Anno Domini 2022. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!🎉🥳 

🎉🥳 2022 will bring some new releases very soon. Thank you all for the support and enjoy the holidays! ❤️

I had a pleasure to be a guest in the latest ArtStations podcast.  I am sharing some thoughts on my design process and life philosophy in general. Links bellow, hope you like it.

https://www.artstation.com/podcast

Episode 4: The Power of Design by ArtStation Podcast

Renowned designer Ivan Šantić discusses design language and philosophy, his MOTH3R platform, and Blender from its early days until now.

15 September 2020·1 hr 3 mins

Youtube direct link:

[BEGIN Transmission]

Here are some snippets from my interview/feature for the latest CYBER Magazine Issue No.05. It's available now in both print and digital editions. 

https://cybrmagazine.com

Alongside the 'VIRAL' theme, I was talking about Psychological Operations™, my design platform, company project and consulting for numerous brands.

CYBR Magazine Issue No 05 

Featuring FN MEKA, CHARLI COHEN, NIKITA REPLYANSKI, THOMAS WEBB, RTFKT, SILICA, HIROTO IKEUCHI, ENGWIND, BRAD BUILDS, plus our investigations into technology fighting the outbreak, viruses that make power for us, and much more

Just two months ago we ripped up the plan for ISSUE_05 and started again. We could see that the viral outbreak we’re currently coming to terms with was going to become an epidemic and we wanted to investigate and reflect on what the future could look like.

We could be looking at one of the biggest technological and cultural shifts in a generation. A future that might make most science-fiction seem closer than ever before. Virtual reality, digital expression through skins and avatars, autonomy and Universal Basic Income all have a part to play in our new future as we all become more interconnected in new ways.

The world is a daunting place right now whether for healthcare or economic reasons, but for this issue we didn’t want to dwell on fear, we wanted to celebrate the talent of technologists, scientists and artists who are all producing some of their best ever work to combat the outbreak and help us all come to terms with country wide shutdowns.

CYBR MAGAZINE Issue 05

Teaser cover

The \\\ VIRAL \\\ ISSUE

[End Of Transmission]

'Psychological Operations™' mentorship program

Here's a short description of the 'Psychological Operations™', a mentorship program with David Weinstock and his final project. 

Intermission

Welcome to the Psychological Operations™  - Design division, initial briefing

This is a one-on-one, 5 weeks program on the front-lines. As an active participant in the program, you are going to learn all about available weapons, software tools, and assets and how to use them effectively and efficiently.

As you are required to learn hand-to-hand combat before becoming a weapon specialist, you will be taught a multidisciplinary approach to design and branding. It's essential to know how to develop and execute a reliable battle-plan before entirely moving on to modeling, texturing, and rendering.

It's not just about project management and naming conventions. With under-cover training at the core of this program, you will make conscious decisions while harvesting your subconscious to come up with entirely new designs and tactics.

It's substance; it's targeting both who are just starting ('from zero to hero') to already indoctrinated in the field. True design experience is the one that can make you adopt, evolve, and more important enjoy the ride.

[End-of-Transmission]

Design operations

Mentorship breakdown

• Preliminary evaluation
• Mission briefing
• Military intelligence - research
• Execution
• Mission debriefing - final presentation
  
  

Mission results

B-44 A Long-distance fighter design (cutting edge stealth  fighter, aircraft designed for long-range missions, air-to-air combat and precision bombing)

After a preliminary evaluation, we have developed a design brief based on the essential goals assessed in the process. With that set, we were ready for the research. We have contemplated many design solutions with a full understanding of all the problems and benefits they all bring to the table.

B-44 Long-distance stealth fighter #1

After research phased out, we were ready to move onto concept design. A couple of prototypes, later, you are now looking at the final. Even this design stands for itself; for me, it was far more essential teaching how to become self-determined, a fully competent to work and process autonomously. David was quite experienced with Blender, but he did not use Moi before. Still, most of the time he spent there went on the actual design and form development. Contrary to popular belief, UI is easy to learn when you have full situational awareness, perception of the elements, comprehension of the situation, and projection of future status.

Situational awareness is a critical foundation for successful decision -making across a broad range of situations. Lacking or inadequate one is ID'ed as a primary factor in accidents attributed to human error.

B-44 Long-distance stealth fighter #2

90% of concept design modelling was done inside Moi3D with Blender for assembly, so most of the details are actual solid CAD geometry. It was mostly developed under a course of 5 weeks with in-depth feedback between each phase of the project. We have done many iterations in the process, and here you can see some of the final renders. Overall tools and assets used in the project: Blender, Moment of Inspiration, Fusion 360, Redshift, Cinema 4D.

B-44 Long-distance stealth fighter #3

Considering this is just beginning be sure to visit David here on Artstation and follow him on his Instagram!

For more information about the program you can contact me here or via: www.moth3r.com

[End-of-file]

Here's my first article in the series about design process. It all starts with ArtStation's award case study published on my website, May 20, 2016. A whole premise of this process breakdown was to illustrate how (my) designs add or create value for the brand.

1. Overview
2. Target group
3. Awards system
   • Challenge Awards
   • Honorable mentions
4. Requirements
5. Design Guidelines
6. Design
   • Timeline
   • Research
   • System
   • Form
   • Materials
7. Tools
8. Deliverables
9. Credits

1. Overview

ArtStation is the leading showcase platform for the games, film, media & entertainment industry.
It enables artists to showcase their work, discover new ones and connect with the industry. 

2. Target group

ArtStation (target group) is used predominantly by the following personas:

• Professional Studio Artists
• Freelance Artists
• Aspiring Artists and Students

3. Awards System

Each challenge will have 3 winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd place), plus honorable mentions. Winners will receive a certificate, a letter of commendation for winning in an international competition (highly valuable for artists applying for international work visas), an ArtStation award graphic on their ArtStation profiles and a ton of exposure on ArtStation. — Leonard Teo

3.1 ArtStation Challenge Awards

To go with the Challenges, we’re also announcing the ArtStation Challenge Awards. This is a virtual award presented to winners of the challenges. The award is designed by Ivan Santic.

• 1st place (Gold award)
• 2nd place (Silver award)
• 3rd place (Bronze award)

3.2 Honorable mentions

ArtStation has a picks system which is a combination of community and editorial picks.

• A project that is uploaded and has more than 50 likes within 2 weeks of being published is shortlisted.
• Site admins review the shortlist for quality and make the awards.

4. Requirements

Design an award that is instantly recognizable and desirable — Leonard Teo

It is a graphic that can be shown on the ArtStation website on an artwork page at a small size to indicate that it is an award. It is a graphic that can be downloaded by the artist and put on his website. It is a graphic that can be used for other purposes such as when applying for a visa they can show prominently that they were awarded a Pick.

• Should visually be the ArtStation brand
• Needs to work on a variety of backgrounds including dark and light backgrounds
• Should work online / offline

5. Design Guidelines

Define an exquisite industrial design experience, design an award which could be also perceived as a next-gen product, equally plausible in both the digital and physical medium. It should be easily manufactured by the current technology, 3D print.

Plus (+)

• modular
• Interlocking parts
• Color/material/tactile differentiation
• Stand(alone)
• 3D print
• Versatile

Minus (-)

• extravagant
• kit-bashing
• ornamental
• cubic
• sculptural
  
  

6. Design

An entertainment design award with industrial design values

6.1 Timeline

The initial idea of this project was developed under a period of two weeks. It took many more weeks to get to the production level, both in terms of renders and overall brand philosophy.

As an ArtStation user from the very beginning, I was already familiar with this platforms progressive mindset and rapid development process. With that already established connection and the brand new platform, it was great opportunity to make something truly new. I did not want to misuse that trust so thanks to Leo, ArtStation's CEO I was given enough time to do an extensive research before setting things in motion. If you move in the wrong direction, it takes even more energy to go back.

6.2 Research

With most references, I was deliberately going outside the scope of preexisting awards or standard target groups. Blind following of the current trends would not favor the innovation and design process. I was looking through all kinds of manufacturing processes, different ranges of products, in overall search for standards and design qualities just to identity what they all could have in common.

All put down, it was a lot of data just to trigger the right emotional response. — Ivan Šantić

6.3 System

While designing the ArtStation award, I was not specifically contemplating an award itself but rather an extension of visual identity and brand integrity. I was supposed to go beyond purely minimalist cubes or figures and open the portal to the other side of spectrum.

 6.4 Form

“The ArtStation design DNA shares a lot with a triangle. Tetrahedron would be the purest representation of that form in three-dimensional space” — Ivan Šantić

Outer hard frame encapsulates and protects the sacrilege of the soft inner form. Following that philosophy the outer frame is completely enclosed, especially on the side it stands. The introduction of robust cutouts and bevel cut shape elements reinforces the distinctive character of the logo itself. These features are in the alignment with ArtStation brand identity.

Integration of visual identity and the shape treatment made it different from other pyramidal / geometric forms. Award design is modular system as well. Honorable mention is literally one of its many faces. Philosophy and use of the materials in that sense is also inverted.

6.5 Materials

There are two basic materials combining three different properties

The frame was perceived as stainless steel material. Addition of anodized aluminium, silver, gold and platinum material colors would still work on the top. The most important quality was contrast of materials, colors, surfaces and the light.

• Metal(lic) frame / Glossy shader / Hard material
• Rubber(ized) body / Matte shader / Soft material
• Embossed logo / Light shader (Capacitive touch technology) / Emissive material

7. Open-Source Tools

Award was designed and developed with Open-source software (Blender) - the first version of this document was written in Markdown.

Open-source is once again an emerging standard and just like ArtStation is all about community. 

The spirit of ArtStation is to foster community-based learning and to celebrate artists’ achievements. We want you to get involved with the community. Upload your work in progress, comment on each other’s work and encourage each other in the spirit of learning and improvement.

Tools

• 3D Modelling & Rendering: Blender 2.76
• Written in: Markdown

8. Deliverables

We’re very pleased to present to you the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each of the categories along with the Honorable Mentions.

• Award design system
• Key award graphics (website, print)
• Marketing renders
• Wallpaper

9. Credits

At the end, one of the first members of this ArtStation community, I am humbled to share this project. It would go under description:

 “An entertainment design award with industrial design values” .

ArtStation Magazine – How we designed the ArtStation Challenge awards
ArtStation Magazine – The Journey Challenge: Award Winners and Honourable Mentions

• Creative Lead: Leonard Teo
• Art Direction & Design: Ivan Santic