Christian Moore, Packaging Display Designer & Illustrator
This week we sit down with artist Christian Moore. Christian uses Strata Design 3D CX for a wide range of 3D modeling projects including display design, product renders, and promotional graphics. But when you look at his portfolio, it doesn’t take long to realize that his forté is display design. With the path to 3D design never being a straight one, we wanted to see how Christian got into the field, and what pushes him forward.
Tell us a little bit about yourself, where are you from, and where are you now?
I am from Cincinnati, Ohio and have worked in the design industry since 1993. I started off being an interface designer for a computer based learning company. Back then it was 640 x 480 pixels screens that only had 16 colors. (You can imagine my excitement when we got to go to 256 colors.) I did that for about 9 years and then started a web design company. Did that for about 4 years and then did my own thing for about 4 years, mostly doing 3d illustration and animation. Finally in 2008 I ended up in the Display world where we have a wide variety of clients and challenges along the way that make design exciting.
And where do you work now?
I am the Creative Director for Ideal, a Point of Purchase display company. I have been there for almost four years and just love what I do.
Who are your creative influences?
I am a fine artist at heart. I love to draw. I love to get that pencil lead on my hand. Da Vinci is a great influence, Monet, along with Greek and Roman art. I also LOVE to draw comic book characters. George Perez, John Byrne and Adam Hughes really pushed me in that arena even though they don’t know it.
How’d you get into 3D design?
I was a fine art major at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and walked into the computer lab and saw a fellow student making a coke 2 liter in Strata Vision. I was completely taken by it and taught myself most of what I know today through trial and error.
What are some client projects that stand out? Do you have a favorite?
The odd ones really. I love doing details in the product because I work in the world of where a 16th of an inch matters. I love to get detailed and the best compliment I get is “I saw the photo of the product”, when really it is a rendering.
What does your creative workflow usually look like?
I always start off with pencils. Gotta knock those ideas out and let them flow onto the page. From there I model the product and then take the ideas into the 3d environment. What I love about Strata is that you can model to a very precise size and it gives you real work expectations of the product and the display you are trying to build.
Why do you use Strata, and what are your favorite features?
I started using Strata when it was Strata Vision back in 1990 I think. I used other programs like Swivel 3d back then, but Strata has a great user interface that easily allows folks to stumble their way through a project. The program is very second nature to me. I have used other programs too, 3d Max, Cinema 4d, Wings, Modo, etc. and I always stay with Strata. You really get a true appreciation for the program.
What projects are you currently working on, and what goals do you have for yourself in the future?
Working on projects for several folks. I am not sure I am allowed to mention them by name. My goals remain unchanged from way back when. Get better. I teach Strata to classrooms of professionals and the one thing I always learn is that there is always someone better out there. Someone who puts a little twist on the ordinary and I always challenge myself to put that twist on something myself. I am all the time looking at real world objects and wondering how I would model them. I will take some photos and in my spare time (ha ha) try and model them.
If you could give one piece of advice to anyone hoping to get started in 3D design, what would it be?
Don’t over complicate the program. Start off small and grow from there. I always tell folks I keep getting better because I make too many mistakes. You learn from those and climb to be better.
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