Virtual culture at your fingertips: by Nadeem Naseem

Computer generated images is moving out of cinemas and on to arts and culture, thanks to the development of software’s that makes it possible to create photo-realistic images.  

Nadeem Naseem a UK based 3D artist creates hyper-realistic interiors using every trick in the book, from the texturing to the modelling, to the lighting and rendering. The level of complexity involved in creating digital interiors is both demanding and rewarding, with this in mind he’s creating complex pieces that challenge the length CGI can go to intricate with culture.

What are the major themes in your work?  

Lately the major themes in my work have been minimal interior spaces and really moody exteriors. The minimal interiors allow me to really finesse the image I’m producing by putting in as much detail as possible in each element. The moody exteriors enable me to experiment with light to create a dramatic looking final image. Alongside interiors and exteriors, I also enjoy working on automotive and product related artwork.  
 

How did you first get interested in 3D, and what draws you to it specifically? 

I started playing around with Google Sketchup roughly 9 years ago back when I was in high school. Following on from school I studied games development in college and really got into 3D modelling and rendering which led to my two degrees in 3D modelling and animation. During my time at uni I developed a passion for Architectural Visualization and based my entire final year at uni around it. It’s the satisfaction of viewing a final image that the client it happy with when it has been completed that draws me to this field of work.     
 

How do you begin your work? How long do you spend on one work?  

In most cases, I find inspiration online before jumping on the computer and starting a fresh piece of art. For example inspiration can be as little as a table lamp which will then motivate me to produce a visual based around the lamp. Some of my latest minimal interiors resemble this. Time spent on one visual can vary depending on the complexity involved however most minimal interior visuals are completed within 3 days with exteriors taking a little longer.  

What inspires you? 

Photography and Architecture inspires me massively alongside the smallest things which motivate me to produce visuals based around them (see answer to previous question).  

A little about your recent project on the virtual gallery how long did it take to make? the idea and inspiration behind it? 

The virtual gallery project was a collaboration with a childhood friend of mine, Abbas Syed. We studied together back in school but we were reunited through art, I came across him on Instagram via his artwork. We caught up and discussed how we could potentially collaborate using my 3D skills and his 2D skills. It was then we challenged ourselves to create a virtual gallery which would showcase both of our skills. The gallery was modelled entirely in 3D space and the 2D digital art created by Abbas was staged around inside. The gallery was then produced as a 360 degree panoramic still image, making it view-able using virtual reality glasses such as the Samsung Gear or HTC Vive resulting in an immersive experience. The project started around December in 2016 and was published in May 2017. The main inspiration behind this project was to produce something that hasn’t really been done before. We wanted to produce something out of the ordinary, which would connect with other artists out there. As virtual reality is the latest and fasted growing technology in our field, we thought it would be the best solution to our concept. 

Check out the virtual gallery http://www.thecreatel.com/vrgallery

Image source: nkn3d Instagram