingredients or abstract brand worlds. A drinks CGI studio can give brands control over product variations, liquid, light, camera and environment, while creating reusable assets for social campaigns, e-commerce, DOOH, broadcast and future campaign rollout.

3. How can CGI support a drinks campaign alongside live action?

CGI can work as a standalone production route or sit alongside live action, photography, edit and motion design. It is particularly useful when a campaign needs precise control over the bottle, liquid, lighting, reflections, camera movement or pack detail. This can help create high-end product films, photoreal bottle renders and product renders, drinks animation, campaign stills and social content without needing to reshoot every format or product version. Once created, the 3D bottle, packaging and specific liquid behaviour can also be reused for future campaign assets.

4. Can CGI help navigate alcohol advertising restrictions?

Yes. Alcohol marketing operates under strict rules across digital, social and broadcast platforms. In the UK, ASA and CAP guidance restricts content that appeals to under-18s, depicts irresponsible consumption, or implies alcohol is linked to social, personal or sexual success. Whisky and spirits brands also need to consider responsible marketing codes, platform policies, age-gating and influencer requirements. CGI can help reduce some of the common production and compliance risks by keeping the focus on the product, craft and brand story. There is no on-screen consumption, no lifestyle scene to manage, and no talent-led narrative that could distract from the product. Every frame can be designed, reviewed and controlled around the bottle, liquid, packaging, process and campaign message. For whisky, spirits and premium beverage brands, this makes CGI a practical production choice as well as a creative one.

5. What beverage animation and CGI services do you offer?

Our beverage animation and CGI services include photoreal bottle renders, drinks CGI, whisky CGI, spirits CGI, 3D product animation, liquid simulation, bottle animation, product films, campaign stills, launch assets, social cutdowns, DOOH content, e-commerce imagery and motion-led brand storytelling. We can create a single hero film or build a wider CGI asset toolkit for multi-channel campaigns.

6. Can you support broader drinks campaign content, not just CGI?

Yes. CGI and 3D product animation are often central to our drinks work, but we can also support broader beverage campaign content through motion design, 2D animation, editing, compositing, AI-supported visual development, live-action elements and mixed-media production where useful. The approach depends on the product story, the campaign requirements and the channels the assets need to work across.

7. How can one campaign asset be scaled across different channels?

A purposely built CGI asset can be reused, adapted and extended beyond a single film or still. Once the bottle, packaging, liquid and material behaviour are created in 3D, they can support hero films, 9:16 vertical edits, 4:5 paid social assets, 1:1 loops, e-commerce imagery, DOOH content, launch films, stills and market-specific versions. They can also be adapted for future campaigns, including simple versioning for regional label changes, pack updates, bottle variations or market-specific delivery requirements.

8. What do you need to start a beverage CGI or product animation project?

Useful starting materials include packaging artwork, label files, CAD data, product photography, bottle samples, brand guidelines, campaign scripts, reference imagery and delivery requirements. Having these assets is ideal, but not always essential. We can work without CAD files where needed, rebuilding bottles, labels, packaging and product details from photography, references or physical samples. We can also help shape the visual approach from an earlier stage, working with brands and agencies to understand the product detail, story and campaign needs before production begins.

9. How do you price and schedule a drinks CGI project?

Costs and timelines depend on the complexity of the product, bottle, packaging, liquid simulation, animation, visual style and number of deliverables. As a guide, a focused photoreal bottle render, product still or short drinks animation may be relatively contained, while a wider beverage CGI campaign with product films, liquid simulation, social cutdowns, e-commerce assets, DOOH versions and stills will need a broader scope. Many drinks CGI and product animation projects sit in the 4-8 week range, but we scope each project around the creative ambition, production requirements, approval process and final delivery list.

1. What kind of drinks and beverage clients do you work with?

We work with premium drinks brands, global whisky and US/Irish whiskey brands, spirits companies, beverage brands and specialist creative agencies. Our drinks and beverage experience includes work for brands such as PepsiCo, Glenfiddich, Laphroaig, Johnnie Walker, Chivas and Arc52. As a beverage animation and CGI studio and agency partner, our work includes drinks CGI, 3D product animation, motion design, product films and campaign content for launches, brand campaigns, social media, e-commerce, DOOH, broadcast and wider visual communication.

2. Why use CGI for whisky, spirits and beverage marketing?

CGI is especially useful for drinks brands because it can show both the visible product and the hidden story behind it. For whisky and spirits, that might include cask maturation, liquid movement, glass detail, packaging, serve rituals, ingredients or abstract brand worlds. A drinks CGI studio can give brands control over product variations, liquid, light, camera and environment, while creating reusable assets for social campaigns, e-commerce, DOOH, broadcast and future campaign rollout.

3. How can CGI support a drinks campaign alongside live action?

CGI can work as a standalone production route or sit alongside live action, photography, edit and motion design. It is particularly useful when a campaign needs precise control over the bottle, liquid, lighting, reflections, camera movement or pack detail. This can help create high-end product films, photoreal bottle renders and product renders, drinks animation, campaign stills and social content without needing to reshoot every format or product version. Once created, the 3D bottle, packaging and specific liquid behaviour can also be reused for future campaign assets.

4. Can CGI help navigate alcohol advertising restrictions?

Yes. Alcohol marketing operates under strict rules across digital, social and broadcast platforms. In the UK, ASA and CAP guidance restricts content that appeals to under-18s, depicts irresponsible consumption, or implies alcohol is linked to social, personal or sexual success. Whisky and spirits brands also need to consider responsible marketing codes, platform policies, age-gating and influencer requirements. CGI can help reduce some of the common production and compliance risks by keeping the focus on the product, craft and brand story. There is no on-screen consumption, no lifestyle scene to manage, and no talent-led narrative that could distract from the product. Every frame can be designed, reviewed and controlled around the bottle, liquid, packaging, process and campaign message. For whisky, spirits and premium beverage brands, this makes CGI a practical production choice as well as a creative one.

5. What beverage animation and CGI services do you offer?

Our beverage animation and CGI services include photoreal bottle renders, drinks CGI, whisky CGI, spirits CGI, 3D product animation, liquid simulation, bottle animation, product films, campaign stills, launch assets, social cutdowns, DOOH content, e-commerce imagery and motion-led brand storytelling. We can create a single hero film or build a wider CGI asset toolkit for multi-channel campaigns.

6. Can you support broader drinks campaign content, not just CGI?

Yes. CGI and 3D product animation are often central to our drinks work, but we can also support broader beverage campaign content through motion design, 2D animation, editing, compositing, AI-supported visual development, live-action elements and mixed-media production where useful. The approach depends on the product story, the campaign requirements and the channels the assets need to work across.

7. How can one campaign asset be scaled across different channels?

A purposely built CGI asset can be reused, adapted and extended beyond a single film or still. Once the bottle, packaging, liquid and material behaviour are created in 3D, they can support hero films, 9:16 vertical edits, 4:5 paid social assets, 1:1 loops, e-commerce imagery, DOOH content, launch films, stills and market-specific versions. They can also be adapted for future campaigns, including simple versioning for regional label changes, pack updates, bottle variations or market-specific delivery requirements.

8. What do you need to start a beverage CGI or product animation project?

Useful starting materials include packaging artwork, label files, CAD data, product photography, bottle samples, brand guidelines, campaign scripts, reference imagery and delivery requirements. Having these assets is ideal, but not always essential. We can work without CAD files where needed, rebuilding bottles, labels, packaging and product details from photography, references or physical samples. We can also help shape the visual approach from an earlier stage, working with brands and agencies to understand the product detail, story and campaign needs before production begins.

9. How do you price and schedule a drinks CGI project?

Costs and timelines depend on the complexity of the product, bottle, packaging, liquid simulation, animation, visual style and number of deliverables. As a guide, a focused photoreal bottle render, product still or short drinks animation may be relatively contained, while a wider beverage CGI campaign with product films, liquid simulation, social cutdowns, e-commerce assets, DOOH versions and stills will need a broader scope. Many drinks CGI and product animation projects sit in the 4-8 week range, but we scope each project around the creative ambition, production requirements, approval process and final delivery list.

MAINFRAME motion design studio logo
MAINFRAME motion design studio logo

Drinks CGI studio. Creative partner for whisky, spirits & beverage brands.

PepsiCo logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Glenfiddich logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Chivas logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client
Johnnie Walker logo, Mainframe drinks CGI client

Trusted by the world’s top drinks brands + agencies

Deep red satin folds, opening still from Mainframe's drinks CGI hero film
Deep red satin folds, opening still from Mainframe's drinks CGI hero film
Deep red satin folds, poster for Mainframe's drinks CGI hero film