Alexandra, founder of the Space-render agency, tells us about her CGI work and gives some advices to the next generation of graphic designers.

How do you make a hyper realistic 3D interior?

Above all, the choice of the software is essential. There are several Rendering software, the most famous being: 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, Sketchup, Rhino 3D, ArchiCad… Personally, I exclusively use 3ds Max, which I prefer for 3D interior design.

I realise my 3D renderings as follows:

• First, I turn up the volume (footage).
• Then I place the camera to choose the point of view that I am going to work with. As in the theater or in the cinema this point of view is a scene in which no detail is left to chance.
• I set up the arrangement of the furniture chosen by the architect, I download models with a large number of polygons.
• Once the layout is complete I use Corona Renderer that is a powerful rendering software with 3ds Max.
• I set the lighting and textures. They will play an essential role in my final rendering.
  • For light the more the dynamic range is extended, the more realistic the rendering will be.
  • Good textures brings matter to life. Like in the Hollywood movie of the sixties, I use an image to simulate the landscape around my scene, it has to be in high resolution.
• The previews allow me to adjust many settings until the final rendering is obtained.

Do you have to be an Architect to do 3D architectural computer graphics?

Yes, I think it is necessary even if studying architecture does not teach you how to be a good CGI artist. It gives you the advantage to understand the structures of your model, to know how it works. Also, and I think this is very important, I am also an interior designer. I am always able to provide solutions, because, me and my collaborator speak the same language and share the same vision.

I learned to be a CGI artist when I started working for different international architectural firms. The Russians, Canadians and Australians are the most advanced. In France, in the U.S or in the Middle East, I would say that there is still some reluctance with a low levels of interior 3D rendering.

What is your advice for those who would like to be CGI artists?

A way to start is to build a 3D model base. To name a few there is turbosquid.com, designconnected.com, 3DSky.org. A real advantage is also knowing how to model yourself furniture, which is what we do regularly in our agency. You need to familiarise yourself with the software, test different rendering settings and find a formula that meets your requirements.

What are your sources of inspiration?

Interior designers like India Mahdavi, Ramy Fischler, Apparatus Studio, Kelly Wearstler make my work exciting.

I follow the trends, the shows like Maison et Objets in Paris, Salone del Mobile in Milan. I also have my favorite manufacturers like Poliform, Minotti, Molteni&C, Cattelan Italia, or closer to me there is still Dooq, Pierre Gonalons , Delcourt collection, etc.