Toronto Bus Shelters Adorned with 3‑D‑Printed Origami Birds for 'Kubo & the Two Strings'

3D printing has evolved from a niche prop‑making tool to a cornerstone of Hollywood marketing. In a creative launch for the stop‑motion blockbuster Kubo and the Two Strings, Isobar and Astral transformed Toronto bus shelters into interactive billboards, adorning them with 15 3‑D‑printed origami birds.

Released in August, Kubo—produced by Laika Studios—has captivated audiences with its blend of traditional storytelling and cutting‑edge technology. The film follows a young Japanese boy who uses origami to perform magical acts with his two‑stringed shamisen. With a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it has already become a box‑office hit.

Laika’s reputation for pioneering animation techniques is well‑documented. The studio won an Oscar technical award earlier this year for its use of 3‑D printing in animation, and for Kubo they 3‑D‑printed the lead character and a 16‑foot stop‑motion skeleton puppet. Some characters were printed with up to 130 different facial expressions to capture a single reaction.

“Just as Laika re‑imagined stop‑motion, we wanted to rethink bus shelter design,” said Steve DiLorenzo, executive creative director at Isobar. “By employing 3‑D printing, we break the conventional limits of the medium.”

Isobar partnered with Toronto‑based 3D‑printing firm 3DKhacktory to create the display. The birds—each with a wingspan ranging from 7 to 12 inches—are made from a hard composite plastic and hand‑spray‑painted for a delicate, yet durable finish.

DiLorenzo noted the birds’ resilience: “They appear fragile, but they’re built to withstand the elements—imagine a tornado and one of them flying off.” To secure the birds, the team used 15 rebar pieces that emerge from behind the movie poster’s image of Kubo.

Each bus stop also features a 20‑inch screen that invites commuters to play a game based on Kubo’s quest. “Today’s audience is glued to their screens,” DiLorenzo added. “We need to create experiences that momentarily pull them away, and content is key. The 3‑D‑printed origami birds certainly deliver.”

Source/Credits: https://www.3ders.org