6/02: Yoke and Kulturhuset

Yoke was one of our studio tour visits. They were focusing on making motion design and 3D assets. They want the audience to be engaged on their interactive designs on special events. They installed their work from museums in Denmark. When I first saw their title name, I wander why they name their own studio company called Yoke. I was interested to get to know who they are and what is their main purpose.

After we parked our bikes and came into their studio, we watched their presentation of their works. I really admire how they make some inspiring works such as the Dandelion, Sky Q Interactive, and Melting Memories. It reminds me of how my animation program taught me on some simulation effects and MASH network. For the Dandelion piece, it reminded me when I worked on one of the 3D softwares I used the most in my program which was Autodesk Maya. It contains 3D modeling, animation, surface material for texturing, lighting, rendering, and MASH network. For MASH network, it has other effects that can animate multiple models per frame. When the dandelion spread the small pappus (dandelion's fluffy particles), it moves freely. It made me wander what software they used. I may not be a Digital Design major but their techniques seems like a mixture of both Digital Design and 3D Graphics. When I saw their Sky Q Interactive project and the Melting Memories project, it contains some liquid effects. It almost reminded me of how I used Houdini on creating water effects. I was not fond of using Houdini much, but I learned some simulations such as fire effects. I worked on water simulation only for melting an object. For them, they may have used different software to create these interactive designs. I like how Melting Memories was very moving. If I was watching it at a museum in person, I feel their work is very pleasant and calm, and I could be gazing at it for a while. I became interested to see more of their interactive works because it has a lot of creativity, and it tells a story. That is why it lets the audience feel more engaged. Lastly, I saw one of their projects called LEGO campus. They created the model to help building the campus. I really love the staircase and the whole architecture design. it looks similar to 3D modeling. Likewise, I remembered I had made some 3D modeling on staircase and, again, used MASH network. My previous projects I did during the pandemic was the Finger Puppet Animation and I was assigned to create a staircase. For getting involved into creativity, I did make a spiral staircase by using the MASH network in Autodesk Maya. Their model has a spiral staircase but more spacious.

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One of my instructors asked a question that if they were to teach young students as a class, how do they prepare and begin working on the projects like Yoke? Or, where should they start? One of the hosts mentioned about gaining experiences on using any softwares. Before they began working their projects, they learned the basics on any softwares. They even used gaming softwares like Unity. In order to follow this interactive designs, it is by knowing your own experience from any softwares you had used before. As a Photography minor, I have experience using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom Classic for editing and color correcting my RAW images. More importantly, as a 3D Graphics/Animation student, I experience some techniques on 3D modeling and sculpting, 3D animation, texturing, lighting and rendering, live action compositing, dynamic simulation, and production practices. Most of 3D softwares I learned throughout my academics were Autodesk Maya and Mudbox, ZBrush, After Effects, Substance Painter, Houdini, and Nuke. After they finished presenting, I asked the hosts if they ever used 3D softwares like Autodesk Maya or Houdini, and they replied yes they experienced using these softwares. I was very impressed that they have more resources for making creative projects, and I became really interested if they have open internship positions for 3D Modeling. I hope in the future that this could be a great possible opportunity for me to apply.

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After we finished spending time at Yoke, we stopped by Kulturhuset. They have nice indoor and outdoor seatings. They provide so many food such as breakfast, lunch specials, and desserts. I had their cheeseburger with fries and some flavored macarons (mocha and vanilla) with mocha coffee. As always, their coffee is the best in Denmark. I love how soft the macarons are. The burger is very juicy. I recommend coming there again.