Unique professions: Building iconic structures using 3D models

"A BEYOND THE GRAPHICS VILLAGE"

In mid-August, during the event to receive Sioux Technologies Group, Secretary of the Da Nang City Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang presented Mr. Hans Duisters - the founder of the group - with a luxurious mica-covered box containing wooden pieces depicting symbolic images of the coastal city of Da Nang. The "father" of this meaningful souvenir is Mr. Nguyen Van Binh (38 years old, from Ha Nam , residing in Thanh Khe Dong Ward, Thanh Khe District, Da Nang City). "The 2D and 3D wooden models I designed were chosen as gifts by the city leaders, which is a great source of pride after nearly 10 years of my career," Mr. Binh shared.

Dragon Bridge - a symbol of Da Nang City was built by Mr. Binh on a 3D wooden model

Mr. Binh considers himself an “amateur” when entering the profession of wood carving and 3D modeling, which inherently requires a lot of knowledge about design and graphics. Before coming to Da Nang in 2015, he pursued many unrelated jobs, such as dancing, selling watches, phones, etc. “At that time, I was in Hanoi and an acquaintance in Da Nang asked me to carve a wooden box. When I went to the workshop, I witnessed the machine burning the surface of the wood and creating very interesting images. Meanwhile, in Da Nang City, souvenir models only had rough, unspectacular carvings,” Mr. Binh said.

Mr. Binh started his career from scratch, so from choosing a laser wood engraving machine, how to operate it, how to design the model... he figured it all out himself. While learning and working, Mr. Binh's initial products were just simple items, such as key chains, pen holders... Gradually, when he had more experience, he switched to designing 2D arrangement boxes. It took nearly 2 years for Mr. Binh to have his first 3D wooden designs. These products quickly gained a foothold in the souvenir market because of their uniqueness. Viewers standing in front of Mr. Binh's models were all conquered by the sophisticated pieces and precise proportions.

“In Da Nang, I designed 3D wooden models such as Dragon Bridge, Han River Swing Bridge, Golden Bridge (Ba Na Hill)... As for the 2D installation box, viewers can easily see many other iconic images of Da Nang, such as the city administration building, Tran Thi Ly Bridge, Sun Wheel, Linh Ung Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara statue...”, Mr. Binh introduced.

PASSION FOR IMPROVING WORK

After nearly 10 years of making models, Mr. Binh is confident that he is the only person in Da Nang who possesses the technology and method of designing 2D and 3D wood carvings. Currently, there are many establishments that imitate and copy his products, but when sharing about the stages to make a product, Mr. Binh does not hesitate to say that there are 4 basic steps. First, he has to research the architecture of the project he plans to implement through actual observation, images, clips... Next is the step of drawing the details of the model on the computer. After having the design, all images and materials are put into the laser machine to cut and engrave each piece of wood. Finally, arrange, assemble, glue the details, paint and box with mica.

Vivid image of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral on 3D wooden model PHOTO: HOANG SON

“To create the standard proportions to achieve balance for the model, this requires the designer to have a meticulous study of the overall structure. The pieces must also be engraved with the characteristic lines and patterns of each project so that they are similar to the model to inspire the viewer. Therefore, the most difficult step is to draw each small detail on the computer. With the 2D version, just cutting and carving on a piece of wood, it only takes a few days to design. As for the 3D model, sometimes it takes a whole month to complete,” said Mr. Binh, adding that of all the 3D versions, the Golden Bridge model has the largest size. However, this version is simpler because it has fewer details than architectural models such as the Dragon Bridge, Da Nang Cathedral, Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, Independence Palace (HCMC), Bridge Pagoda (Hoi An), the ancient train station, Chicken Church (Da Lat), Hue Imperial City...

Welcomed by the market for its aesthetics and high level of completion, Mr. Binh's 2D and 3D wooden models are sold nationwide at prices ranging from a few tens of thousands of VND to more than 3 million VND. In every locality, Mr. Binh also researches to draw symbolic models to promote that locality. Particularly in Da Nang - where he started his business, with the design of a series of 2D and 3D box models bearing the city's mark, he has become a partner of many souvenir shops. In particular, his products are trusted and chosen as gifts by the City Party Committee, People's Committee of Da Nang City and departments, branches, districts and counties in many events, especially occasions to receive foreign delegations.

“I have a hobby of taking out my models to admire instead of finding something entertaining in my spare time. Every time I do that, I see that this or that needs to be improved. Then I roll up my sleeves to edit. Like that, each model is more beautiful than the previous one, with increasingly higher levels of completion. The souvenir making profession also contributes to promoting the tourism image of Da Nang and other localities, so I believe that the models must be beautiful, delicate and evoke emotions in the viewer,” Mr. Binh shared. (to be continued)

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-nghe-doc-la-dung-cong-trinh-bieu-tuong-bang-mo-hinh-3d-185241015223207916.htm