Architectural Portraits / Mario Manzi - Antonio Spataro Interview

Renderwow - 7/13/18 18:40

Hi! We are AP - Architectural Portraits (Mario Manzi, Antonio Spataro), an architectural visualisation studio which designs images of unbuilt spaces and architecture.

We design images which tell stories

Our passion is also our work.

1. What 3D modelling programs do you use?

We basically use Cinema 4D. Mario was a 3D Studio Max user but he migrated in Cinema last year. We also use Marvelous Designer, for clothes and other “soft” stuff, and Daz3D, another really cool software.

2. Is there a program you prefer above everything else?

We could not work without Cinema 4D and V-Ray. In our opinion these softwares are both user friendly and allow to achieve remarkable results.

3. What rendering software do you use, and why?

We use V-Ray, but we are going to learn Corona, especially for some kind of scenes.

4. Through your years what was your most memorable project?

This is our first year as professional visualizers. We like to work for our customers, but we can really express ourselves in our personal projects. There are many images to which we are linked, but we would say that among the most successful are Rainy Cube, the Casa del Fascio series and some images that we’ve done for architectural competitions.

5. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now in this industry?

This is a really good question. Our industry moves very fast, softwares becomes more and more powerful day by day. We do not have the crystal ball to see the future, but we think that the industry is moving more and more in the direction of VR and AR. Probably we will do less and less still images and more animations and VR images that give immersive experiences.

6. Any tips you can offer to artists out there that can help them in this industry?

We can say that, if you are really passionate, this is the most beautiful job in the world. So study, attend courses (not just tutorials!), watch movies, read books, go to art exhibitions, take pictures (not just selfies!). Be curious. Experiment and have fun. Do not be afraid of confrontation with more experienced people, show your work to people who can give you sincere judgments (not just to mom and dad). This is the real key, at least in our work and in our experience.

7. Is there anything you would do differently in the past that would help the way you design now?

We are happy with the path we have taken, even if we are aware that the road is still long. And we like it!

8. What is your favorite place to get your textures from?

We don’t know, maybe Poliigon. But we can find a lot of good stuff on textures.com and in some other not so famous websites.

9. Have you got inspiration from other artists? If so, who?

Being inspired by something or someone is fundamental to our work.Of course, there are a lot of artists that we value and that are a source of inspiration with their work. 3d artists like MIR.no, The Boundary, Arqui9, Adam Martinakis, Bertrand Benoit, The French Monkey, Peter Guthrie and our teacher Angelo Ferretti inspire us every day with their precious work.

We also look to artists working in other fields such as Wes Anderson, Paolo Sorrentino, Wim Wenders, Stanley Kubrick, Gabriele Basilico. And the list could go on much longer.