While the world’s Olympians get ready for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Tornado Studio takes the gold medal in 3D modeling with this downhill skier, our newest featured image. We were happy to get to talk with Martin Kostov, the founder and CEO of Tornado Studio, whose team has contributed a lot of great CheckMate models to the TurboSquid catalog.
How long have you been an artist, and how did you get started in 3D?
I have been a 3D artist for more than 10 years now.
While I was in high school I came a across an image of a satellite in space that I thought was a real photo. To my surprise, it was a 3D rendering and that astonished me. At that point I decided that this was what I want to do in life. Not long after I started exploring 3ds Max, I found about TurboSquid and the possibilities of selling 3D assets.
Do you have any advice for other modelers? What do you think is most important for artists who make 3D models?
We are all in this together– try to find your own part of the market, make only products that you would buy if you were the customer, and never copy other people’s work.
The main advice I have for people who want to be successful is to take the time to study references and create quality products. If you do end up making a product that other people have as well, at least try to make it better looking and match the price, or go higher.
How long have you been with TurboSquid? Would you or have you recommended TurboSquid to others?
I’ve been a seller on Turbosquid for the last 9 years or so, the market has grown and changed a lot since then, but my answer to, ” Where should I sell my 3D stock? ” hasn’t changed at all. TurboSquid is the only place I would sell my models, even if I was starting again today, knowing what I now know.
What has been your experience with CheckMate? Do you have any opinions on CheckMate Pro v1 versus Pro v2?
My team and I were one of the first vendors to try the CheckMate certification process before it was even public. My reaction then was… that this kind of differentiation for the quality of products is exactly what the market needs. Now, a few years later, CheckMate has proven to be the right path for anyone who is serious about selling 3D.
TurboSquid has shared statistics from the CheckMate sales, relative to the sales of the other 95% of the models, and you don’t have to be an expert to see that the future is in certified 3D stock. Clients want to buy a product that will do the job they need, without problems, and this is what Checkmate guarantees.
Even moreso with the new Pro v2, the quality standard has risen yet again. TurboSquid is doing an amazing job in leading the new developments in the industry and we at Tornado Studio feel privileged to be in the Squid Guild and sell exclusively in the best 3D market place there is. If there is something I would recommend for Checkmate V3 is that submissions for CheckMate certification be checked for “copycat” and “defective pricing” signs.
You have a lot of sports equipment in your catalog. Do you have any must-watch winter sports? What events to you like the best at the Winter Olympics?
We at Tornado Studio are big sports fans– we love watching and playing sports. My personal favorite discipline from the Winter Olympics is Ski Jumping. I can only imagine what feelings the athletes experience while sliding down the ramp and jumping in the air. If I ever get the chance to ski jump myself, I would gladly try it out.
Want to see your CheckMate Pro Certified Model featured on the TurboSquid Home Page? Anything is possible if you just SUBMIT YOUR MODEL!