5 Types of Visual Assets Every Product Launch Needs
- Ryan Newfell
- Oct 23
- 3 min read
In Part 1 (which you can read here), we explored how to plan your visual assets before a product launch - understanding your audience, choosing finishes, and building a roadmap for every channel. Now, it’s time to look at what you actually need to bring that plan to life.
Whether you’re launching brassware, ceramics, or furniture, having the right mix of visuals ensures your campaign feels cohesive, complete, and ready for every audience, from catalog to Instagram.
Here are the five types of assets every product launch depends on:
1. Hero Shots That Sell
Your hero image sets the tone for your entire launch. It’s the centerpiece that captures attention, establishes emotion, and shows your product in its best light. In a lifestyle room, your faucet, vanity, or tub should feel like part of a story, not just a standalone object.
The best hero shots are aspirational yet believable, designed so homeowners can see themselves in the space while designers feel inspired by its aesthetic. For brands, these images become the cornerstone of every campaign - perfect for catalog covers, landing pages, and promotional emails.
2. Close-Up Shots That Highlight Detail
In the decorative hardware space, finish and craftsmanship are everything. Close-up renders showcase the subtle details...the brushed texture of brass, the veining in stone, the soft reflection of polished chrome, that define quality and differentiate your brand.
These images build confidence for both consumers and designers. When customers can see the level of detail in your work, it reinforces the perception of precision and luxury. They’re also excellent for use in social media campaigns and printed collateral where storytelling happens in just a few frames.
3. Cutouts for Versatility
Clean, background-free product renders are the unsung heroes of every marketing toolkit. They may not be glamorous, but they’re essential for consistency across catalogs, websites, and social graphics.
Cutouts give you flexibility: one file can be reused in endless ways, from e-commerce listings to comparison charts to sales sheets. CGI makes producing these incredibly efficient, especially when multiple finishes are involved. Having cutouts for every variation ensures your team never scrambles for visuals when deadlines hit.
4. Dramatic and Stylized Shots
Sometimes the most powerful images are the ones that go beyond realism. Stylized renders create visual drama and memorability - a faucet glowing against a deep black backdrop, a lineup of bathtubs stretching into the distance, or reflections playing across a metallic surface.
These visuals work beautifully in lookbooks, trade show displays, and advertising campaigns where the goal is to make an impression. They also let you highlight design intent in ways that are difficult (or impossible) with traditional photography, adding depth and sophistication to your visual library.
5. Animations and Technical Visuals
Static imagery sells beauty, but motion sells function. Subtle animations like running water, rotating handles, or light glinting off a finish capture attention instantly, especially in digital environments. They’re perfect for web banners, social posts, or trade show screens where you only have seconds to engage.
Beyond that, CGI can also be used for exploded views or technical animations, which are invaluable for installation guides, spec sheets, and training materials. These visuals make complex mechanisms easy to understand while maintaining brand polish and consistency.
When all of these assets work together, your brand tells a consistent, compelling story, one that’s ready for every audience and every platform.
At Brass Bear Studio, we specialize in creating that full ecosystem of launch visuals - from strategy and room design to every cutout, close-up, and animation your team needs to go to market with confidence.