Reid Moulis is an industrial designer and fabricator based in Boston, MA, currently attending the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. He works in wood, steel, or basically any material he can get his hands on. He recently won a KeyShot-sponsored design challenge. Here, he chats with us about his inspiration and his favorite tools in KeyShot.
Reid Moulis
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How did you get started creating 3D visuals and how did you learn KeyShot?
I began playing around in rendering and 3D work in early high school, just playing around in various programs, trying out lighting, animation, materials, modeling, etc. Once I took the CAD class at my college and got acquainted with KeyShot, it really felt like home.
What are some of your favorite projects?
Just recently I finished a formed plywood stool held together by cable tension – If you remove the cables the whole stool falls apart, but tensioned up it’s a completely solid piece of furniture. I love the way it looks, and it’s quite comfortable to sit in. It really feels like “me.”
How would you describe your design philosophy?
I love being able to see hints of how an object was created and how it works. Our products all come from somewhere and are made by someone, why not show that off? I think there is a lot of beauty to be found in that.
Where in your process do you use KeyShot?
Anytime I want to show anyone a 3D model, be that a client or just a friend. It’s always worth it to drop a model into KeyShot and throw some nice lighting and materials on it; it makes it feel that much more real.
What are some of your favorite KeyShot tools?
My favorite thing about KeyShot isn’t any specific tool, but just how effortless and fast it can be. You can have a really nice looking rendering in 20 minutes; drop in your model, add your materials, set up a backplate and a lighting environment, sprinkle on some creativity, and hey presto you’ve got a stunning render. If I had to choose a specific favorite tool though I would probably say match perspective. It’s too useful not to mention.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I’m Swedish and Finnish, so Scandinavian mid-century furniture was all over my house and my grandparents’ house growing up. I think seeing that beautiful teak and cherry furniture introduced me to the concept of “design” as something separate from manufacturing or fine art or engineering.
What kind of work would you like to do after graduation?
I would love to work at the intersection of design and fabrication. I love working with my hands and seeing something go from brain to paper to render to reality.
