Marketing Campaign

Nano RP2040, Small But Mighty

Created for:
Arduino®
in collaboration with
Tugrulhan Ektuna, Anna Viganò & Arduino Team
Four miniature figures surround a towering Arduino Nano RP2040 board on a yellow surface; one touches the board, another holds a red heart overhead.
Role:
Senior Visual Designer & Art Director
Senior Visual Designer & Art Director

Tools:

Blender, Adobe Suite

For the launch of the Nano RP2040, I led the creative direction on Arduino’s first fully 3D-based campaign. We turned our tiniest board into a monumental metaphor, visually amplifying its mighty specs. The campaign marked a new chapter in Arduino's visual language.

The Challenge

This was the first product in the Nano family to feature the RP2040 chip. We needed to visually express the board's advanced capabilities while keeping messaging accessible. More importantly, this was our first commercial-scale video campaign using 3D visuals, pushing our team outside of its 2D comfort zone.

Concept & Strategy

We developed the central narrative: "The smallest board with the mightiest features." By exaggerating its physical size in visuals, we created a playful contradiction to emphasize its computing power. The concept was co-developed with Anna Viganò and informed the look, tone, and messaging of the entire campaign.

Close-up of an upright Arduino Nano RP2040 board flanked by two miniature figures in lab coats, with yellow origami mountains behind them.
Close-up of an upright Arduino Nano RP2040 board flanked by two miniature figures in lab coats, with yellow origami mountains behind them.
Line illustration of two figures interacting with large isometric device outlines, one playing guitar and one dancing beside them.
Line illustration of two figures interacting with large isometric device outlines, one playing guitar and one dancing beside them.
Line illustration of four figures reacting to an oversized Arduino Nano board suspended by strings from above, with clouds on either side.
Line illustration of four figures reacting to an oversized Arduino Nano board suspended by strings from above, with clouds on either side.
Line illustration of a sketched figure standing on top of an oversized Arduino Nano board outline, flanked by mountains and clouds.
Line illustration of a sketched figure standing on top of an oversized Arduino Nano board outline, flanked by mountains and clouds.
Line illustration of five figures gathered around a large Arduino Nano board outline on a runway stage, with clouds above.
Line illustration of five figures gathered around a large Arduino Nano board outline on a runway stage, with clouds above.
Line illustration of a small caped figure lifting a tilted, oversized Arduino Nano board outline above its head, with clouds in the background.
Line illustration of a small caped figure lifting a tilted, oversized Arduino Nano board outline above its head, with clouds in the background.

3D Video by Tugrulhan Ektuna, Video Assembly by Giuliano Cozzi

Visual Development
& Design System

I defined the campaign's moodboard, aesthetic language, and overall look & feel. We used Blender for all visual output, focusing on light, materials, and scale to ensure the board appeared imposing yet familiar. Type and logo use adhered to brand guidelines, while visual hierarchy was adapted to spotlight product features over corporate branding.

Execution & Deliverables
The campaign included a video commercial, static visuals, and promotional assets rolled out across Arduino’s owned platforms. Tugrulhan led 3D and motion execution, and we collaborated closely to ensure fluid camera transitions and realistic render finishes—a leap beyond our usual instructional motion assets.
3D render of an Arduino Nano RP2040 board in a yellow canyon, with one miniature figure climbing it and another lying on the ground below.
3D render of an Arduino Nano RP2040 board in a yellow canyon, with one miniature figure climbing it and another lying on the ground below.
3D render of an Arduino Nano RP2040 board in a yellow canyon, with one miniature figure climbing it and another lying on the ground below.
3D render of an Arduino Nano RP2040 board in a yellow canyon, with one miniature figure climbing it and another lying on the ground below.
3D render of an Arduino Nano RP2040 board rising above a yellow paper cityscape cutout, with a miniature figure on top reaching toward a cloud.
3D render of an Arduino Nano RP2040 board rising above a yellow paper cityscape cutout, with a miniature figure on top reaching toward a cloud.

While we didn’t track formal KPIs, the response from stakeholders was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. The 3D visuals allowed us to communicate abstract concepts more clearly through metaphor, helping non-technical audiences understand core board features. The campaign also set a precedent for using cinematic visuals in future launches.

Lessons & Next Steps

This project revealed the storytelling potential of 3D within product marketing. It taught us how tailored narratives can amplify technical specs in emotionally resonant ways. We also realized that each board may deserve its own sub-brand identity to better represent its features.

The Nano RP2040 campaign was a creative turning point. It felt like we unlocked a new dimension in how Arduino speaks to its audience—not just through design, but through metaphor, motion, and mood. It was a leap of faith that changed our playbook.

Four miniature figures surround a towering Arduino Nano RP2040 board on a yellow surface; one touches the board, another holds a red heart overhead.
Four miniature figures surround a towering Arduino Nano RP2040 board on a yellow surface; one touches the board, another holds a red heart overhead.
3D render of an Arduino Nano RP2040 board standing between two large yellow speaker cabinets on a circular platform, with miniature figures nearby.
3D render of an Arduino Nano RP2040 board standing between two large yellow speaker cabinets on a circular platform, with miniature figures nearby.
Close-up of an upright Arduino Nano RP2040 board flanked by two miniature figures in lab coats, with yellow origami mountains behind them.
Close-up of an upright Arduino Nano RP2040 board flanked by two miniature figures in lab coats, with yellow origami mountains behind them.
Grid of Instagram story slides for the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect campaign, reading "Tiny footprint, mighty features — Swipe up to discover more!"
Grid of Instagram story slides for the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect campaign, reading "Tiny footprint, mighty features — Swipe up to discover more!"

Thank you for taking a look

See the previous project, or the next!
Your call!