Can an accountant really teach himself to become an award-winning 3D digital designer? Yes, Joe Lo does. He is not only a digital designer, but also a digital artist. He has created a number of digital artworks from scratch and presented them aesthetically with his beautiful digital art technique.
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, few stories are as compelling as Joe Lo’s, a former accountant who transformed his life to become an award-winning 3D digital artist. Joe’s career journey is nothing short of inspirational. It is a testament to the power of passion, diligence, and persistence. His commitment to mastering the complexities of digital art has not only earned him industry recognition but also positioned him as a rising entrepreneur in the digital art space.
The allure of digital art
Digital art is a form of artistic expression that utilises digital technology as part of the creative or presentation process. Unlike traditional art forms, where artists rely on tangible tools like brushes and canvases, digital artists work with pixels, vectors, and a vast array of software tools. This modern medium requires a deep understanding of colour theory, composition, visual storytelling, 3D modelling, texturing, rendering, and even coding. For many, mastering these diverse skills might seem daunting, but for Joe Lo, it was a challenge that he embraced wholeheartedly.
A self-taught artist with a passion for learning
Joe’s foray into digital art is particularly inspiring because he is entirely self-taught. While many digital artists follow a formal educational path, Joe took a different route, learning through online tutorials, experimenting with software, and immersing himself in the digital art community. His commitment to sharing knowledge is evident in his active YouTube channel, where he generously shares tips and techniques with aspiring artists. Joe’s openness to collaboration and mutual improvement sets him apart in an industry where competition is often fierce.
The unlikely path from accounting to art
Before Joe became a digital artist, he worked as an accountant. The analytical and meticulous nature of accounting is a stark contrast to the fluid and expressive nature of art. Yet, Joe’s ability to switch careers so successfully speaks to his adaptability and determination. His success in the digital art world is a result of years of perseverance, learning, and a relentless pursuit of his passion.
Collaboration with Reallusion and beyond
One of Joe’s significant achievements came in 2020 when he participated in a 3D character design competition hosted by Reallusion and ArtStation. His work not only won the grand prize but also opened doors to further collaboration with Reallusion, a leading company in the digital art industry. Joe was invited to become one of their featured developers and later transitioned into a commercial partner. This partnership allowed Joe to showcase his work on a larger platform, expanding his creative horizons and establishing his professional influence in the industry.
The drive behind Joe’s digital art
When asked about his motivation to enter the world of 3D digital art, Joe recalls his fascination with 3D design from a young age. He was particularly captivated by video games like “Final Fantasy”, where intricate character designs and immersive worlds sparked his imagination. This early love for gaming and virtual worlds fuelled his desire to create his own digital realms that are the places filled with adventure, love, and peace. Joe’s vision was clear. He wanted to use his skills to craft worlds where people could escape reality and explore new dimensions of storytelling.
Joe’s dedication to his craft is evident in his continuous learning process. For instance, mastering ZBrush, a digital sculpting tool, was no easy feat. Yet, through persistent practice and study, particularly in human anatomy, Joe honed his ability to create lifelike and detailed characters. His work in 3D digital art extends beyond personal projects, as his creations have been used in various games and films, adding to his sense of accomplishment and the impact of his artistry.
Concept, colour and light
In Joe’s opinion, the most critical aspect of 3D digital design is the concept. A strong concept, formed through extensive research and integration of different references, is the foundation of any successful design. Joe emphasises the importance of details in making characters and scenes come alive, particularly in character design, where the shape language and colour palette must align with the character’s backstory and emotional depth.
Colour and lighting also play crucial roles in Joe’s work. For instance, to convey the healing power of a character, he might use soft greens and blues to evoke a sense of calm and tranquility. In contrast, vibrant reds and oranges are used to portray characters full of energy and vigor. Joe’s ability to manipulate light and shadow adds another layer of realism and emotion to his work, making his characters not just visually striking but also narratively compelling.
One of Joe’s standout projects is his “Evil Queen” character, a blend of ancient mythology and modern elements. The character’s sharp, menacing design, complete with horns and dark wings, is enhanced by cool lighting that underscores her mysterious and intimidating presence. The detailed scars on her face and shoulders, combined with ornate jewelry and battle armor, depict a ruler who is both ruthless and regal—a powerful and multifaceted antagonist brought to life through Joe’s skillful use of 3D design elements.
Versatility in digital art styles
3D digital art is incredibly versatile, encompassing a wide range of styles beyond just the sci-fi and modern themes commonly associated with the medium. Joe’s work reflects this diversity, as he explores various artistic expressions from hyper-realism to abstract art. Whether creating characters for video games, models for architectural visualisation, or conceptual art for films, Joe’s ability to adapt his style to different genres and projects is one of his greatest strengths.
Expanding the 3D applications
While 3D digital art is well-known in the realms of video games and movies, its applications extend far beyond these industries. Joe highlights the potential of 3D digital art in architecture, where realistic models can help designers and clients visualise spaces before construction begins. In medicine, 3D models are used for surgical planning and training, and when combined with 3D printing, they can create personalized implants and prosthetics.
Education and training are also areas where 3D digital art shines, providing interactive models for subjects like molecular structures or geological formations. The fashion industry, too, benefits from 3D digital design, allowing designers to create virtual prototypes and conduct fittings on digital models, reducing waste and speeding up the design process.
In advertising, 3D digital art creates compelling visual content, from product renders to fully animated commercials. As virtual events and online exhibitions become more popular, 3D digital art also plays a crucial role in creating immersive digital experiences. Joe’s vision for the future of 3D digital art includes expanding its use in these innovative areas, bringing the benefits of digital visualisation to a broader audience.
On the path to digital art entrepreneur
Looking ahead, Joe is determined to continue growing his digital art business. He plans to expand his 3D game asset sales, collaborate with more industry partners, and explore new markets for his digital creations. His entrepreneurial spirit is fueled by a deep-seated belief in the power of art to transform industries, inspire creativity, and bring joy to people’s lives.
Joe Lo’s journey from accountant to digital artist is more than just a career change. It inspires a variety of people who want to make change in their career. It is a story of perseverance, passion, and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams.
Note: Joe Lo was interviewed on 8 August 2024. The photos were provided by Joe Lo.
Traditional Chinese Translation
如何成為獲獎的數位藝術家 – Joe Lo 邁向數位藝術創業家的旅程
一個會計師真的可以自學成為獲獎的3D數位藝術家嗎？Joe Lo 做到了。他不僅是一名數位設計師，更是一位 3D 數位藝術家。他從零開始創作了多幅數位藝術作品，並以其精美的數位藝術技術進行呈現。
在迅速發展的數位領域中，很少人像 Joe Lo 的故事那樣引人入勝。這位前會計師竟然放棄高薪厚職，自學數位藝術知識，將自己轉變為一位獲獎的 3D 數位藝術家。Joe 的職業旅程堪稱鼓舞人心，這證明了熱愛、勤奮和毅力的力量。他對掌握數位藝術的熱情，不僅為他贏得了業界認可，還使他成為數位藝術領域中非常有潛力的新興企業家。
數位藝術的魅力
數位藝術是一種利用數位技術作為創作或展示過程的藝術表達方式。與使用畫筆和畫布等實體工具的傳統藝術不同，數位藝術家使用像素、向量以及各種軟體工具來呈現藝術作品。這種現代媒介要求對色彩理論、構圖、視覺敘事、3D建模、紋理處理、渲染甚至編程有深刻的理解。對許多人來說，掌握這些多樣的技能可能看似艱鉅，但對 Joe Lo 來說，這是一個他全心投入的挑戰。
自學成才的藝術家
Joe 從事數位藝術的過程特別鼓舞人心，因為他完全是自學的。雖然許多數位藝術家會走正式的教育途徑，但 Joe 選擇了不同的道路，通過在線資訊學習、 試用軟體和參加興趣社群。 雖然他現在已經有一定的行業口碑，但他並沒有因為市場競爭而把數位藝術技巧私藏，他活躍他的數位藝術教學YouTube 頻道中，他慷慨地與有志學習人們分享技巧和技術。Joe 樂於合作和互相進步，使他在這個競爭激烈的行業中脫穎而出。
從會計到藝術的非凡之路
在成為數位藝術家之前，Joe 曾擔任會計師。會計工作的分析和細緻性與藝術的流暢和表達性形成了鮮明對比。然而，Joe 成功轉行的能力彰顯了他的適應力和決心， 及兼備不同的工作能力。他在數位藝術領域的成功是多年堅持、學習和追求熱情的結果。
與 Reallusion 合作
Joe 的轉捩點發生在 2020 年，他參加了由 Reallusion 和 ArtStation 主辦的 3D 數位角色設計比賽。他的作品不僅獲得了大獎，還為他與數位藝術領域領先公司 Reallusion 的進一步合作打開了大門。Joe 被邀請成為他們的特邀開發者，並後來轉型為商業合作夥伴。這段合作關係使 Joe 能夠在更大的平台上展示他的作品，擴展了他的創意視野，並在業界建立了專業影響力。
Joe 的數位藝術驅動力
談到他進入3D數位藝術世界的啟蒙時間，Joe 回憶起他年輕時對 3D 設計的著迷。他特別被像《Final Fantasy》這樣的遊戲所吸引，那些精緻的角色設計和沉浸式的世界激發了他的想像力。這種早期對遊戲和虛擬世界的熱愛燃起了他創造自己數位領域的願望，這些領域充滿了冒險、愛情和和平。Joe 的願景很清晰，他希望利用自己的技能創造能讓人們逃離現實並探索新敘事維度的世界。
Joe 對數位藝術的熱愛在他持續的學習過程中顯而易見。例如，掌握 ZBrush 這個數位雕塑工具並非易事。然而，通過持續的練習和學習，Joe 磨練了創造生動且細緻角色的能力。他在3D數位藝術方面的工作不僅限於個人項目，他的創作也被應用於各種遊戲和電影中，增添了他的成就感和藝術影響力。
概念、色彩與光線
在 Joe 看來，3D數位藝術創作中最重要的方面是概念。經過廣泛研究和不同參考資料的整合，形成的強大概念是成功設計及創作的基礎。Joe 強調了細節在使角色和場景栩栩如生中的重要性，尤其在角色設計中，形狀語言和色彩調色板必須與角色的背景故事和情感深度相一致。
色彩和光線在 Joe 的作品中也扮演了關鍵角色。例如，為了傳達角色的療癒力量，他可能會使用柔和的綠色和藍色來喚起平靜與寧靜的感覺。相反，鮮豔的紅色和橙色則用於描繪充滿活力和精力的角色。Joe 操控光線和陰影的能力為他的作品增添了另一層現實感和情感，使他的角色不僅在視覺上引人注目，還在敘事上具有吸引力。
Joe 的一個突出的項目是他的「邪惡女王」角色，融合了古老神話和現代元素。角色的尖銳、威脅性的設計，配有角和黑暗的翅膀，通過冷光強調了她神秘和威嚴的存在。她臉部和肩膀上的詳細傷痕，結合華麗的珠寶和戰甲，描繪了一位既殘忍又尊貴的統治者。
數位藝術風格的多樣性
3D 數位藝術具有極大的多樣性，涵蓋了超越科幻和現代主題的多種風格。Joe 的作品體現了這種多樣性，他探索了從超寫實主義到抽象藝術的各種藝術表達形式。無論是為遊戲創造角色、為建築可視化製作模型，還是為電影創作概念藝術，Joe 能夠根據不同的類型和項目調整他的風格，這是他最大的優勢之一。
擴展3D 數位應用
雖然 3D 數位藝術在遊戲和電影領域中頗具知名度，但其應用遠超過這些行業。Joe 強調了3D數位藝術在建築領域的潛力，現實模型可以幫助設計師和客戶在建設開始前可視化空間。在醫學領域，3D模型被用於手術計劃和培訓，結合 3D 列印技術，可以製作個性化的植入物和假肢。
教育和培訓也是 3D 數位藝術的亮點領域，提供了像分子結構或地質構造等學科的互動模型。時尚行業也受益於 3D 數位設計，讓設計師能夠創建虛擬原型並在數位模型上進行試穿，減少浪費，加快設計過程。
在廣告中，3D 數位藝術創造了引人注目的視覺內容，從產品渲染到完整的動畫廣告。隨著虛擬活動和線上展覽變得越來越受歡迎，3D數位藝術也在創造沉浸式數位體驗方面發揮了至關重要的作用。Joe 對 3D 數位藝術未來的願景包括擴展其在這些創新領域中的應用，將數位可視化的好處帶給更廣泛的觀眾。
邁向數位藝術企業家
展望未來，Joe 決心繼續擴展他的數位藝術業務。他計劃擴大他的 3D 遊戲資產銷售，與更多行業夥伴合作，並探索他的數位創作的新市場。他的企業家精神源自對藝術改變行業、激發創造力和帶給人們快樂的深信不疑。
Joe Lo 從會計師到數位藝術家的旅程不僅僅是一個職業變遷。它激勵著各種想在職業生涯中尋求變革的人。這是一個關於毅力、熱情和不懈追求夢想的故事。
註： 上述資訊係來自於 2024年8月8 日對 Joe Lo 的採訪。照片由 Joe Lo 提供。
