Heera Taak, a 3D motion designer, opened up about his career journey and the steps he took to achieve his profession. 

Based in London, UK, Heera Taak is a skilled and passionate 3D Motion Designer and Creative Director. Inspired by his father, who is also a Creative Director and Designer, his journey into design began at a young age. This early exposure to his father’s work ignited his fascination and led him to also pursue a career in design. His passion for 3D design came at university, which led him to work with renowned companies such as Marvel and Netflix. With over 10 years of design experience, he now operates as a full-time designer in his own studio, HTaak Studios.

Read more as Heera shares his experience as a 3D motion designer and his life philosophy and advice.

Heera's workspace setup with ScreenBar Halo

Can you share your fixed routine when creating a piece of work?

The beginning aspect of creating a piece of work is quite hectic, as I start with a brainstorming session to formulate an approach to tackle the project. Upon receiving the brief along with mood boards and references, I dedicate time to sketches and begin thinking about how I am going to approach the video or animation. Once completed, I will send my sketches to the client for approval. This is when I will initiate the 3D modelling process. My next step is to concentrate on crafting rough shot layouts for an animatic. Then comes the fun part of incorporating lighting and textures.

Do you ever experience periods where you lack ideas, and if so, where do you typically find inspiration for your creative ideas?

This happens more than you think, but with AI assistants like Midjourney and Dolly, they help me when I'm lacking ideas. They're never the finished article, but rather a great starting point. I use these platforms much like others would use Pinterest to gather inspiration and materials for an extensive mood board.   However, my main source of inspiration is film, and no one does it better than Disney or Marvel, especially in terms of graphics and storytelling. I watch five to six movies a week, spanning from the early eighties to the present day, because you never know what might spark something inside you.   Additionally, I draw a lot of inspiration from music. I have an eclectic taste in this art form, which really helps when I need a source of inspiration. For example, if I'm working on a beauty brand, listening to classical music helps me get into the right mindset. On the other hand, if I'm working on an energy drink project, more fast-paced music like House, Hip Hop, and Dance gives me that sense of motivation needed.

Heera creating his works

We've seen that you've collaborated with various companies such as Marvel and Netflix. Can you share a project that you're most proud of?

My most notable project was when I worked on a Netflix title sequence. This project, in particular, was a significant moment for me as it allowed me to showcase everything I'd learned up to that point, and I just went for it.   I remember grappling with imposter syndrome at the time, questioning whether I was good enough for the job. However, as the days passed and as the shots were completed, that doubt quickly faded away. I found myself so energized by what I was creating that I finished sections in a matter of days that would have normally taken weeks.   One recollection comes to mind regarding a car shot. There was a significant amount of smoke that needed to be simulated, and I was using a 1080ti, which took over 16 hours to cache. This was a defining moment in my career as I never imagined creating a title sequence for one of the biggest streaming platforms out there. I’m still very proud of what I achieved.   I would love to do it all again to see how much I’ve improved. Progression is my main driver; it’s one of my main motivators that pushes me to make time to continue learning new techniques, knowing there is an end goal to reach.

What is the most interesting part of being a 3D motion designer?

The most interesting part of being a 3D Motion Designer is that every day is different, and that is the best thing about it. Not only that, but I also get to see my work, what feels like, everywhere, which is obviously very fun. Your work never stops being appreciated, even if someone else improves it and takes it to the next step. You always have a sense of, 'I’ve worked on that' and that’s amazing.   Being a 3D Motion Designer allows me to express myself in the most creative way I know how, and I even use my Instagram as a diary, tracking my progress and allowing it to be my source of art therapy.

‘’Every day is different, and that is the best thing about it.’’

What is the most challenging part of being a 3D motion designer? How did you manage to overcome the challenges?

The most challenging part of being a 3D Motion Designer is keeping up with new technology. There’s always something new coming out, whether it's AI, an update to a program, a new additional feature, or something that can be integrated into your work. The way I stay on top of this is by following my top three favourite artists who are always testing, programming, and coming up with new ways to make things simpler and easier. I spend at least one hour a day researching on platforms like YouTube to find out how I can approach certain subjects, how not to do something, and the best way to do something.

What do you think are the 3 key factors of success?

First, never stop learning. That’s why I spend one hour a day learning something new. Second, always seek inspiration, whether it's by visiting galleries, exploring something new, or watching a movie. Lastly, never be afraid to ask for help. I ask for help all the time, whether it's on Instagram or when I see something amazing. I'll ask, "How did you do that?" Even if you only receive a response 10-20% of the time, it all still helps you reach your end goal. It doesn’t matter how much help you get because we all need assistance at some point, so never be afraid.

‘’Never stop learning, never be afraid of asking for help.’’

Heera's triple-monitor setup

Regarding the tools for designers, what are some of the items that you consider to be must-haves as 3D motion designer?

I consider the following as must-haves: staying on top of technological trends, having a powerful computer—whether it be a Mac or a PC—a decent keyboard, speakers, and monitor, and most importantly, you need a sketchbook, pen, or pencil.   For me, a speaker is paramount as sound is everything when creating for a brand or as personal art. A good monitor is also important; whether it's one, two, or more, you need to ensure that the colours are highly accurate so that what you deliver to the client is true to brief.

How long do you typically sit in front of the monitor, and are you currently experiencing any occupational injuries?

I love my work so much that I typically sit for 8-9 hours a day at my desk during the workweek. On weekends, I can be there for at least 10 hours, if not more.   My eyesight is my biggest problem, to the extent that I now wear glasses because I've strained my eyes so much from staring at my monitors all day. Thankfully, the ScreenBar Halo monitor light bar now effortlessly assists me as it has reduced the amount I strain my eyes in low light by providing indirect illumination to the back wall and the screen's front, significantly lowering the amount of glare.

Heera's studio setup with ScreenBar Halo and e-Reading Desk Lamp

How long have you been using ScreenBar Halo and e-Reading Desk Lamp? What do you think about them?

I've been using the ScreenBar Halo and e-Reading Desk Lamp for about 7 months now, and it's been brilliant. The dimming switches and temperature control are easy to use and very sleek. Despite having LEDs scattered throughout my office, there's a certain appeal to having a singular light source. I've found that it provides a soothing experience, keeping my desk free of additional wires.

As a designer, how do our ScreenBar Halo and e-Reading Desk Lamp help you during your work?

The ScreenBar Halo has proven incredibly helpful. Now, I can comfortably view my equipment without needing to illuminate the entire room, and its backlight feature effectively reduces stress. My favourite feature of the ScreenBar Halo is its controller, which synchronizes automatically.   The e-Reading Desk Lamp is ideal for sketching or jotting down notes. Inspired by minimalism and economical studio layouts, my U-shaped desk allows me to work in various directions—writing ideas on the left side and engaging in 3D work on the right. Even my room design is meticulously crafted in 3D to ensure everything fits perfectly!   Additionally, setting up and controlling the e-reading lamp is intuitive. Since my main monitors are also BenQ, the seamless integration of all BenQ products in my setup is truly remarkable. It seems I've become quite the BenQ ambassador.

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"Dive in, don’t be afraid to ask questions." - Heera

Would you mind sharing a motto that represent your philosophy of being a 3D artist?

I often share this insight with those struggling mentally: “what you put in, is what you get out.” Whether it's dedicating time and effort daily, seeking inspiration and generating ideas, or engaging in various activities, the principle remains the same. The effort you put in directly correlates to the outcomes you achieve.

What do you think are the 3 key factors of success?

Don’t be afraid to dive in and experiment, as an example find a premade scene, dissect it, break it, and put it back together. You never know what you might discover. Set a goal focused on mastering a particular technique, brainstorm an idea that incorporates that technique, and then attempt to execute it. This hands-on approach is the best way to learn.   In short, don’t hold yourself back. Be curious, ask questions, and definitely check out free tutorials on YouTube. My biggest advice is to never hesitate to reach out and ask for help. Remember, asking for and offering assistance is crucial because nobody knows everything.

‘’Dive in and don’t be afraid. You won't know the result until you give it a shot.’’