Okdraw is an esteemed architectural visualization studio based in Portugal. Founded in 2013, Okdraw has garnered recognition for its exceptional work in creating images and videos that bring architectural visions to life.
As the nominee in the "Professional Image" category at the CGarchitect 3D Awards 2023 for their outstanding project "Dry Haze of Water," Okdraw exemplifies a commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of architectural visualization. Their collaborative approach with clients worldwide ensures that each project is executed with precision and attention to detail, reflecting the client's unique vision.
Fox Renderfarm as the industry's top cloud rendering service provider and leading render farm, sponsored this challenge and had the pleasure to interview Okdraw. Join us as we delve into the world of Okdraw, where architecture meets artistry, and imagination knows no bounds.
Fox Renderfarm: Hi Okdraw Studio! Thank you so much for accepting our interview! Please introduce your team to our readers.
Okdraw: First of all, we would like to thank you for this invitation, and opportunity! We are Hugo and Pedro, we are the founders of a studio named Okdraw, we are based in Portugal and we've been producing images and videos since 2013. We are currently a team of 5 architects and designers making the beautiful craft of architectural visualization. Our other team members are Catarina Brites, Gonçalo Alves, and Marco Santos.
Okdraw Team © Okdraw
Okdraw Atelier © Okdraw
Fox Renderfarm: Congratulations on being the nominee of the CGarchitect 3D Awards’ "Professional Image" category! How do you feel about it?
Okdraw: It's an honor to be nominated in these prestigious awards along with such fine artists. It's usual for you not to be sure about what you're doing and the path that you are taking. Having this kind of award reassures the path that we are taking. It’s kind of like a validation so we can continue to work on that path.
Fox Renderfarm: Can you tell us about the inspirations behind your work "Dry Haze of Water"? How did you come up with this idea?
Okdraw: This image is part of a larger project of three images. We were contacted by an architecture studio named Corpo Atelier, who had a concept for an art installation reflecting the issue of water scarcity in southern Portugal. They were also invited to participate in the Biennale of Architecture in Venice and wanted to showcase the water transportation systems used by the Romans and other civilizations. Our collaborative effort resulted in three images: the first depicts a fountain of water, the second, which you saw in the competition, shows arid fields, and the third portrays agriculture consuming all the resources. So we cannot claim full credit for the idea, however, we collaborated closely on the sketches and concepts, and we enjoyed the process of creating this project.
Dry Haze of Water © Okdraw
Fox Renderfarm: How did the concept of water scarcity in the south of Portugal influence your choice of visual elements and composition in this image?
Okdraw: The mood of this region of Portugal holds a special significance for us. We have relatives in the south, and we have all visited there at some point during a vacation or while traveling through Portugal. When we think of the geographical area, an image of expansive yellow fields and the flat geometric landscape stretching for miles comes to mind. We sought to capture these memories in our initial sketches and then searched for references to translate these visions into reality. The typical sight of the yellowish or reddish plains due to water scarcity is common, with everything appearing dry. Sometimes featuring objects or vehicles that are just left in the middle of the fields, which further resonated with our memories and inspired our creative process.
Fox Renderfarm: How did you select and utilize the reference images to accurately represent the arid landscape of Alentejo in your CG environment?
Okdraw: The landscape holds a sense of familiarity for us, as we have been exploring various landscapes in Portugal since our childhood. Our approach to this project, much like all others, began with an analysis of the images provided by the client. We strive to update these visual references to grasp the dynamics of the landscape, colors, and the interplay between colors and light that we can leverage. This process followed a similar pattern for this project, starting with the landscape and structure. We delve into photography, films, documentaries, and any other intriguing sources that can inspire the project. Our initial presentation to the client included diverse references, some unrelated to Alentejo but possessing a cinematic allure that we found compelling to share. We also incorporated art references to enrich the project's representation. Numerous sketches, although rough, were worked on over a week, with the core ideas already in place and thoroughly discussed with the client. The initial concept may appear naive, yet the fundamental ideas were well-defined. In essence, our approach is an open process where we gather a multitude of references, particularly real-life ones from photographs and films.
Visual References © Okdraw
Fox Renderfarm: Could you please tell us about your pipeline for this work? And how long did it take you?
Okdraw: The project spanned one week of exploration, followed by approximately two and a half weeks to complete. In the initial week, we dedicated our time to gathering references and exploring concepts. Subsequently, the clients selected 3 images, and the remaining week and a half were solely focused on developing these chosen images. 3 artists were involved in this project, each assigned to work on 1 image. The process was fluid yet demanding, as it introduced elements not typically encountered in our daily work routine. Our workflow involves a continuous exchange of images within the studio, allowing everyone to contribute their opinions and insights openly. When it comes to client revisions, the first revision primarily serves to confirm the concept, while the subsequent two revisions focus on finalizing the details. All the sketches visible here were overlaid on the images by the entire team, utilizing a shared Miro board. As the images took shape, we engaged in commenting and leaving drawings to refine shapes or highlight areas for improvement or modification. This ongoing process extends from the client's initial selection of sketches to the final delivery of the completed image.
Miro Comments & Sketches © Okdraw
Fox Renderfarm: How did you create the textures for the different materials in the scene, such as the weathered surfaces of the scaffold and the vegetation?
Okdraw: The materials and textures were not the biggest part of the project as they are kind of basic in a way. I think the image lives much more on the composition, light, and storytelling. We played a little bit with the amount of translucency and tears on the fabric but not much more than that. The same thing for steel, you have some rust parts that were done with distance. After a certain amount of centimeters, there would be some kind of rust on the edges. I believe that we made the image kind of simpler in technical ways to make it a little bit more complex in terms of composition, light, and storytelling.
Fabric Texture Close-up © Okdraw
Fox Renderfarm: The image has a very specific mood conveyed through its lighting and color grading. Can you explain the post-processing techniques you used to enhance this?
Okdraw: The post-production process is relatively straightforward as we do everything in 3D, making it a linear workflow. We treat the post-production phase akin to refining a photograph, with the core concept already established. It involves revisiting initial references to ensure alignment with our original vision and emphasizing the image's strongest aspects. It's essential to resist the temptation of excessive editing during post-production, focusing instead on enhancing minor details while maintaining simplicity. The color scheme of this project typically revolves around two main tones: a gray-blue backdrop and a dry orange foreground, inspired by the serene yet evocative atmosphere of places like Alentejo in the summer. We aim to uphold the nostalgic essence of the image by meticulously adjusting highlights, colors, and depth while preserving the initial concept. So that we are not going in one path and then on post-production we drift to another path.
Fox Renderfarm: Are there any challenges that you encountered during the process of creation? If so, how did you overcome them?
Okdraw: I think the main challenge we encountered revolved around the fabric used in the structure, a matter already acknowledged by the client. The key difficulty lies in determining the level of looseness and transparency, as well as the number of tears required. To address this, we turned to specialized simulation programs for fabrics and experimented with various options involving stitches and ropes. This task was not part of our regular workflow but rather something we approached sporadically. We also explored different settings to assess the visual impact. Our approach was heavily influenced by past projects and examining relevant references helped us grasp how to manipulate the fabric effectively. Thus, our main challenge, I believe, was navigating through these references to translate the concept into a 3D model.
Fabric Simulation © Okdraw
Fox Renderfarm: Are there any moments you enjoyed during the creation process? And what was the most memorable?
Okdraw: We always strive to find enjoyment in our projects, some of which turn out to be surprisingly fun, while others may not be as exciting. However, this particular project was exceptionally enjoyable for us. It was a refreshing change from our usual work routine, as it did not involve traditional architectural structures and allowed us the freedom to explore different locations. Additionally, we had the opportunity to work with new materials like plaster and fabric, which added to the project's appeal.
The project was memorable for us as it provided a platform to experiment with various moods, perspectives, and colors, as evident in the sketches. This exploration pushed us to step out of our comfort zone and embrace a more artistic approach. The flexibility and trust extended by the client were crucial, as they allowed us complete creative freedom. While this added responsibility to our shoulders, it also brought us immense joy to work on the project.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this project was the chance to showcase our work at the Venice Biennale, a global architectural exhibition. Seeing our images displayed at such a renowned event was truly a memorable and rewarding experience.
Venice Biennale Exhibition © Okdraw
Fox Renderfarm: Have you tried Fox Renderfarm’s render farm services before? If so, how do you feel about Fox Renderfarm’s cloud rendering services?
Okdraw: We have heard about your company and we are familiar with the idea of cloud rendering and render farm. While we have not utilized these services yet, we anticipate exploring them in the future. We believe that cloud rendering holds significant value for animation work, which we engage kind of here and there. This technology is particularly beneficial for individuals lacking the necessary infrastructure and hardware to render lengthy animations. By offering access to cloud-based resources, it levels the playing field by providing everyone with the same rendering capabilities as larger studios. Embracing cloud-based solutions for on-demand access represents the future of technological advancements, making such services highly beneficial and convenient.
Fox Renderfarm: Do you have any ongoing projects or future plans at the moment?
Okdraw: We plan to continue to work as much as possible as well as explore new areas. We love what we do and the people that we work with. We don't have a concrete plan for the future, we started 10 years ago in a coffee shop and this company has been growing gradually. What we take the most pride in is doing what we love, this brings out the best in us and gives us a lot of joy to work when we have this amount of freedom and trust from the clients.
Okdraw’s Social Media:
- Facebook: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okdraw/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okdraw/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okdraw.studio
- Website: https://www.okdraw.net/work/
