Aspiration
Interior Renderings
These renderings were created to be used as inspiration images when marketing to interior designers and architects interested in using Garrett Leather in their projects.
We carefully studied physical leather samples to create custom materials for the leather, and curated the elements of each scene to match the mood of the collection.
Zukun Plan
Garrett Leather
Team
Client
Mira Leather Mood Board Spectrum
To begin thinking about a cohesive set of renderings for a new leather collection, our team gathered reference and inspiration images to help define the mood. A successful mood board helps us with composition ideas, material selection, lighting, and overall rendering approach.
While compiling mood boards, we also identified some interior design and architecture trends that would inspire our scene construction, such as residential courtyards, arches, organically shaped furniture, and old world aesthetics.
Custom Material Development
Rendering Material Test Application
Rendering Material Test Swatches
I took on the effort of developing custom rendering materials that matched the physical samples provided by the client. High-quality leather is a particularly challenging material to create because of its irregularities and imperfections. I utilized V-Ray’s procedural material options to create the pull-up effect and randomized imperfections that Mira Leather is known for.
Composition Development: Intimate Residential Scene
I started exploration on paper, with pen and Copic markers, paying attention to artistic composition methods like the rule of thirds and the golden ratio to create a scene that guides the eye to the leather seating.
Earliest Sketch
After exploring several different architectural scenes on paper, I modeled up the most successful variation and then quickly iterated through several compositions using screenshots. These scenes became increasingly believable out as I added assets to fill out the details.
Composition Exploration in CAD
Further Refinement
At this point in the project, we dialed in the details of other elements in the room, color combinations, leather applications, lighting, and camera perspective.
Examples: Intimate Residential & Living Room Residential Scenes
Preparing for Final Renders
Example: Living Room Residential Scene
Once final scenes were approved by the client, I finished adding the final realistic details to the materials and we rendered out the final images at high resolution.
Each scene was created using a mix of custom-modeled assets, modified assets, and purchased/library assets. Color, lighting and realism were a key parts of this effort to create a mood that inspired.
By taking the approach of renderings rather than a traditional photoshoot, we saved Garrett Leather time, money, and unnecessary waste while also giving them the ability to make changes and tweaks throughout the process.
As an industrial designer on these projects, I contributed to mood board development, presentation, concept sketching, asset modeling, concept refinement, and final renderings. I also managed junior designers as they contributed to the project.
What I appreciated most about these projects was the ability to create something that is aspirational—informed by manufacturing processes but not constrained by them. Since these images would only ever live as 2D inspiration, I was able to focus on creating the illusion of reality while letting the viewer’s mind fill in the rest.
Pull-Up Material Effect & Upholstery Modeling Detail
Additional Project: Prism Collection Renderings
The Mira Collection renderings were extremely successful in marketing the collection to designers interested in working with Garrett Leather. Our next project was another set of renderings for their next collection: Prism.
Prism Residential Scene Exploration