Twinbru's guide to 3D design trends

Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with giving us the saying, “The only constant in life is change.” We live in a world that moves and changes with trends because various economic, social, and environmental factors contribute to the fact that things just aren’t the same all the time. What this also means is that there’s room for learning and innovation which results in trends within 3D design.

As with any industry, staying abreast of new developments gives individuals and businesses a competitive advantage. Whether it's for creating captivating architectural visualisations, designing cutting-edge game environments, or crafting stunning graphic designs, understanding the latest trends in 3D design can allow competitors to stand out and offer unique selling points or experiences to potential clients. While we navigate through an exciting time in intersecting industries, several emerging trends are shaping the future of 3D design, offering inspiring opportunities for creativity and efficiency.

 

 

The integration of 3D design trends into various industries opens up new avenues for innovation, enabling designers to deliver more engaging and interactive experiences to their audiences. For instance, the rise of real-time rendering and virtual reality (VR) applications is transforming how architectural visualisations are presented, making it easier for clients to immerse themselves in proposed designs. Meanwhile, advancements in AI-driven tools are streamlining workflows, allowing designers to focus more on creativity rather than technical execution. Trends show more people what’s possible and give ideas on what to try next. They are also potential solutions for improving client experiences and reshaping business models to elevate the industry. 

Twinbru’s trend picks

Textures and materials 

As we set the industry standard for digital replicas of furnishing and drapery fabrics, we are naturally pleased to see the focus on textures and materials as a trend in 3D design. Our extensive process to ensure our 3D fabric textures are of the highest quality, easy to use and exhibit incredible realism is for the benefit of 3D designers seeking the best elements for their work. We’ve partnered with the world’s leading platforms and content libraries in 3D design, like Chaos Cosmos.

 

 

Chaos® Cosmos is a universe of smart content - with hundreds of high-quality models, materials and HDRI skies that work perfectly with your visualisation projects. With a growing collection of Twinbru’s fabric digital twins available for easy access, 3D designers can enjoy working with these materials that look and behave identically to their physical counterparts. But this also means 3D designers can get super creative and have fun with the textures, incorporating them into designs unique to their style. 3D designers are pushing the boundaries of what textures and materials can do, using them on shapes and designs that challenge expectations. With the right assets at their disposal, they can explore creativity in new ways.

 

Surrealism

When there’s a desire to broaden an audience’s perspective, surrealism empowers 3D designers to achieve this by redefining the ordinary and pushing creative boundaries through innovation. Surreal 3D models often juxtapose unexpected elements to craft striking, dream-like scenes. 

 Employing these techniques in 3D art can create unique and memorable experiences that captivate the viewer's imagination. By integrating surrealistic elements into products or campaigns, designers can imbue their work with dreamlike qualities that convey novelty and distinctiveness, transporting viewers into an entirely different state of mind. Through visual metaphors and symbolism, they can communicate complex ideas and emotions, resonating with audiences on a profound level.

The prominence of surrealism as a trend can be seen in the ALICE trend theme in the 2024/2025 Trends book. This theme draws heavily on the whimsical universe of Alice in Wonderland, wandering through the frequently surreal world of personal wonderment. It’s defined by funky, surreal product design, furniture, and silhouettes. Twinbru has also used this powerful visual storytelling in the creation of our utopian scenes where digital twins of fabric were utilised to craft unique narratives for brands and create enchanting scenes filled with colour and creativity.

 

 

Go big and bold 

The bright and bold maximalist approach to design is on trend because of its ability to convey emotions, set the tone, and create memorable visual experiences. Vibrant colours play a crucial role in enhancing the appeal of 3D models, making them more captivating and visually striking. Artists and designers in the 3D space are thinking on a grand scale, embracing maximalism - an approach characterised by intricate, expansive work rich in detail, colour, and texture.

Vibrant and detailed 3D compositions push the boundaries of traditional design, and the use of wild colour combinations and eye-catching patterns can create visually dynamic and immersive experiences. When used strategically, bold colours can highlight specific features or areas of interest within a model, effectively drawing attention in marketing and advertising contexts. Companies leverage this to focus viewers' eyes on particular products or messages, ensuring that their designs stand out in a crowded visual landscape.

 

 

Trends as inspiration 

It’s certainly not expected that one follows trends to the letter. They are inspiration for designers to continually learn and grow, stretching their skills and honing their craft. Trends present new ideas that can be incorporated into existing or new projects for a fresh look and feel. From a cognitive and emotional perspective, trends can certainly help convey feelings of the zeitgeist that may be harder to present using standard design principles. And, exploring the new 3D design trends, it’s also a chance for designers and artists to explore new platforms and digital assets like Twinbru’s 3D fabric textures. They are available on easily accessible platforms and, as curiosity is always on trend, it’s worthwhile to play around and see what these digital replicas of market-ready fabrics can do. 

 

 

If you’re eager to learn more about Twinbru’s digital fabrics as well as the platforms where they are available, visit our Platforms page. You can also explore our Use Cases for inspiration on how Twinbru and various avenues in 3D modelling and rendering can elevate your 3D design. 

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