Interview with Vitaly Shytnev from United States

Danyang Ma | MUSE Design Awards
Interview with Danyang Ma from United States
August 22, 2023
Lucille Yutien Huang | MUSE Creative Awards
Interview with Lucille Yutien Huang for The Genius of Leonardo da Vinci
August 24, 2023

Vitaly Shytnev

Vitaly Shytnev hold roles as an Art Director, Motion Graphic Designer, and 3D Artist and over the last 15 years, he crafted successful projects across advertising, motion design, interactive design, and post-production with renowned clients like Disney, EA Sports, Kelly Blue Book, NCAA, and Minnesota Timberwolves.



Interview with the 2023 NYX Video Awards Winner -
Vitaly Shytnev

1Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your background.

My name is Vitaly Shytnev. I’m an Art Director, Motion Graphic Designer and 3D Artist. Originally I’m from Belarus and for the past 15 years I have created award-winning projects in the fields of advertising, motion design, interactive design and post production.

Six years ago, I made my move to Los Angeles where I worked as a Freelance Art Director and 3D animator for a number of Los Angeles-based companies like Zambezi LA , Watson DG, Troika, The Famous Group for a high profile clients such as Disney, EA Sports, Kelly Blue Book, NCAA, Minnesota Timberwolf’s etc.

3D Animation has been my focus for the last few years but for the last 2 years, I’ve been working for a company called PREGMATE as a Creative/Art Director/3D Animator that is based in Miami.

2What led you to become a 3d Artist professional?

With nearly two decades of experience in various aspects of design, including teaching and working for various agencies and production houses, I figured out that when I work on 3d project, time definitely flies.

My academic background is in art and design, combined with practical experience as a motion graphic designer and 3D artist, it has allowed me to develop creative concepts from scratch and bring them to life through 3D animation.

3What is your role in the agency, and what traits should a 3D Artist professional possess to be successful in their role?

To excel as a 3D Artist, a professional should possess a strong foundation in design principles, including composition, color theory and lighting. Additionally, they should be proficient in industry-standard software such as Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, or ZBrush, and possess an understanding of modeling, texturing and rendering techniques.

A successful 3D Artist should have strong problem-solving skills and be able to work effectively under pressure to meet tight deadlines. They should also be able to communicate effectively with clients, directors and other team members and be receptive to feedback and constructive criticism.

4Tell us more about your agency / company.

PREGMATE distributes ovulation and pregnancy testing kits as well as other In Vitro Diagnostic products. Our over-the-counter fertility tests are known for excellent quality and its user-friendly design.

The main mission at PREGMATE is to construct first-class products while providing outstanding customer service. We want to accomplish this while enjoying life and maintaining exceptional health.

5What is your own definition of great 3D Art?
A great 3D artwork for me should also have a sense of realism or believability, even in situations where the subject matter is fantastical or surreal. The artist should pay attention to detail and ensure that every element of the piece, from the textures to the lighting, contributes to the overall aesthetic and message of the artwork.
6Tell us more about your ideation process.

I begin my creative process by grasping the problem at hand and directing my attention to the essential information that needs to be conveyed to the audience. The way I generate ideas varies depending on the project at hand. For client projects with a specific task and deadline, I typically divide the process into stages and start with mind-mapping and then brainstorming.

This is a fascinating process where I identify several key directions and write down or sketch any idea that comes to mind. After that, the ideas go through a selection process, leaving only three concepts. From there, I delve into developing those three concepts further and present them to the client.

7Congratulations! As the winner of the NYX Video Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?

This award is an undeniable confirmation for our team that the knowledge we applied and the time we devoted to creating this project was not in vain and it will be able to help many women around the world in such an important aspect of their lives as childbirth.

I would like to personally thank the general producer of the project, my colleague and friend Viktar Marozau. Working with him was a wonderful experience and in his role as a producer, he played a significant part in elevating this video to an outstanding level.

8What are the current trends in the 3D Graphics industry that you are most excited about?

I was really surprised and exited when I started to learn Unreal Engine. Its real-time rendering capabilities have revolutionized the field of 3D graphics and visualization. With Unreal Engine's real-time rendering, artists and developers can see their creations rendered instantly as they make changes, providing immediate visual feedback.

This level of visual fidelity has made Unreal Engine a popular choice not only for game development but also for architectural visualization, film production, virtual reality experiences, and other industries requiring realistic graphics.

9What are the top three (3) favorite things about the 3d Art?

I would say that engaging in 3D art introduces an unparalleled sense of depth and realism, a challenge often unattainable in the realm of 2D creations.

3D art provides an opportunity for an artist to explore and develop their skills in various directions and beyond based on the abilities and preferences of each individual artist. There's a reason why 3D modeling artists are referred to as artists. Their expertise lies in crafting visuals that profoundly influence our perception of the products we purchase, and they excel in their craft.

Embracing an open-minded approach in this regard can bring substantial time and cost savings for product manufacturers while also fostering a deep sense of admiration and trust among customers.

10What resources would you recommend to someone who is searching to improve their 3D ideas and skills?

For me, one of the main resources for 3D artists is undoubtedly ArtStation.com. This platform serves not only as a space to showcase your works and the process behind them but also provides invaluable feedback from other artists whose work you admire. The community's response to your daily progress is an integral part of your growth as a professional.

Additionally, I regularly browse Behance.net, mainly for inspiration and gathering references. I also frequently explore thematic channels on YouTube and listen to certain podcasts, such as The Collective Podcast, where artists share insights into their workflow and what inspires them.

11Where do you see the evolution of the 3d in the next 5-10 years?
I believe that the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role in the evolution of 3D. AI has the potential to streamline the process of creating 3D models and take over many complex and time-consuming tasks related to modeling, texturing, and animation. However, I would be cautious to say that AI will completely replace artists.

Winning Entry

Ovulation Explained | How ovulation works? | 2023

Ovulation-Explained-_-How-ovulation-works-

It has been found through research that approximately 40% of women experience confusion regarding the relationship …
(read more at NYX Video Awards)

Vitaly Shytnev

Vitaly Shytnev hold roles as an Art Director, Motion Graphic Designer, and 3D Artist and over the last 15 years, he crafted successful projects across advertising, motion design, interactive design, and post-production with renowned clients like Disney, EA Sports, Kelly Blue Book, NCAA, and Minnesota Timberwolves.


Read more about this interview with James Mellor from the United Kingdom, the Gold Winner of the 2022 NYX Video Awards.

Muse.World