How Fordenad is Merging Timeless Animation with Web3

Vintage animations meet NFTs in Fordenad's world, where the old-school rubber hose style gets a fresh twist for the web3 era. A former mobile game artist with a knack for storytelling, Fordenad has captivated audiences with his playful yet meaningful creations, from Franky the Frog's adventures to his latest collection, “THE NEVERENDING CHASE!”, minting now on Rarible.com.

This piece explores the endless loop of financial cycles, and how we tend to get swept up in the colors on the charts. "THE NEVER ENDING CHASE!" reminds us to bring a bit of fun and lightness to our financial lives — there’s always a brighter day ahead.

As he gears up for his latest drop on Rarible, Fordenad welcomes us into a space where nostalgia and innovation collide. Read on to discover his inspirations, the evolution of his style, and what’s next for this trailblazing artist.

Let’s talk about your new collection “THE NEVERENDING CHASE!”. What’s the inspiration behind that and who are the characters in it?

Fordenad: “THE NEVERENDING CHASE!” is really about capturing the ups and downs we see in the finance world. I’ve used familiar characters — a big bear chasing after a smaller bull.

But the bull always finds a way to stay ahead, no matter how close the bear gets. The inspiration came from watching how people react to market fluctuations.

There’s a lot of overthinking and quick decisions, and I wanted this piece to remind people that, even when the bear seems overwhelming, there’s always hope on the horizon.

You’re a powerful storyteller across all of your different projects and animations. Is there a connection between “THE NEVERENDING CHASE!” and some of your previous work, like “Franky’s Dinner”?

Fordenad: The style and playful tone definitely tie “THE NEVERENDING CHASE!” to my previous animations, but that’s about where the connection ends.

I love telling both small and big stories — “THE NEVERENDING CHASE!” is a short tale of an infinite game, something we know well.

The Franky’s brand is built on the concept of infinity. From the cat and mouse chase between Franky and The Pig to our endless runner mobile game, Franky’s Adventures, we thrive on the concept that the best stories last forever.

Now, about your technique. How did you start working with rubber hose animation, an art style that is almost 100 years old?

Fordenad: I've always been a fan of the game Cuphead, even though I never finished it due to its difficulty. The art style of the game is something I could stare at for hours.

Before web3, I worked animating other people's art for various YouTube channels and gaming companies. However, everything changed when I discovered web3, NFTs, and one of my biggest inspirations — Tony Babel.

Tony’s animations were smooth, vintage, and very addictive to watch. I fell in love instantly and started binge-watching old cartoons from the 1930s. The possibilities of the rubber hose style, the morphing of characters and objects into something different, funny, or sometimes even scary, inspired me so much that I decided to embrace it in my art.

I use modern technologies such as After Effects for animation and Photoshop for sketches, so the process is no longer completely hand-drawn.

I find that utilizing digital media allows me to experiment and create a very unique look for my animations.

We love how you use old techniques and vintage aesthetic to explore something as modern (even futuristic) as NFTs. What drew you to NFTs in the first place, and how do you feel the old and the new interact in your work?

Fordenad: I first got introduced to NFTs by a co-worker back in 2022, right when they were really taking off. I started out as a collector, flipping some pieces and having a few lucky moments. But soon, I realized the potential of web3 and the amazing sense of community it offers.

As for blending the old with the new, creating art in the rubber hose style feels unique — not just in digital spaces but across the board.

It’s a style that’s starting to gain more appreciation, even though it’s still relatively rare in games and TV shows.

NFTs give art lovers and collectors a chance to own and support something they genuinely enjoy, and for the rubber hose style, I think this is just the beginning of something really exciting.

What was it like to launch your web3 mobile game Franky’s Adventures (which looks incredible, btw), and what role do your NFTs play in it?

Fordenad: Launching Franky’s Adventures has been quite an adventure itself! We started by introducing it to our community as a simple browser game with the goal of developing it into a full mobile experience.

The end aim was always to incorporate the play-to-collect model, find exciting new ways to reward our players, and expand through collaborations with other communities featured in the game.

At present, the game is fully developed as a traditional mobile experience, with blockchain integration planned for later. Our main focus right now is on creating a fun, addictive game. NFTs and tokens will enhance the experience rather than being the core mechanics.

The game now includes features like Daily Rewards, Quests, Mage’s Wish, Play-To-Collect Tournaments, and the Core Apple Collecting Gameplay.

We’re also developing new gameplay mechanics and a meta game where players explore Franky’s origin story and help him build his new home in Lonely Lily.

Play-To-Collect is a major highlight, allowing players to enjoy the game for free while earning physical and digital rewards. It also provides an opportunity for brand owners to integrate their brands into the game, making them more engaging and recognizable.

It’s been a wild ride — creating such an ambitious game with a small team is challenging, but our community, The Leap Squad, has been incredible with their ideas and feedback. We’re excited to keep pushing forward!

As an artist, what are the benefits of being in web3 and what do you wish you knew about sooner?

Fordenad: The biggest advantage of web3 is the sense of community. In Web2, it can be tough to communicate with creators, and responses might take weeks.

But in web3, you can easily connect with your favorite founders or artists on platforms like Discord and get quick feedback. The collaboration and support within the community are incredible.

Learning art has also become more accessible since artists are more active and approachable on these platforms. I’ve even hosted Discord calls to help people with animation tools, something that’s so much easier thanks to web3.

As for what I wish I knew sooner, I’m actually content with how things have progressed. The journey of learning about the backend of web3, understanding blockchain, and even observing how people react in this space has been an exciting and rewarding experience. It’s all part of the fun and growth in this evolving world.