WhatDoesa3DArtistActuallyDoatDemodern?
What does a 3D Artist actually do at Demodern? We asked Roberto Hernández aka Bate, who has been impressing us with his creative 3D artworks and animations for almost two years now. In this interview, which he originally conducted with Lead Digital (now W&V Tech), he tells us a bit about himself and his work.
What do you do as a 3D Artist?
As a 3D Artist, I take on a variety of tasks at the intersection of design and programming. Starting with the creation of an object or character in 3D software, also known as modeling: I equip each 3D object in every scene with specific materials, colors, and textures. During the subsequent rendering, I generate an image from this 3D file.
Using what is known as character or set design, I then integrate UI and UX elements into a physical space. I create animations either in the 3D software or implement them from 2D environments – it depends on the project.
For pitches and projects, I also develop style frames that allow the final look of a video or game to be recognized early on using finished graphics, fonts, shapes, and characters. This approach is particularly helpful in pitches to sell a product or idea.
My expertise is required in every phase of the workflow, depending on the project. In some cases, I even come in at the end of production, for instance, when the final case study needs to be created. However, I enjoy the process before rendering the most, when it comes to applying textures, lighting scenes, or setting up 3D cameras.
How did you come to this role?
I am from Mexico and have already worked as a 3D Artist there. Through a friend who was already employed at Demodern, I learned that the Cologne team was looking for reinforcement in the 3D area. I applied and two weeks later I got the job.
Moving to Germany not only gave me the exciting opportunity to work in another country and experience a new culture but also to become better at what I am passionate about. There are companies in Mexico that do AR/VR projects at the level of Demodern, but 3D is still a relatively small field in my home country – although it is growing rapidly. Nevertheless, in Mexico, apart from internet courses and online tutorials, I didn't have many opportunities to develop further. I particularly missed the inspiration, collaboration, and exchange with other experts and experienced colleagues. That's exactly what I appreciate about Demodern: Here I am surrounded by many talented and creative minds and work on exciting projects. We help each other, can try things out, and grow with challenges.
Which trait helps you the most in your daily work? Why?
In my field, it is advantageous to quickly and flexibly adapt to new, unpredictable challenges. As a 3D Artist, you are always part of a larger creative team, where every cog must fit together for a project to be realized 'on time & budget'. Colleagues rely on me to accurately estimate the time required for my work – including any change requests. It is helpful that I create my 3D models in a way that allows me to make changes more easily without wasting much time.
Describe a project that particularly excited you as vividly as possible.
The interactive real-time 3D game we realized for the Royal Caribbean Gaming Zone "Sasu's Mystical Quest" combines everything that makes 3D special, in my opinion: Unique character design and modeling, hand-painted textures, a colorful, elaborately developed 3D world, interactivity, and – not to be forgotten – very realistic 3D animations.
The result was an exciting, entertaining, and interactive experience that combines the know-how and expertise from various disciplines and technologies – ultimately benefiting the players on the ship. I am currently working on another project for Royal Caribbean – similarly extraordinary as Sasu’s Mystical Quest.
What is most important to you in your job? What is the most fun?
For me, it is the entire process of 3D art that makes my job so exciting. I experiment, create mood boards, develop and sketch ideas, configure models, and place them where they feel right to me and where a composition seems sensible. At the very end, it comes to polishing – giving the project the final touch, so to speak.
The most important and at the same time most challenging aspect of my job is realizing that at some point, you have to be satisfied with your work. We 3D designers are perfectionists and could endlessly refine our models down to the smallest detail. However, on client projects, you have to learn to make compromises at the right points and always see the effort in relation to the budget and timeframe.
My job is indispensable because…
...3D design helps to not only visualize ideas, products, or scenarios but also to make them tangible and experiential. And the demand for 3D models is steadily increasing: Especially for AR or VR applications and configurators, for example, furniture, automotive parts, or entire environments need to be created in 3D.
If you weren't a 3D Artist, what would you be?
I would probably have focused on another area of visual design. When I started studying design, I wanted to work as a director or photographer in film. Creating visuals, moving images, and graphics that communicate something or tell a story has always been my thing, as my portfolio shows.