Founded in 2017 by three senior CG artists, Glimpse VFX has quickly grown into one of Lisbon’s most exciting creative studios, delivering award-winning work across advertising, film, and television. Under the leadership of CEO Rui Romano, the company has built a reputation for technical precision, bold ideas, and a people-first culture that stands out in today’s rapidly evolving visual effects industry.
From high-profile campaigns like Fruta Kids Luso to collaborations with major international clients, Glimpse VFX has thrived on resilience, adaptability, and passion. In this feature, we explore the studio’s journey from its first big break to navigating industry disruptions, embracing innovation, and shaping a future where creativity remains at the core of everything they do.
How was your company born and where are you based?
Our company was founded in 2017 by three senior CG artists, each bringing deep expertise in a distinct area of the craft. This multidisciplinary foundation allowed us to build a strong and balanced creative core from the very beginning. Glimpse VFX is proudly based in Lisbon, Portugal, a city that continues to inspire our work through its rich culture, diversity, and growing creative industry.
What was the biggest challenge to the growth of your company?
The biggest challenge to our growth was starting from scratch!
We had zero clients when we launched. Building trust in a highly competitive industry meant proving ourselves project by project, client by client. It was a slow process that required consistency, quality, and resilience. In the end, that challenge shaped our identity and strengthened our commitment to excellence.
Which was the first huge success that you can remember?
Our first major success was the Fruta Kids Luso campaign.
To this day, I’m still amazed that we landed such a high-profile project without a portfolio. All we had were our individual artist reels. I vividly remember the pitch meeting: we were so nervous, it felt like the whole building was shaking. But somehow, we won the client’s trust.
The result was an original animated world, with unique characters and a strong, meaningful concept behind it. The campaign went on to win several awards in the advertising industry and became a turning point for Glimpse VFX. It gave us credibility and opened the door to larger opportunities.
What’s the biggest opportunity for you and your company in the next year?
In the coming year, our biggest opportunity lies in partnering with larger post-production facilities across Europe and beyond. While our team is relatively small in size, we are composed entirely of senior artists with extensive experience across advertising, film, and television.
We thrive under pressure, accustomed to tight deadlines and complex tasks. This combination of agility and high-level expertise allows us to integrate seamlessly into demanding pipelines, delivering consistent, high-quality results at scale. We see ourselves as the ideal technical strike team for studios that need reliability, speed, and craftsmanship without the overhead.
Can you explain your team’s creative process? What makes it unique?
We see ourselves as highly skilled technical partners who empower creative minds. Our process always starts with listening . We carefully analyze the agency’s initial briefing to fully understand the vision and objectives. From there, we apply our technical expertise to bring that vision to life in the most effective and efficient way.
When invited to contribute creatively, we’re more than ready and not afraid to suggest bold, unconventional ideas that can elevate the final result. This balance between technical precision and creative flexibility is what makes our process unique. We adapt to the needs of each project while always pushing for the best possible outcome.
How does your team remain inspired and motivated?
That’s a great question! And a relevant one, especially now, with AI challenging traditional roles in our industry. Keeping a team inspired and motivated is no longer a passive process; it requires intention and care.
From the beginning, I’ve focused on hiring people not just for their skills, but for their passions. If someone was a generalist but had a strong love for VFX, math, or a specific niche, I encouraged them to specialize in that area. When people are doing what they truly love, motivation comes naturally, even under pressure!
On a more practical note, we also recognize and reward extra effort. We believe in fair compensation, including for overtime, which helps foster respect, loyalty, and long-term commitment.
How has COVID-19 affected your company?
Interestingly, during the COVID-19 period, we experienced one of our busiest times. Demand for high-quality content didn’t slow down. In fact, we saw an increase in work, especially in animation and post-production, as productions adapted to new constraints. In many ways, it was a period of growth for our company.
However, a much bigger impact came later with the dual strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA. Practically overnight, several international projects we had been budgeting were frozen or put indefinitely on hold. That disruption had a far more direct effect on our pipeline than the pandemic itself.
Which agencies do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?
There are many studios we admire, but two that stand out are Platige and Man vs Machine.
Platige has been a reference point for me since the early days of my career. I grew as a professional studying their work, trying to match their level of quality and creativity. Even when we lost pitches to them, I knew the final result would be outstanding — and honestly, I respected that. They’ve set a high bar in storytelling and execution.
Man vs Machine, on the other hand, fascinates me for a different reason. They constantly break the rules and define new visual trends. Their design-first approach and fearless creativity push the boundaries of what motion design and branding can be. They’re a rare studio that truly reshapes the conversation around visual identity.
What is one tip that you would give to other agencies looking to grow?
At this specific moment in time, any prediction feels fragile. The industry is in a state of rapid transformation, from geopolitical instability to the accelerating impact of AI, everything is in flux. What seems true today could be completely outdated in a matter of months.
One possible future is a significant consolidation of the creative pipeline. Traditional roles like production, post-production, and even ideation could become absorbed into multidisciplinary creative agencies. We might see fewer standalone post-production studios and more integrated players controlling the full process, from concept to delivery.
Whether that shift is positive or not will depend on how we adapt. Our focus is on staying flexible, sharpening our core strengths, and being ready to plug into whatever new model emerges.
How do you go about finding new clients/business? (Pitching, work with retainers, etc.)
Up until now, our growth has been driven primarily by the quality and reliability of our work. We’ve consistently delivered high standards under pressure, which naturally led to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.
Year after year, Glimpse VFX has contributed to multiple award-winning campaigns, which have brought us visibility and recognition within the industry. That reputation continues to be our strongest business driver. rust built through execution.
What’s your one big hope for the future of the industry?
My one big hope is that we never replace human creativity and collaboration with AI. Technology should serve as a tool, not a replacement! The emotional depth, intuition, and connection that come from real human teams working together can’t be replicated by algorithms. And even if it could, why?!
Let’s use AI to enhance our processes, not erase the people behind them. The future should be about augmentation, not substitution.
Can you share a defining moment in your company's journey that shaped its identity or direction?
One defining moment in our journey was when we took on our first major project for the Indian film industry.
Overnight, we had to scale “fast and furious”, expanding our team, upgrading software and hardware, and overhauling our pipeline to manage a large-scale, geographically distributed crew across multiple time zones and cultural approaches.
Despite these challenges, we delivered 72 complex VFX shots under a tight deadline. That experience not only proved our ability to adapt and execute at scale but also cemented our identity as a nimble, technically proficient studio capable of thriving in high-pressure, multicultural environments.
How do you foster a culture of innovation and experimentation within your team?
We foster a culture of innovation by constantly embracing new technologies, plugins, and software updates. But more than just keeping up, we actively encourage experimentation, testing tools not just for functionality, but for creative potential.
Our team is given the freedom to explore, prototype, and bring new techniques into real projects. This mindset keeps us agile and forward-thinking, while also creating a space where curiosity and technical mastery go hand in hand. Innovation, for us, isn’t a department, it’s part of our everyday process.
What measures do you take to ensure diversity and inclusion are prioritised within your company?
At Glimpse VFX, inclusion is built into our mindset. We don’t judge or exclude anyone based on gender, age, or background. We focus on talent, passion, and professionalism. Because this is part of our culture from day one, we haven’t needed to implement formal measures.
That said, we remain mindful of the importance of diversity and fairness in our industry. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected, and empowered to contribute fully.
Can you describe a project that challenged your team creatively and how you overcame any obstacles?
One standout project that challenged us creatively was the Popota Continente campaign.
We were tasked with designing and animating 67 unique 3D characters and bringing to life a vibrant supermarket environment, all under a tight deadline.
To meet the scale and complexity, we rapidly expanded our team and made project supervision a top priority to ensure consistency across every asset.
We leveraged the best-in-class software tools for each phase: from 2D/3D concepting, modeling, rigging, texturing, animation, and rendering, to final compositing, ensuring both efficiency and excellence at every step.
This project pushed our creative and technical boundaries, and it’s a clear example of how we deliver high-volume, character-driven work without compromising on quality.
How do you balance maintaining your company's unique creative voice while meeting the diverse needs of clients?
Our clients are always our top priority. We approach every project with the mindset of understanding and delivering on their vision first. When we’re invited to contribute creatively, we do so with care, offering ideas that enhance the concept without compromising the brief.
It’s a balance between service and creativity. We bring our voice to the table when it adds value, but we never let ego get in the way of the client’s goals. This flexibility allows us to adapt to diverse needs while still maintaining the integrity and quality that define Glimpse VFX.
What strategies do you employ to adapt to changes and trends in the industry while staying true to your company's values?
That’s a difficult question to answer given how fast the landscape is shifting. For the first time in history, we’re seeing a technology (AI) that has the potential to replace entire teams with well-crafted prompts. It’s not just an evolution; it’s a disruption at a fundamental level.
At Glimpse VFX, our core values remain unchanged: doing what we love, with full dedication, driven by the experience of senior CG and compositing artists and supervisors. We continuously learn, adapt, and integrate new technologies (including AI) not to replace our craft, but to enhance it.
We’ll stay true to our principles for as long as they have a place in this industry. And if the world moves on, we’ll have the peace of mind that we stood by the quality, integrity, and passion that defined our work.
Can you share a memorable client success story that exemplifies your company's approach and impact?
One memorable client success story was the Magnum Flavours campaign.
Initially, we were brought in solely for on-set supervision. But midway through production, the client encountered technical issues with the live-action shoot. We quickly stepped in and created a full CG version of the ice cream as a backup solution.
They loved the result. So much so that what started as a contingency became the preferred approach. We went on to produce a full range of CG ice cream flavors, which were then used across multiple ads. It was a perfect example of how technical expertise, flexibility, and initiative can turn a challenge into long-term value for the client.
In what ways do you invest in the professional development and growth of your team members?
Since the beginning of my career, I’ve learned through tutorials, experimentation, and a culture of sharing knowledge. That mindset shaped how we invest in our team at Glimpse VFX.
We believe in continuous learning, investing in high-quality online tutorials and resources tailored to each artist’s goals and specialization. But just as important is the team culture: we’ve built an environment where people support each other and where mistakes are treated as opportunities to improve, not reasons to assign blame.
It’s not just about individual growth. It’s about building a resilient, collaborative team that learns together and improves together.
How do you approach sustainability and ethical practices within your company's operations and projects?
At Glimpse VFX, we take ethical practices seriously, not just environmentally, but socially and culturally as well.
We avoid unnecessary overtime, and when extra hours are needed, we ensure they are fairly compensated. Twice a year, we hold individual meetings with each team member to discuss personal well-being, career progression, and open feedback. Always with a focus on transparency and honest communication.
Financially, we share success through a 5% annual profit distribution among employees, reinforcing our belief that the team drives the company’s achievements.
Beyond internal culture, we contribute to the broader community by supporting multiple social campaigns each year. We provide visuals and animations pro bono for causes we believe in. We see creativity as a force for good, not just commerce.
Can you discuss a time when your company had to pivot or innovate in response to unforeseen challenges, and what lessons did you learn from that experience?
Looking back, every unforeseen challenge we’ve faced, from tight deadlines to production pivots, feels minor compared to what AI is bringing to the industry. This isn’t just another disruption; it’s a foundational shift.
We’re learning new lessons every week by watching how the industry and consumers react. The most valuable takeaway so far? Adaptability. Staying flexible, staying informed, and responding quickly to change without losing sight of who we are.
We’re committed to keeping up with technological advances while staying true to our ethics and company culture. That balance, between evolution and integrity, is what we believe will define who thrives in the years ahead.
Do you have any websites, books or resources that you would recommend?
I stay inspired through a mix of industry-leading websites and a few standout books that have shaped me both professionally and personally.
Websites:
- ManvsMachine
- Tendril
- Buck
- FutureDeluxe
Books:
Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull – essential reading for any creative CEO
The Animator’s Survival Kit by Richard Williams – a foundational guide for animators
No Bullshit Guide to Math and Physics by Ivan Savov – highly recommended for any VFX artist who wants to strengthen their technical understanding
Inner Engineering by Sadhguru – for grounding yourself beyond the work
And for pure enjoyment: anything by Haruki Murakami — his storytelling is surreal, introspective, and a great mental reset!
This mix of resources keeps me informed, challenged, and creatively refreshed, across roles and moods.