Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

As a designer working in Adobe Dimension CC, the possibilities are endless. Whether creating product packaging like John Godfrey or riveting artwork like Erin Kim, the assets, tools and features available open up a whole new world of creativity. One of the most exciting benefits of 3D can be leveraging some of the stylised or low poly assets available on Adobe Stock to liven up a scene. Although high-fidelity assets capture that real-world look and feel, there are benefits to incorporating these quirky elements into a design.

A 3D model’s appearance is defined by a variety of factors, starting with how it is built. It is important to note that all 3D models on Adobe Stock are comprised of mostly polygons, but not all of them are built the same. Artists can approach the construction of polygons and geometry in a variety of ways to give each model a different look and feel. For example, realistic models often require a higher number of polygons to better display detailed or complex features such as fur, tree bark, clouds and more. These types of models are categorised as high poly. To put it simply – the more polygons that are at play, the more realistic the model may appear. Contrarily, 3D models that have a low number of polygons are usually called low poly.

Render from Dimension showing a set of popsicles with different material applications

(such as cardboard paper, grass and red anodised metal).

Aesthetically speaking, low poly models are characterised by their geometric shape – sharp edges, blocky corners, angular features. Stylised models, in a similar vein, can often have an artificial sheen and are characterised by their otherworldly appearance. These types of assets can add a distinctiveness to an artist’s composition that is truly unique to working with 3D. By blending together photorealistic elements with a sprinkle of artificiality, a designer can create artworks that interpret reality in fresh and unexpected ways.

Additionally, low poly models typically use a simple, mostly flat shaded material. In some cases, the way that the material can be applied is less about photo realism and more about emphasising the bold, abstract features. A simple and striking material application allows the stylistic intent of the model’s geometry to shine through without distracting the viewer from the overall composition. This methodology can transform the model into a completely different and unusual design element each time it is used. For this reason, low poly and stylised art can be a fun and unconventional way to make a 3D render stand out from the crowd.

Render from Dimension showing a lioness with a gold material and a lion with an aluminum material.

With the emergence of new 3D design software like Dimension and trends like Creative Reality, this type of designer-friendly content can help to differentiate a 3D render from visual techniques often employed in traditional photography. As an artist, there is a visual force that comes from incorporating a set of low poly popsicles into a photo realistic advertisement about food or developing a product packaging scene for a re branding campaign that includes unusual animals and trees. By taking these low poly and stylised elements into Dimension and blending in unconventional materials, colours and backgrounds, a designer can create a breathtaking scene that captures the best of both worlds – the unreal and the real all in one.

For more inspiration, please visit the Adobe Stock 3D gallery of stylised assets and the Dimension Behance gallery