Vitaly Iurov

Name: Vitaly Iurov
Area of living: Kiev, Ukraine.
Company: Owner of YurovDesign, 7 years experience.
Expertise: Interiors
Project duration: 1 month.
Software using: 3DsMax, V-Ray, Photoshop…

– Every project starts from collecting materials and client’s wishes. How do you negotiate with clients? What do you ask for?

We have standard terms, so-called brief for a client. It includes questions about client’s family members, general requirements to the style and materials: colors, textures, lighting. For each functional area in interior, we ask all customer requirements, ranging from the number of bowls in the kitchen sink, to the desired shape and size of the sofa.

– How do you work: in your own style or under clients guidance?

Often, we are working in modern styles such as loft, minimalism and eclecticism. Accordingly the customer comes to us for these stylistic directions.

– How is you working process look like? How many revisions allowed to make?

After collecting all the information from the customer, we proceed to the measurement of the premises and to development of a design project. At this stage, photo-realistic rendering is performed and all working documents needed to begin construction collected. After beginning of construction we also provide supervision, which includes regular visits to the object by designer, selection of materials and making the necessary revisions to the project. We do allow an unlimited number of edits, because our ultimate goal is realization of exclusive project.

– Have you refused to do the project and if yes why?

No, I cannot remember such situation. Typically, we bring all of our projects up to the end. We also can “pick up” an existing project at any stage.

– With what kind of client you will never do business again?

I believe that for any customer individual approach can be found.

– General project time?

It all depends on the complexity and scale. Sometimes it is two months and sometimes as building lasts for several years.

– How do you calculate/estimate project price?

From the complexity and volume of required work.

– Do you charge for rendering?

Rendering is a part of a typical design project. The number of angles is ordinary 3 or 4 per room. But if necessary, we make an unlimited number of angles for a complete space review.

– Do you have technical education? Does it helps in 3D?

I graduated from the architectural faculty of Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. Speciality: interior design.

3D graphics began to learn by myself while I was in university. I think that the necessary knowledge comes by itself during the process. So I think that the main point is not the volume of your knowledge, but ability to apply them in practice. In the words of Henry Ford: “Whether you’re even the smartest person on the planet, if you do not know how to apply your knowledge you will not be need by anyone.”

– Client is nice, project agenda is clear, now you need inspiration to get started. What are your sources of inspiration?

Pinterest, HQRoom and Behance. These sites are enough for me. We also regularly travel and visit the world famous exhibition of design and architecture.

– Who is your favorite 3D artist or company?

Right now there are so many of them, but I like the most Panoptikon, Federico Ciavarella, Kuoo Architects and Sérgio Merêces. From domestic strongest team in terms of 3D graphics, in my opinion, it is YoDezeen.

– There are 2 types of visualizers: one who heavily rely on post-work (they do not render scene completely, but only parts of it, and one who try to get complete scene after render process and apply basic post-work) From which side you are and why?

I render the whole scene entirely. At first I model volume only, than light settings, details and put to the final render. I try to do everything to the maximum in the 3D file. Photoshop is needed only for small post-production: contrast, levels… I think that such way of working is the most correct in terms of physically correct lighting and shadows.

– How would you rate your level of expertise in 3D graphics on a scale 0 till 10?

I cannot yet assess myself objectively, because I am constantly in the process of development. I always learn something new in each project. But I can say that I really like result of my work, I think that all renders performed at a high level.

– What were the main sources of training that you used if any? Which one you can recommend?

I cannot suggest any courses because I’m self-taught 3D artist.

– Do you participate in contests?

Yes, we took part in contests on Pinwin, in modeling competitions on 3ddd.ru. More recently, our work Paris apartment took first place in the competition 3D Design. Deep Dive in Style

– Do you attend 3D vis conferences or at least track them in internet?

As a winner of mentioned above competition we got a series of webinars iSaloni 2015. Deep Dive as our price. I also participated in the webinars at RenderCamp and YoRender

– Do you have any personal ideas in 3D which you would like to realize (maybe someone has similar idea and later you can connect with each other in order to help accomplish an idea)?

I would like to devote more time to the lighting in the scene, because it sets a special atmosphere, which is so necessary to the customer.

– What is your greatest work that you have done? The most challenging project you have worked on?

We had a very large-scale project of a penthouse on the island of Sardinia, Italy.

Difficulties lie in the unusual and complex geometry of space and use of techniques, extrinsic to our climatic region. It was necessary to stylistically combine interior with exterior without disturbing the impression of leaving the premises. Our team coped with this task in the specified customer deadlines.

– What do you think about general 3D visualization level in your country

The last few years I have seen a very strong rebound in this sector in Ukraine. People will not only begin to understand how to present beautiful picture, but do not forget about good design, which is very important! It is really nice.

– Market is overwhelmed with the low quality/price offers. There are many programs which allow creating simple 3D without any knowledge. Do you think such job as 3D artists will be still needed in future?

No, I absolutely do not care, because I consider myself first and foremost as a designer. Do not forget that the 3D graphics is just a tool, which we need for the project implementation and realization. The main thing in this business – design itself.

– What can you recommend to others how to attract more customers?

Work constantly, be in good shape! Do always a little bit more than expected from you and try to put something to render every evening.

Advice from Vitali how to achieve so high level visualization quality:

I try to load render farm every evening 🙂