Interview with Plus 360 Degrees
Plus 360 Degrees has been pioneering with the real-time 3D technologies on the Web for the past years and continues to do so.
Designer Interview
21 January 2018
Delia Otetea: I have a background in Industrial Design, that I studied in Bucharest at the University of Architecture and Urbanism “Ion Mincu” and a MSc in Digital Media from Hochschule Bremerhaven in Germany. I always had an attraction towards the beautiful and functional and that’s how in high-school I decided to pursue this career. I ended up experimenting with different types of design, now creating mostly digital works.
Ivan Moreno: I have a background in Fine Arts with strong focus in Design from the University of Bogota “Jorge Tadeo Lozano” with a specialization in Digital Edition and Multimedia. I made another specialization in Germany in the same program as Delia. I studied some years engineering that helped me to grasp knowledge we apply in our art today. I like to solve problems, and I find that the combination of disciplines enriches perspectives, it opens the door for new possibilities.
Ivan Moreno: I have a background in Fine Arts with strong focus in Design from the University of Bogota “Jorge Tadeo Lozano” with a specialization in Digital Edition and Multimedia. I made another specialization in Germany in the same program as Delia. I studied some years engineering that helped me to grasp knowledge we apply in our art today. I like to solve problems, and I find that the combination of disciplines enriches perspectives, it opens the door for new possibilities.
Our company, Plus 360 Degrees is a result of our Master’s program in Germany, where we dedicated all our time to research real-time 3D technologies for the Web and not only. After having studied the principles and applying them in anything we did back then, we slowly created our studio where we could offer potential clients interactive visualizations using cutting-edge technologies. We always stay up to date with all the developments and implementations of what is new and could potentially benefit companies everywhere. We have worked with clients worldwide, our works being presented in many galleries that follow Web technologies. We work with WebGL mostly and open source tools, but we have also created on top of that our own tools that can facilitate our workflow.
Delia: Design is everywhere I look. Even bad design is still design. But good design is the one that stands out, that people admire. Good design is the one that makes you look at it for hours and still be impacted by it. It is a piece of art.
Ivan: Is an exercise of bringing order to chaos.
Ivan: Is an exercise of bringing order to chaos.
Ivan: I like to tell stories, thus I like the idea of motion. Motion design or motion graphics with a touch of social emotion is attractive to me. Once you add that story to your work you add your attention to it, your time. There is no other genuine form of admiration than attention.
Ivan: I find “La Sagrada Familia” by Antoni Gaudí incredible.
Delia: A wardrobe for a young family.
Ivan: I can’t remember.
Ivan: I can’t remember.
Ivan: the browser is my favorite material, the new web graphical libraries and top quality rendering engines like three.js makes it hard to not to feel attracted to it.
This is specifically related to the technology we work with, which is WebGL - it allows us to have realistic 3D presentations on the Web like never before, taking advantage of the hardware accelerated graphics.
This is specifically related to the technology we work with, which is WebGL - it allows us to have realistic 3D presentations on the Web like never before, taking advantage of the hardware accelerated graphics.
Delia: I think I feel the most creative at the beginning of a project. My imagination bursts in that moment and all the good and bad ideas come flowing. I specifically write down everything that comes to my mind then, because many times I use it for another project at a later date.
Delia: I focus on the concept - brainstorming, creating and optimizing the 3D models, and texturization.
Delia: Empathy and excitement.
Delia: I feel that I can now focus on what is next. Usually I feel happy and excited for the finished design.
Delia: Successful can be determined as to how many people get influenced by it. Either they use it daily, or look at it for some moments, having someone impacted by the design can make it successful.
Delia: Every designer has a deep responsibility towards the society, as through the products they create they can teach or influence people in how to better behave towards the environment or other people. A designer should take advantage and transmit a message with every work they make.
Delia: I think people are becoming more responsible towards the environment, more empathetic towards the ones in need, that in general we are becoming better. Design as a result can be used as a strong weapon against discrimination, violence, abuse and increase the positive emotions in a person.
Delia: Inspiration comes from everyday things. From books I read, movies or TV shows I watch, walks in the nature, or just when hanging out with friends. A lot of inspiration also comes from seeing the news and the state of the world problems right now.
Ivan: I called what we do, NetArt Hyperrealism when the context is the web. So far it has worked out for product visualizations in our studio, but the ramifications of this can be more. To make it as real as possible, you need the understanding of multiple concepts, like lighting, geometry, math and color theory, in combination with other technical concepts out of traditional imagery.
When we create, we take into consideration all aspects of what we want to achieve. We prototype extensively, we care about the details of the project and the mutual satisfaction of creation between us, the work and the client. We do different approaches depending on project and client's needs.
When we create, we take into consideration all aspects of what we want to achieve. We prototype extensively, we care about the details of the project and the mutual satisfaction of creation between us, the work and the client. We do different approaches depending on project and client's needs.
We both live in Bremen, Germany. We come from Romania and Colombia and definitely the cultural heritage of our home countries affects our designs. Living in Germany has affected the design thinking, how we approach our projects.
Cultural shock is challenging, even talking the same language; and because of this difficulty, overcoming it is of great value and a lasting one. Diversity of experiences that converge in one point to find out its similarities aside of decades of geographical and historical separation is an unique experience that nurtures our spirits, and that indeed is reflected in what we do.
Cultural shock is challenging, even talking the same language; and because of this difficulty, overcoming it is of great value and a lasting one. Diversity of experiences that converge in one point to find out its similarities aside of decades of geographical and historical separation is an unique experience that nurtures our spirits, and that indeed is reflected in what we do.
We normally get contacted by all sort of companies wanting to create an innovative way of presenting their products. Our clients range from the automotive industry, to architecture, industrial and fashion design. We find out what our client’s needs are, propose a solution if they don’t already have one in mind, and guide them through the process of achieving the best results with their project. We work on projects from concept til delivery and have a very strong attention to detail.
Companies should do research regarding their designer of choice, that they are up to date with trends, that their creativity exists and they don’t rely on copying from one project to another, that they bring their best in the projects they are working on.
We like to have space for experimentation and play. Many of our ideas come out of this playfulness room. We like to give freedom of opinion and naivety to resist bias and have a less blurry image of direction. We streer a lot doing this, but little in circles. Then we stop, analyze the “brainstorming” exercise, take notes, pin point relevant game rules and repeat that when we can. We are strict within our freedoms, because consistency and discipline are crucial for learning and mastering.
Ivan: Pay careful attention to study the masters, their techniques, their patterns. The humans that give the most. It might sound a cliche too, but read about everything and surround yourself with diverse people.
I see a great positive in the fact that you always are making something new. Designing something requires research, testing, imagination, always staying on track with what is happening. It can become tiring, but at the end of the day you create something, you see a tangible or digital result of your work. The fact that the work has indeed a visual feedback is amazing. The negative that I see is that a designer will rarely consider its creation finished, which can bring frustration and many never ending projects.
Ivan: Taxonomy is super important. The way how you make your priorities and organized them defines your work. Please don’t confuse this with how clean you can be, or sterically conservative thinking.
Attention to detail, patience and commitment, and imagination of course.
There are periods in which we manage the time better. When we focus on one project at once is when we can manage it the best. But most of the times we deal with more projects, which means that we end the day later than usual. But with this type of work you can have very good ideas or moments even in your “free” time.
It truly depends on its complexity, from a month to a year.
How much does it cost?
We are working with clients across industries and sizes. Some of them are The Boeing Company, RPA, Alcar Holding, Sommer GmbH, and others from various industries like automotive, fashion, architecture and interior design, and product design.
We enjoy the most when we have complete freedom with our work. It rarely happens with client projects, that’s why we always have personal projects on the side, to keep the mind creating, researching and trying new things.
We work as a team in all the designs we do. Even if there are projects in which Ivan or Delia have to put the most of work, we always ask for inputs on the outcome. But in most projects we combine our skills.
People can reach us through our studio’s website, or directly via email at contact@plus360degrees.com or via telephone at +49 421 16153680 .
Thank you for the interview and the award. It’s an honour to be featured.