Interview with Watercraft Challenge winners

It‘s been a long time coming, but finally the winners of the Watercraft challenge assembled on deck. But all puns aside, today we had the pleasure to talk to Simone and Leone M. Jennarelli, Fouad Bend and Jesus A. Olmos who shared their experiences!

CGTrader: How did you get started in 3D modeling?

Jennarelli Brothers: We both got started in 3D modeling in 1996, one working with AutoCAD 3D and the other with the first SWs for VRML(Virtual Reality Modeling Language). Through the years we have developed a great liking for Cinema4D, Vue and Poser, due to their versatility and power.

Fouad: I'm a big fan of video games. From my childhood, I dreamed of being a designer or working with this medium. I have started with AutoCAD to draw architectural plans. After that, I decided to learn more about 3D software, and during this period found Cinema 4D, it was easy to learn and I found myself working in a decoration company soon after.

Jesus: I started 3D modeling many years ago. I don't remember why exactly, but I have taken a liking to it. When I studied sculpture and art in my city I learned to use 3ds3 (many, many years ago) and later other software.

Best model: Big Hovercraft by Dennish2010

Where are you searching for the daily inspiration?

Jennarelli Brothers: Our daily inspiration principally comes from history and ethnology. Even though a few designforms remained identical through the centuries and the millennia, like the scissors, the bells, the keys and the fishhooks, it is always a surprise to discover, how, throughout history, various different civilizations designed everyday objects- in order to resolve the ordinary and extra-ordinary human problems.

Fouad: Google and environment. The surrounding provides a good sense of scale and feel of objects, while Google allows me to explore various parts of the world.

Jesus: Real life. When you want to create something, you have to learn what you have around you. I like fantasy but if you do not know what's around you, you can’t make fantasy feel realistic or believable.

1st runner-up for best model: Micro-bootlegger by Formform

Why have you decided to try yourself in this challenge and how have you came with the ideas for the models for this contest?

Jennarelli Brothers: We already had a plan about developing a series of ships and vessels. In 2012 our 3D model 'Ancient Egypt Pharaoh Royal Ship NK' and its related artwork was officially selected for Ballistic Publishing Exposé 10-2012. And the prow of our Pharaoh's ship was also chosen to represent the whole vehicle category in the book. When we saw your advertisement about the Watercraft challenge, we just thought: ... why not? And thank you for organizing such series of events on your site!

Fouad: I decided to participate in this challenge because the specialty of our company is woodworking and because there a lot of things to learn about boat building. The model I chose I've found coincidentally on Google, when I was looking for inspiration.

Jesus: I found the idea of modeling a boat interesting. I did a boat for fishermen for a real life project, where the people use simple tools. I wanted to make a bigger boat but did not have much time so I went to something smaller but with great detail.

2nd runner-up for best model: Boat A by Artejaol

What are the main challenges you are facing in modeling?

Jennarelli Brothers: The real challenge is always to prepare a good blueprint of the model we want to create. Especially for the historically accurate models, the preparation of one blueprint may require many hours of archival research and, in particular, when you have to design and to define the shape of many details. For example, the correct position of the Roman banner on the naval tower of the Roman quinquereme (Ancient warships) is documented only by a few Roman coins: in battle, in fact, the sails, generally, were not used and the distinctive signs were visible only on the vexilla (the banners) or on the legionary eagles on board.

Fouad: My real challenge is the texture stage. I had to remodel the boat to fit the UV map correctly. It is important to lay out everything in advance and have a clear idea of how everything fits together.

Jesus: When you make a model you have to know that modeling something with many details can make texturing a complicated task. There must be a balance between textures and polygons, so those who use your work will not have problems.

Best Porfolio: Portfolio by Ar3ding

Any advice for those who are just about to start their career as a 3D designer?

Jennarelli Brothers: Just develop your taste and your style! It's important!

Fouad: A good designer must have knowledge in every domain (math, science, physics, biology ....) it allows you to have a good imagination. And if you are blocking on a project never give up, be passionate and think positively - take a breather (see the sky, listen to music, talk to someone ...) to get your head going again.

Jesus: This is work and not a game. You have to educate people who are interested in your models that they should treat this as a job and not a hobby. Like any craft that requires mastery of your tools, this work takes many hours, so enjoy it!

1st runner-up for best portfolio: Portfolio bySmartCgArt