Rafiki

Bring Rafiki to life

Rafiti Character Render

Kofi Owusu Ansah Rafiki challenge

rafiki challenge

RAfiki

Rofeek Ajanlekoko

Rafiki the wise sage

SENIOR ANIMATION SUPERVISOR
WĒTĀ FX
<a href="https://www.wetafx.co.nz/about/people/animation-supervisors/sidney-kombo-kintombo" target="_self">Sidney Kombo-Kintombo</a> has been a professio nal animator since 2013 and is currently a senior animation supervisor at Weta Digital, based in New Zealand.
He graduated from Animation Mentor in 2010. Sidney has won two Annie Awards for his work on Koba in War for the Planet of the Apes and for his work in Avengers: Endgame.
He also won a Visual Effect Society (VES) Award for Outstanding Character Animation in Avengers: Infinity War.
In his spare time, Sidney is establishing an education program offering young Africans an opportunity to develop skills to tell their own stories. Sidney teaches Animation Basics and Introduction to Acting.

CEO of Kugali
<a href="https://hamidibrahimportfolio.com/" target="_blank">Hamid Ibrahim</a> is an Artist who focuses on creative leadership and innovation. He is a co-founder and the CEO of Kugali.
Starting from humble beginnings in Uganda, Hamid has contributed to high-profile Hollywood blockbusters including “Lion King” (2019), “The Predator” (2018), and “Dolittle” (2020), to mention just a few.His most notable achievement is the groundbreaking collaboration with Disney Animation Studios on “Iwaju,” an African created series which marks the first time in Walt Disney’s 100 year history to collaborate with an outside studio (Kugali) to create an original animation.
In recognition of his contributions to the field, Hamid received the Alumnus of the Year Award from the University of Hertfordshire in 2021, was named one of the 100 Most Influential Persons of African Descent in 2024, and is a multi-award-nominated and award-winning production designer.

<a href="https://zerply.com/nherr" target="_self">Nicole</a> is a seasoned Supervising Animator with over 28 years of experience in the entertainment industry.
Her impressive portfolio spans a wide range of feature films, television series, video games, and theme park attractions.
Some of the notable projects she has contributed to include
<ul>
<li>Titanic</li>
<li>Space Jam</li>
<li>Blue Eye Samurai</li>
<li>Open Season</li>
<li>Surf's Up</li>
<li>Watchmen</li>
<li>Iron Man 2</li>
<li>X-Men 2</li>
<li>Gears of War</li>
<li>Call of Duty, and many more.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>Full scholarship to one of Animation Mentor's 12-Week <a href="https://www.animationmentor.com/courses/3D/modeling/" target="_self">3D Character Modeling courses</a> (value $1,299 USD)</li>
<li>Half-Hour Mentorship with Sidney Kombo</li>
<li>Mentorship with Hamid Ibrahim</li>
</ul>

1st place

<ul>
<li>Full scholarship to winners choice of any one <a href="https://www.animationmentor.com/workshops/" target="_self">Animation Mentor 6-Week course</a> (value $699-$899 USD) or The <a href="https://www.yellowbrick.co/animation" target="_self">New York University Animation Industry Essentials course </a> (value $999 USD)</li>
<li>Half-Hour Mentorship with Sidney Kombo</li>
</ul>

2nd Price

<ul>
<li>Full scholarship to winners choice of any one <a href="https://www.animationmentor.com/workshops/" target="_self">Animation Mentor 6-Week course</a> (value $699-$899 USD) or The <a href="https://www.yellowbrick.co/animation" target="_self">New York University Animation Industry Essentials course </a> (value $999 USD)</li>
<li>Half-Hour Mentorship with Sidney Kombo</li>
</ul>

3rd Price

<ul>
<li>- Beauty shot (1 minimum) of your rendered character - 1920px+ on longest edge. e.g. landscape should have 1920px+ width, portrait should have 1,920px+ height</li>
<li>- Turn table shot of the character (1020x1920 minimum)</li>
<li>- Artist can use any color for shading and texturing</li>
<li>- Shaded renders</li>
<li>- Textured Renders</li>
<li>- Presentation renders of the character's front, back and side views 1,920px+ on longest edge. e.g. landscape should have 1,920px+ width, portrait should have 1,920px+ height</li>
<li>- A callout sheet presenting the major elements such as wireframes, clay renders, and texture sets.</li>
<li>- Work-in-progress artwork to show the progress of your entry including wireframes and progress shots.</li>
<li>- Exported geometry in .obj format: Upload the .obj <a href="https://onedrive.live.com/?id=56EC9E8324F932CC!1063177&resid=56EC9E8324F932CC!1063177&ithint=folder&authkey=!APKIJGSuQ9TMgvs&cid=56ec9e8324f932cc" target="_blank">here </a> in a folder and make sure you save the file using your name</li>
</ul>

Deliverables

Criteria for Submission
<ul>
<li>- Only individual artists are eligible; submissions from studios or companies will not be accepted.</li>
<li>- Artwork should be in .jpg format and must not exceed 5MB in size.</li>
<li>- Rename your .obj filename to your name before you upload</li>
<li>- Participants are limited to a single entry. Multiple submissions may lead to disqualification. (Refer to the submission process below fordetails.)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Process for Submission</h3>
<ul>
<li>- Visit <a href="http://www.cgafrica.com/" target="_self">www.cgafrica.com</a></li>
<li>- Create an account if you don’t have one</li>
<li>- Complete your User Profile</li>
<li>- Then visit the competition page and click on Enter to submit your entry</li>
<li>- Upload your .obj file <a href="https://1drv.ms/f/s!Aswy-SSDnuxWwPIJ8ogkZK5D1MyC-w?e=rAavnG" target="_self">here</a> (Remember to rename the filename to your name)</li>
</ul>

Submission Guidelines 

<ul>
<li>- The characters will be judged on creative details, personality and execution of the original concept.</li>
<li>- The characters will embody the wonder of intersecting timelines and will tell a compelling story which produces an emotional response.</li>
<li>- Strong composition, modelling, texturing and lighting will also be crucial components in an entry’s success.</li>
</ul>

Judging Criteria

<a href="https://www.animationmentor.com/" target="_blank">Animation Mentor</a> offers online a nimation courses taught by a team of over 100 working professionals from Pixar, DreamWorks, Blizzard, Weta Digital, Riot Games and Industrial Light &amp; Magic, to name a few.
It all starts with our world-class partnerships with animation professionals, studios, and software developers. These partnerships — along with our dedicated, industry-focused curriculum — help prepare students for a career in the animation industry.
Students learn how to thrive in the studio production environment, using our custom interactive online campus in tandem with professional studio workflows.

Participants are required to ensure that their design submissions do not infringe upon any existing intellectual property rights. Entries that infringe upon or violate the rights of any third-party intellectual property will be disqualified from the challenge.

Please note that failure to comply with these terms and conditions may result in disqualification from the challenge and/or the removal of submitted entries.

This challenge is exclusively for individual participants.
Team submissions will not be accepted or considered eligible for participation.
Each entry must be the sole work and effort of an individual participant.

Participation as a Team

By participating in this competition and submitting artwork, participants acknowledge and agree that all submitted entries become the property of CGAfrica.
CGAfrica retains the right to use, reproduce, display, modify, and distribute the submitted artwork for promotional, marketing, or any other purposes related to the competition, without requiring further consent or compensation to the participant.
Participants maintain the right to be identified as the creators of their artwork. However, CGAfrica reserves the right to display or modify the artwork without necessarily attributing credit to the participant, if deemed necessary for promotional or display purposes.
Participants also acknowledge that the submitted artwork may be featured on CGAfrica's platforms, websites, social media channels, or any other media associated with CGAfrica, with no expectation of additional compensation beyond the prizes outlined for the competition.
Participants retain the right to showcase their artwork in personal portfolios or galleries, provided it does not conflict with any of the rights granted to CGAfrica.
This provision regarding ownership of submitted artwork shall remain in effect irrespective of the participant's status in the competition, including disqualification or withdrawal of the entry.

Ownership of Submitted Artwork

Please be aware that a service charge, amounting to a maximum of 15% of the competition prizes, will be deducted by Bank and CGAfrica. This charge covers bank charges incurred.
Participants are advised that, upon winning a prize in this competition, CGAfrica will deduct a service charge, not exceeding 15% of the awarded prize value, before disbursing the prize amount. This deduction is standard procedure and is detailed in the competition terms and conditions.
We encourage participants to carefully review the terms and conditions to understand the specifics regarding the service charge and its application to the competition prizes. Failure to comply with these terms may result in disqualification or removal of submitted entries.
For any clarifications or queries regarding the service charge, participants are welcome to reach out to CGAfrica for further information."

Service Charge on Competition Prizes - Up to 15% Applies.

Please note that failure to comply with these terms and conditions may result in disqualification from the challenge and/or the removal of submitted entries.

Endnote

RAFIKI

Rafiki character model

Refiki

CGAfrica launches the 'Rafiki 3D Character Modelling Competition,' inviting 3D artists to showcase their skills in African folklore, with expert feedback and mentorship.
<h2>Character Bio</h2>
Character Name is Rafiki.
Rafiki is a quirky and wise character rooted in African folklore. With his tall, slender body and expressive face marked by tribal designs
Rafiki comes from a close-knit tribe known for their deep connection to nature and rich oral traditions.
CGAfrica launches the 'Rafiki 3D Character Modelling Competition,' inviting 3D artists to showcase their skills in African folklore, with expert feedback and mentorship.
<blockquote>Make sure you read the Rules</blockquote>
<h3><a href="https://onedrive.live.com/?id=56EC9E8324F932CC!1062977&resid=56EC9E8324F932CC!1062977&ithint=folder&authkey=!AEenUfRofMpz0XI&cid=56ec9e8324f932cc" target="_self">Download Reference Image</a></h3>

Bring Rafiki to Life 3D Modelling Competition sponsored by Animation Mentor

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Explore 3D/3D Art, VFX, Cartoons & Animations on CGAfrica - Learn, Create & Share with Africa's Leading CG Community

 Bring Rafiki to Life 3D Modelling Competition sponsored by Animation Mentor | Competition

My submission for the Rafiki character creation challenge. It was mainly done in Blender 3D and rendered with cycles and Eevee.

UNFINISHED WORK But would love to know the character more.

This artwork shows different in progress and final shots of Rafiki which capture the beauty and elegance of the character .

Rafiki's creation

This version of rafiki has been hidden in the densest forests and is also amphibious as i used the green tree frog for reference. it was a really fun challenge especially because I started late.

rafiki

This is a close up render of Rafiki showing clearly the face ,face marks and leaves and flower ornaments

Rafiki front closeup render

Rafiki model done in 5days for the 3D Competition,

Inspired by nature and human skin, I decided to give Rafiki an organic, fleshy and slimy look. He is a creature of magic and nature, with a friendly appeal despite his veiny gross skin. I looked to African tribal scarring, voodoo dolls and lizards for inspiration and reference. Combining the scary with the endearing this is my design

A 3d model of Rafiki, based on designs by CG Africa

Hello pps , Im happily sharing with you my 3d take of Rafiki 3d modelling competition , 
The Model was sculpted in Zbrush , Textured in Substance painter and Rendered using Maya Arnold  
I Hope you like it !

Meet Rafiki, a quirky and goofy being deeply rooted in nature

Rafiki is a quirky and wise character rooted in African folklore.

Rafiki is a mutant who is the protector of the Swamp, a community he belongs too. Years on the leadership role of the Swamp protector is passed down ancestrally and Rafiki is the chosen one in this time and age.

A frog-like creature who has survived the wild nature of the forest habitat and has conquered it with its wisdom and wit, making it a wise and knowledgeable creature among others

RAFIKI TORHIRI

rafiki is a nature-loving spirit. Armed with his bag, he explores the mysterious and magical forests that we didn't know existed.

rafiki in the mysterious african forest

I participated in the 'Rafiki 3D Character Modelling Competition,' where I created a character inspired by African folklore. I also drew from Brazilian folklore, closer to my culture. Rafiki is a wise and quirky figure with a tall, slender body, from a tribe deeply connected to nature and rich in oral traditions.

Rafiki project

this is my interpretation of the Rafiki. I thought of the character of living in the forest, and this influenced my color pallet to help him survive in the forest.

Rafiki is a young boy from an African tribe who leave deep in the forest.

An odd ball of his community, with a slightly misshapen head and two-toed feet, Rafiki still finds a place in his community amongst his fellow villagers.

Rofeek Ajanlekoko is a man of strength and wisdom who has lived longer than anyone, he still believes in the African spirit but people thinks he is stale and always tell folks tales.

Finalised version. Enjoyed the process. Thank you.
https://youtube.com/shorts/q-SN0Q-UnIk?si=PU4vOkxikidW1LNx

Rafiki walks confidently through the savanna, tall like a tree, knowing the world is doing well, thanks to his tribe’s bond with nature and the positive impact he leaves behind.

Rafiki is originates from a tribe in Africa. He is a tall, slender, quirky and wise character. He's quite industrious and self-sufficient.

I decide to bring Rafiki to 3D Life, a challenging character work on
hoping to level up.

Rafiki To Life

Rafiki is a wise traveller, or explora. He is quirky and very skinny. He is from an African tribe.

this is a 3D model of Rafiki. its work in progress. its a challenging and exciting project

3d sculpted then re-topologized work in progres

A work in progress for the Rafiki character modeling competition.
I'm expecting to make a sort of hand sculpted version out of it so
stay tune.

Rafiki WIP

This is my entry for the Bring Rafiki to Life Competition. It took me about 27hours start to finish. My inspiration for this work was rooted in what I thought a mythical 'fairy like' creature who is a story teller would look like. As for the props I added;I gave the character a musical instrument because I pictured this character as someone might use music in their story telling exploits.

Bring Rafiki to Life

Rafiki is a wise sage who has seen and been through alot in the African savannah. He's playful and always has a friendly smile. He is always accompanies by a sleepy friendly owl pet, whom he moves around with at all times. Mjanja is his name, and  he gives him advice sometimes. They are inseparable.

Friend. This is my own artistic rendition of the competition.

I gave it my best but time was against me. Let's see how it goes.

Winners

Honourable Mentions

Submissions

Useful Links

Company

Contacts