Our interview with Rodrigo Rabaco.
"In my work, I feel that the more I learn about nature, psychology and physiology, the more I am able to create pieces that impact the viewers positively, with layers of complexity that maybe subtly resonate with their souls." Rodrigo Rabaco
3D images and animations are fast becoming the most powerful tools designers have to convey the important emotions that interiors can create. Working with a gifted artist like Rodrigo can elevate our design concepts to new levels, in ways that have never before been possible.
In the lead up to our Seminar Session “Harnessing the Power of 3D Visualisation” on Thursday 29th April, we sit down with our industry expert, 3D visual artist and friend of TDC, Rodrigo Rabaco to find out more about his background, and understand how his appreciation for the beauty of nature informs his magnificent work.
Seminar Session: Harnessing the Power of 3D Visualisation
Date: Thursday 29th April, 2021
Time: 4pm - 6pm
Location: Live and Online via Zoom
To register for this inspirational Seminar Session, click HERE.
TDC : Thanks for joining us today Rodrigo. We are incredibly excited to unveil your talents to our members (well, the ones who haven’t discovered you already!) in our Seminar Session this month.
You, your beautiful wife and daughter are based here in Melbourne, but you grew up in Brazil. Can you tell us how you came to end up in Australia, a bit about your background and what it was about Melbourne that attracted you so much?
RR: Thank you for the opportunity, Andrew. It’s such a pleasure to join you and the TDC team today.
I was born and raised in a countryside city called Petrópolis, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. When I was 16 years old I had the opportunity to work with a great architect and to learn a lot about design, architecture, and landscape design. This was pretty much my starting point with 3d visualisation and when I deeply connected with visual arts.
Later on, I moved to Rio to join an architectural visualisation company. After a few years, I founded a new studio inside this company, focused on the advertising industry. We had the pleasure to see some of our works winning international and national awards and the studio became well known in the advertising industry in Brazil.
In 2014, my wife and I decided to move abroad, and Melbourne was one of the cities at the top of the list because of the quality of life and the prolific architecture and design industries. We had never been to Australia before and after some research, we decided it was the right place for us.
The whole planning process took us around 2 and a half years to organise our lives, work and finances. In 2016 we arrived in Melbourne and it has been one of the best experiences of our lives. We are very grateful and happy to live in this amazing country.
TDC: You’re collaborating with some established designers here in Australia, including our director Andrew Mitchell, our good friends at Grazia and Co and a couple of other companies to be announced soon. How do you find the nature of work differs between the two countries?
RR: There are many interesting differences between Australia and Brazil when it comes to architecture, design and 3D.
Although a rough generalisation, one example is that in Brazil it is common to see architecture, urban design and landscape design altogether in one single course in Universities. This leads to more generalist professionals and Brazilians tend to be positively seen in that regard in other countries.
On the other hand, it creates a lack of practicality and a bigger gap between university and the workplace, which inevitably leads to the necessity of further specialisation.
At the time I left high school, there were no 3D graduation courses in Brazil and I have been developing my knowledge and skills by studying books about art, attending workshops and by working in the industry from a young age.
In Australia, I think there is a clear division between each profession and the level of specialisation is much higher, which creates a more practical approach to design and a significantly more efficient work environment. I believe the movement from Uni to the workplace is much more seamless as well.
I would say that Australians and Brazilians have many complementary cultural aspects, and by identifying that I found a way to learn and integrate them to improve my approach to working here.
TDC: Your business tagline is “Helping brands to visually tell their stories”. Why is this so important, especially in today’s competitive market?
RR: We are living exciting and challenging times. The creative industry is mature, the consumer market is well informed, high-quality products and services are the standard, and competitiveness is at its highest levels.
In addition, the Internet has created a global market and it’s rapidly taking apart the intermediates, compressing margins, and accelerating the growth (and the breakdown) of businesses.
In the past, being client-centric, delivering quality, and having a good communication strategy was enough for a company to be successful. Nowadays, these are only the first steps to join the game.
We all have so many high-level competitors that the only way to thrive is by having a distinct and relevant brand, and deeply understanding our target audience.
Our success in the future will depend on how well we translate and embed our personal identities and specialities into the businesses we run. “How we do what we do”, and “who we are” are more and more relevant to our business. This is particularly true for small and mid-sized businesses and niche markets.
TDC: Can you tell us a bit about your business, and explain what do you think is different and special about it?
RR: It took me a long time to realise that the core of my business is not 3d, animation or design.
Although they are the final product, what I try to do with my work is to create audiovisual pieces that blend my clients’ needs, values and products with my own identity, aesthetic and perspective on their businesses to create something that is truly iconic and unique.
High-end 3d visualisation, animation and design are becoming a commodity nowadays since we have an abundance of great professionals everywhere.
If there is a way to build our space in the market and not have to think about competition is by sharing what is really unique: Our spirits manifested in every part of our businesses.
The “only” challenge we have is to find out what this spirit is and what is unique about it..
TDC: You are also an accomplished artist, musician and all-round creative high achiever! Explain to us the idea of biomimicry and how that represents itself in your art.
RR: Biomimicry is a field of science and a completely new approach to how we see life and design. The concept started in the mid-1950s and developed further in the 1990s by scientists realising that nature incorporates highly advanced technology in its designs.
It’s easy to be misled by the rawness and apparent chaos present in nature and to think that there is no technology in biology and matter. In practical terms, Biomimicry is already being used in a great number of industries, from construction, engineering, fashion to design and architecture.
We are starting to look at birds to build more efficient trains and airplanes; at sharks to develop wetsuits; at the structure of leaves to find out how to create self-cleaning materials; at butterflies’ colours to develop coloured materials without pigments; at whale's fins to create more efficient wind turbines.
What we are discovering is that through billions of years of evolution, Earth holds in its core, highly technological solutions for almost every problem we face until this day. Secrets that it solved superbly well and that only now we are opening our eyes to see.
This truly resonates with my spiritual beliefs that Nature is clearly the consequence of an intelligent cause, and because of that, nothing is the result of chance or randomness, although our minds push us to think that.
In my work, I feel that the more I learn about nature, psychology and physiology, the more I am able to create pieces that impact the viewers positively, with layers of complexity that maybe subtly resonate with their souls.
Nature is efficient, elegant, and sophisticated. Clearly a product of a much higher intelligence than ours.
TDC: You have worked with us to produce a stunning 3D graphic that forms the foundation of our branding (which readers can see on our home page). We’ve also been working on an exciting 3D animation to launch the online classes for TDC later this year (watch this space!). What does the future of 3D animation offer to the interior design industry?
RR: While images can certainly stimulate our minds, animation has the power to overwhelm our senses and to connect directly to our soul. Music and moving pictures drive our attention, emotions and experience and tend to be much more relevant than images.
High-end 3D animation offers the possibility of connecting to the viewer on a much deeper level and communicating what can’t be articulated by words, or even by a 3d still rendering.
In more practical terms, since we all buy with our hearts, to only after that justify the purchase with our minds, it is by far the most powerful marketing tool a designer can use. Both for project visualisation or marketing communication.
With the advancements of technology, we will see more and more designers making use of it.
TDC: You’ve been a member of the TDC community for years now and have attended Masterclasses and participated in our coaching services. As a creative business owner, running a small business, how important is being a part of a community?
RR: Arriving in Australia and not having English as my first language created challenges for me. At that time, it was common to feel insecure and to create barriers that, in reality, existed only inside my head.
Being part of a community of like-minded people is one of the most important things to me, and TDC has had a great impact on my business, on my relationships with the market and in helping me to build my confidence.
The coaching sessions with Andrew were really valuable and helped me understand the Australian market, validate my business plan and build the confidence I needed.
From the amazing Masterclasses to a great friendship with Andrew and the team, I am very happy and proud to be part of this incredible community.
I can’t wait to see what’s coming in the near future!
TDC: What exciting things are on the horizon for you, your family and your business?
RR: I am so grateful to be living this unique moment in my life with my 8-month old daughter and my amazing partner, that I can only think about being present to participate in every stage of her development.
Professionally speaking, I’m very happy to have started my business here in Melbourne last year. It’s been great to see it getting some traction with works from companies and people I truly admire and respect.
I can only think about growing it sustainably and consolidating a relevant brand in the national and international markets.
Creatively, I have a long-term dream that still feels very far away but that doesn’t get out of my head. I want to create low-budget high-end films using the most advanced technology and computer graphics to tell the stories that now can only live inside my head.
It might be at least 10 years away, but I already can visualise this happening and I am preparing and developing my skills to make this dream come true.
We are thankful to have the opportunity to work with Rodrigo, are fortunate to have him in our community, and can't wait to share his talents with our Members.
If you have any topics that you'd like covered by our Seminar Series, let us know by emailing hello@thedesigncoach.com.au
Time & Location
Seminar Session: Harnessing the Power of 3D Visualisation
Date:
Thursday 29 April 2021
Time:
4pm - 6pm
Live & Online via Zoom
Register for this Seminar Session, click HERE.
(All images have been provided by Rodrigo Rabaco.)
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