We sat down with the ever busy creative leader and founder of Canopy to ask a few questions that clients usually want to know the answers to.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in the creative arts? I have always been passionate about the creative arts, I have a background in 3D art and design with an advanced diploma of professional 3D Art production i earned from the Academy of Interactive Entertainment in Melbourne Australia where i am from. I have been working as a professional 3D artist and creative for over a decade now and have always been drawn to pushing the boundaries and exploring new mediums and technologies in my work. I've worked for some of the largest digital arts and creative companies in the industry such as Electronic Arts (EA), Weta Workshop, Magic Leap, Skydance Interactive, The ABC, and many more both home and abroad.
How did you come up with the idea for Canopy Creative, and what makes it unique in the market? Canopy Creative was founded on the idea of using cutting-edge technology to create immersive and engaging experiences that can captivate and inspire audiences, sharing what the immersive media and entertainment industries have learnt to create more engaging products for other business' with ease and cost effective approaches as our focus. Our focus on #3D art, #VirtualReality, and #AugmentedReality sets us apart in the market and allows us to push the boundaries of what is possible in the creative and immersive fields. We are passionate about interactive media and combine over 65+ years of experience at our senior levels. We are an end to end interactive media studio. If you need anything from Metaverse to Medieval. Canopy has you covered.
What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a freelancer and creative director, and how have you overcome them? As a 3D artist and creative director, one of the biggest challenges I've faced is securing consistent work and steady income. Creative work can be unpredictable and it can be difficult to plan for the future when you don't have a steady stream of work. Additionally, as a creative director, it can be challenging to manage a team of freelancers and ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. I've found it helpful to network and build relationships, as well as to diversify my services to offer a wider range of options to potential clients. I've also found it helpful to use project management tools to stay organized and on top of deadlines, and to communicate regularly with my team to make sure everyone is on track. Additionally, I make sure to set aside a portion of canopy's earnings to save for leearning and growth. This keeps the spears and swords at canopy sharp, along with the minds of our team.
Your agency specializes in 3D art, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality. Can you explain the differences between these mediums, and how you use them in your work? Sure, the main difference between 3D art, Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) is the way they are experienced by the viewer. 3D art is a type of digital art that is created using specialized software and is meant to be viewed on a screen, such as a computer monitor or television. VR, on the other hand, is a fully immersive experience that is created using specialized hardware and software, allowing the viewer to feel like they are inside the digital environment. AR, on the other hand, is a type of technology that overlays digital information on top of the real world, allowing the viewer to see both the real world and the digital information at the same time. The Canopy Creative team specializes in creating 3D art, VR experiences, and AR applications for a wide range of clients. We use 3D art to create high-quality visuals for our clients, such as product renders and architectural visualizations. We use VR to create fully immersive experiences, such as training simulations and interactive product demonstrations. And we use AR to create applications that enhance the real world with digital information, such as retail experiences and interactive instruction manuals. Overall, we believe that these mediums are powerful tools for creating engaging and interactive experiences, and we are constantly exploring new ways to use them in our work.
Can you describe your approach to working with clients and team members on creative projects? Our approach at canopy is simple. Working with clients and team members on creative projects is centered around collaboration and partnership. We believe that the best work is produced when we all work together to bring a shared vision to life. We are a one stop shop, but that doesnt mean we are a pigeon hole studio, we prefer to partner with our clients to get the absolute best out of our team and the project idea. We often fall back on standard services but from a team mentality perspective, everything we do is in the spirit of partnership and shared responsibility to make awesome products.
Can you share any advice for aspiring creatives who are looking to start their own freelance business or agency? One piece of advice I would offer to aspiring creatives looking to start their own freelance business or agency is to focus on a specific niche or area of expertise within the broader creative field. For canopy this is 3D Art for the next generation of interactive and immersive media. This will help you stand out from the competition and make it easier for potential clients to understand what you offer. For example, by specializing in VR, AR, and 3D art, Canopy is able to differentiate itself from other agencies and position itself as a leader in these emerging technologies, even tho we adjunct our services with more bespoke offers, this is to support the primary focus and execution, an awesome product that is stunning and engaging. Also be nice to people.
What are some of the exciting developments and trends that you see on the horizon for the creative industries, and how do you plan to stay ahead of the curve in your own work? I am always on the lookout for exciting developments and trends in the creative industries. One of the most exciting developments that I see on the horizon is the continued growth and advancement of virtual and augmented reality technology, which has the potential to pave the way for the creation of the metaverse - a virtual universe where people can live, work, and interact with each other in a fully immersive digital environment. Another trend that I am excited about is the increasing demand for immersive and interactive experiences in the creative industries. As people become more accustomed to living in a digital world, they are looking for new and innovative ways to engage with content and connect with others. I believe that virtual and augmented reality technology, as well as the development of the metaverse, can play a key role in meeting this demand by creating truly immersive experiences that allow people to fully immerse themselves in a digital world. In terms of staying ahead of the curve in my own work, I plan to continue to stay abreast of the latest developments and trends in the creative industries, including the emergence of the metaverse, NeRF technologies and AR Wearables. This will involve staying up to date with the latest research and developments as well as keeping an eye on emerging trends in the broader creative industries. Additionally, I plan to continue to experiment and push the boundaries of what is possible here at canopy, in order to create unique and engaging experiences for our clients and customers we have to be at the forefront of the development of the metaverse...... and we are.
Can you tell us a bit about your creative process, and how you go about collaborating with clients and other members of your team to bring a project to life? At Canopy Creative, our creative process is centered around collaboration and partnership with our clients and team members. We believe that the best work is produced when we all work together to bring an incredible shared vision to life. When we begin a new project, the first step is to clearly define the goals and objectives of the project with the client. This helps us understand their vision and ensures that we are aligned on what we are trying to achieve. Next, we work with the client to develop a detailed plan and timeline for the project. This includes identifying key milestones and establishing a clear process for communication and feedback. Once we have a plan in place, we begin the creative process. This typically involves a combination of brainstorming sessions, concept development, and testing and iteration. We use a variety of tools and techniques to explore different ideas and arrive at the best solution for the project. Throughout the creative process, we stay in close communication with the client and involve them in key decision-making. This ensures that their vision is reflected in the final product and that they are satisfied with the results. Finally, we work with the client to implement and launch the project. This may involve creating final assets, integrating the project into existing systems, and providing support and training as needed. Overall, our creative process is focused on collaboration, communication, and continuous improvement. We believe that this approach allows us to deliver the best possible results for our clients. If youd like more detailed information on how we work reach out and request a free info package from the team at contact@canopycreative.design.
What do you enjoy most about working in the creative field, and what keeps you motivated and inspired on a daily basis? I find that the most enjoyable aspect of my work is the ability to constantly push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of technology and art. I am constantly inspired by the potential of these mediums to transport people to new worlds, to tell new stories in new and immersive ways, and to create experiences that are truly unique. On a daily basis, what keeps me motivated and inspired is the opportunity to work with a talented team of artists, developers, and designers who share my passion for creating incredible experiences and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in our field.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives that you're particularly excited about and that you'd like to share with our audience? Well that one i will have to keep close to my chest. We have some really big things in the works even as a young up and coming studio, keep an eye out for us and remember. From Metaverse to Medieval. Canopy has you Covered.
