The drive of technology: an interview with Johan De Leenheer

With technology moving along at breakneck pace sometimes it’s hard to have a grasp on everything all at once. However, what may seem like a daunting task to the average person becomes an endless journey of discovery for a seasoned designer. Today we had the pleasure of talking to Johan De Leenheer, who just so happens to be one of those designers.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into the 3D industry?

My name is Johan De Leenheer, I was born in 1973 and raised in Antwerp, Belgium. That also happens to be where I still live today. I started taking my first steps in 3D graphics somewhere around 1998, using CAD software for my work I was doing back then (a designer and maker of furniture).

I always have had a special love for artistic creation, technology and Sci-fi stuff and things kind of lead from one to another to eventually arrive in current situation where I do CG work on a freelance basis.

What are the most important characteristics to become a recognized artist according to you?

I believe the most important aspect to becoming good or recognized at anything is the intension to become it. This, of course, needs to be combined with directed and persistent effort towards reaching the goal. I don't know how long it takes or how much effort you need, because I have certainly not reached my goal yet and doubt I’m ever reaching it (it basically is perpetual training).

What kind of models are the most attractive to you?

That would definitely be the more sci-fi oriented models/designs; I always like to hunt for new and refreshing concepts and designs.

What tool would you consider indispensable for your work?

Definitely my computer… well it's actually a spectrum of things that are needed, but if you ask for my main software of choice for modeling I would say 3ds max for sure.

What is the hardest thing in modeler’s life?

To overcome all sorts of limitations - hardware limitations, software limitations and personal limitations.

How would you best describe your projects in three words?

Works of love

What/who are your influences in life?

There are lots of influences, but maybe concept art drawings have the biggest influence on me, because they inspire me to find ways to make them into worlds that can be entered. My ultimate dream is to someday create those worlds in VR (Virtual Reality). Artists like Arthur Haas, David Levy, Titus Lunter, Levi Hopkins and Ryan Church are creating depictions of worlds I would like to create/visit one day.

How do you take a break from work? What are your hobbies?

I mostly spent time on the things I want to do or achieve, however there are some side activities I also like to spend time on, like emerging technologies and gathering of information about consciousness, I'll spare you the details on that one.

Are there any future projects you can tell us about?

I kind of see myself as the ongoing project that will probably never be finished, I like to keep adding skills and hopefully get to a point where I can step into my own creations. Currently, I'm developing skills in generative techniques and combinations of different modeling tools to see how I can get cool designs out of it to use as building blocks for those VR worlds I was talking about previously. But it’s all a bit too early to talk about that in detail.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully walking around in my own creations (in VR) and earn nice income from the skills I have learned (selling building blocks and maybe also tutorials and scripts).