Case Study - Cinematic 3D Portfolio with Scroll-Driven Animations

Overview

We built this cinematic scroll experience to showcase our creative development capabilities. It demonstrates how we combine advanced animation libraries with 3D rendering to create websites that feel more like interactive films than traditional web pages.

The centrepiece is a rotating 3D cylinder carousel surrounded by reactive particles—portfolio images mapped to its surface reveal themselves as users scroll, creating a memorable browsing experience that captures attention and tells a story.

Our Creative Development Approach

At The Web People, we specialise in bringing ambitious creative visions to life on the web. This project demonstrates our expertise in:

• Scroll-driven storytelling — Guiding users through content with purposeful, cinematic transitions
• WebGL and 3D graphics — Creating immersive visual experiences that run smoothly in the browser
• Performance-first animation — Building complex effects that maintain 60fps on modern devices
• Custom shader development — Crafting unique visual effects that set your brand apart

The Technical Build

GSAP ScrollTrigger

We used GSAP's ScrollTrigger to create precise, scroll-linked animations. This gives us complete control over timing, easing, and scrubbing—allowing animations to feel natural and responsive to user input rather than mechanical.

Three.js and WebGL

The 3D cylinder carousel is rendered in real-time using Three.js. We built custom geometry, mapped portfolio images as textures, and added reactive particle systems that respond to scroll position. The result is a living, breathing showcase that feels tangible.

Custom Shaders

We wrote GLSL shaders to create depth-based visual effects—subtle lighting, atmospheric particles, and smooth transitions that give the experience its cinematic quality.

Performance Optimisation

Complex 3D animations can easily become sluggish. We optimised every aspect:

• Efficient render loops with requestAnimationFrame
• Texture compression and lazy loading
• Object pooling for particle systems
• Careful memory management

What We Can Build For You

This project represents just one approach to creative web development. Whether you need:

• Immersive product showcases with 3D visualisation
• Interactive storytelling that guides users through your brand narrative
• Animated landing pages that convert visitors into customers
• Portfolio sites that demonstrate creative excellence

We have the technical expertise to bring your vision to life.

What we did