Introducing KONI: Crafting Futures in 3D

As part of our ongoing collaboration with Braw Haus, RED-EYE continues to spotlight the digital visionaries shaping the next era of visual culture. Today, we enter the world of KONI — the artistic identity of Nicolas, a 27-year-old French 3D creator whose path has been defined by curiosity, self-teaching, and an unrelenting drive to master every stage of production.

KONI began his journey at just 13, discovering video editing and 3D through gaming culture. What started as experimentation soon evolved into a passion, leading him from early work in After Effects and Cinema 4D to a full-time role in creative media. His years as a motion designer, director, and camera operator sharpened his understanding of framing, storytelling, and pre-production—skills that now deeply inform his 3D compositions.

His time at the renowned Mathematic Studio became an artistic proving ground: a place to understand production pipelines, client feedback, team management, and the discipline needed to deliver high-level visuals. After two and a half years, he stepped into freelance life, driven by the desire to explore new studios, new clients, and new creative challenges.

Today, KONI’s universe blends futuristic atmospheres, dystopian tension, and highly technical 3D craft, often enhanced with tools like Marvelous Designer, Cinema 4D, and selective AI integrations for depth maps, mocap, and image enhancement. His dream is simple yet profound: to one day lead a major project shaped entirely by his own artistic vision.

Dive into our full RED-EYE x Braw Haus interview with KONI below.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you first found your way into the world of digital art?

My name is Nicolas, or Koni if you prefer. I am 27 years old and I discovered the world of digital art through post-production and editing. I became interested in this field at a very young age, and over time, as I navigated the world of visual creation, I began to want to develop my artistic universe and artistic direction through personal and professional projects.

What’s the story behind the name ‘KONI’? Does it carry a special meaning for your artistic identity?

There is no story behind the name KONI. It's a nickname my friends gave me, and over time, this nickname has become a new name, almost a new identity. Everyone calls me KONI today, and I have no problem with that. Only my mother calls me Nicolas, haha.

Can you share your go-to software or stack?

I mainly work on Cinema 4D with the Octane rendering engine. I also have a great passion for Marvelous Designer. I discovered this software four years ago and fell in love with it. Being able to create the clothes you want without the constraints of making them in real life was an incredible discovery, and even today I try to include as many 3D clothes as possible in all my productions.

Are you incorporating ai in your workflow? If yes how, in which step of your process and which programs do you use?

I use AI as a tool. It allows me to do so many things, such as creating depth maps from an image, retouching real images, generating 3D models from mocap... I find it far too powerful a tool not to use. I struggle with using generative AI if it's not fully acknowledged in the video, and to create new things with new visuals. I find using AI to remake stock videos pointless.

You have worked with high-end brands like L’Oréal and Lacoste. Much of your portfolio blends futuristic aesthetics with darker, dystopian storytelling. How do you adapt this narrative language when working on brand collaborations or commercial projects?

I have been fortunate to work in large studios in Paris, which has allowed me to work for some very big brands. For this type of project, I haven't had the opportunity to have a say in the artistic direction or aesthetics of the project; everything is already validated upstream, and I just carry out the brief I am asked to do. Ultimately, I hope to be able to work on projects that give me greater artistic freedom to showcase and develop my vision within the universe of these major brands.

What would be your dream project?

I don't have a dream project, I just dream of one day being called upon for a big project for my artistic direction and vision, and being in charge of the entire project, not just as a subcontractor who carries out a brief that is given to them.

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