Summer is here, I guess. BlenderKit is having a sale, 40% off on the Full Plan and some add-ons. You know, the usual summer fun stuff. It ends in a week, July 31. So, if you’re into 3D assets and all that, maybe check it out… or not. Whatever. #BlenderKit #SummerSale #3DAssets #Discount #BlenderAddons

JangaFX just dropped IlluGen 1.0. It's a tool for VFX in games, which can create both 2D and 3D assets. You know, stuff like magic and energy, all from a single node graph. Sounds cool, I guess. But, I mean, it's just another tool, right? Not sure if it’s going to change the game or anything. Anyway, if you're into that kind of thing, maybe check it out. #IlluGen #VFX #JangaFX #GameAssets #2D3D

🎉 Exciting news for all game developers and enthusiasts! Houdini has just released amazing free workflows for game assets from the stunning Project Elderwood demo! 🌲✨ Imagine creating breathtaking cliff terrains and intricate ruins with ease! 🏞️🛠️ These powerful new tools are here to elevate your projects and unleash your creativity like never before! 🚀💡 Let’s harness this opportunity to bring our game worlds to life! Remember, every little step you take brings you closer to your dreams! Keep pushing forward! 🌟💪 #Houdini #GameDevelopment #ProjectElderwood #CreativeTools #Inspiration

It's about time we address the glaring flaws in the so-called "Low Poly Game Assets Tutorial"! Seriously, how can we accept mediocrity in the gaming industry? This tutorial promises to teach us how to model and texture "optimized game-ready assets" with a wild west theme, but what do we get? A convoluted mess that leaves beginners more confused than ever! The lack of clarity and depth in these instructions is unacceptable! We need proper guidance to create quality assets, not just a slapdash approach to modeling in Blender! Let’s raise the bar, stop tolerating this nonsense, and demand tutorials that actually deliver on their promises! #GameDevelopment #BlenderTutorial #LowPolyAssets #WildWestTheme #GamingCommunity

Ce jeu indépendant vous permet de décorer des dioramas minuscules avec des assets faits main. Kenney Vleugels, qui crée des ressources gratuites, les transforme en jeux. C’est un peu sympa, je suppose, mais bon, qui a vraiment envie de passer du temps à décorer des petites scènes ? C'est un peu ennuyant, en fait. #JeuxIndépendants #Dioramas #KenneyVleugels #AssetsGratuits #JeuxVideo

The sheer audacity of 11 Bit Studios is infuriating! They had the nerve to release a game using AI-generated assets without proper disclosure, and now they're backtracking with a half-hearted apology. How can a developer justify using generative AI in their products without transparency? This isn't just a minor oversight; it's a blatant breach of trust with the gaming community. The fact that they relied on AI-powered translation tools only adds to the insult! We deserve better than this lazy shortcut approach to game development. If studios continue to cut corners with AI, where does that leave creativity and authenticity in gaming? Enough is enough! #AIinGaming #GameDevelopment #11BitStudios #TransparencyMatters #ConsumerTrust

Just found out about this new tool called SDF Modeler. It's a free 3D modeling tool that seems to make it easier to play around with shapes for design stuff. They say it's intuitive and quick for concept designs and hard surface assets. I guess if you're into that sort of thing, it might be worth checking out. But honestly, it feels like just another tool in a long line of tools. #3DModeling #SDFModeler #DesignTools #ConceptDesign #HardSurfaceAssets

C'est incroyable de voir à quel point la communauté de VFX et d'art conceptuel est prête à se laisser berner par des promesses creuses ! "Téléchargez trois actifs gratuits de la bibliothèque Terra xL" ? Franchement, qui croit encore à ces attrapes ? On nous vend des montagnes 3D scannées comme si c'était de l'or, alors qu'en réalité, c'est juste du contenu recyclé destiné à remplir un vide ! On mérite mieux que des ressources médiocres pour un usage commercial. Il est temps de demander des comptes et de ne pas tomber dans le piège de l'illusion ! #VFX #ArtConceptuel #TerraXl #AssetsGratuits #Mont

It’s absolutely infuriating how the creative industry is still drowning in mediocrity when it comes to job opportunities for Blender artists. The recent overview titled ‘Blender Jobs for June 20, 2025’ is nothing short of a disgrace! What are we doing here? Are we seriously still looking for someone to create low poly cartoonish clothing assets? This is 2025, people! The demand for innovation and quality is at an all-time high, yet we are settling for these lazy, uninspired roles that only push the boundaries of our creativity further back into the dark ages. The description outlines a desperate search for artists to create thumbnails for YouTube and basic asset production—who gave these companies the right to expect top-notch creativity while offering peanuts in return? This is a blatant disrespect to the talented artists struggling to make a name for themselves. The industry has turned into a free-for-all where anyone with a computer thinks they can just toss out these ridiculous requests, undermining the hard work and passion of those who actually have skills worth paying for. “Stealth Startup” and “Pizza Party Productions”? Really? Is this some kind of joke? These names scream lack of professionalism and vision. How can we expect to elevate the standards of our industry when these half-baked companies are running around hiring interns instead of investing in real talent? It’s ludicrous! What’s next? A startup looking for someone to animate stick figures for a viral TikTok? Come on! Let’s not even get started on the ridiculous notion of internships being the new norm for artists trying to break into the industry. The term “3D Artist Intern” is a euphemism for “overworked and underpaid.” The expectation that fresh graduates should be thrilled to work for free just to “gain experience” is not only exploitative but utterly shameful. These companies need to step up their game and start valuing the creativity and hard work that goes into crafting quality art. Every time I scroll through these job postings, I feel my blood boil. Are we going to continue to allow this cycle of mediocrity to persist? It’s time for artists to take a stand and demand better. We need opportunities that challenge us, not these mundane tasks that anyone with a basic understanding of Blender could complete. We deserve to work in an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and respect for our craft. If these companies want to attract real talent, they need to start offering competitive pay and meaningful projects that actually inspire artists instead of dragging them down into the depths of blandness and monotony. Wake up, industry! The future of Blender artistry hinges on your willingness to embrace quality over quantity. Stop settling for mediocre job listings and start aiming for greatness. #BlenderJobs #3DArtist #CreativityMatters #ArtIndustry #DemandBetter

In early-stage start-ups, the pitch deck is often the first thing investors see. Sometimes, it’s the only thing. And yet, it rarely gets the same attention as the website or the socials. Most decks are pulled together last minute, with slides that feel rushed, messy, or just off. That’s where designers can really make a difference. The deck might seem like just another task, but it’s a chance to work on something strategic early on and help shape how the company is understood. It offers a rare opportunity to collaborate closely with copywriters, strategists and the founders to turn their vision into a clear and convincing story. Founders bring the vision, but more and more, design and brand teams are being asked to shape how that vision is told, and sold. So here are five handy things we’ve learned at SIDE ST for the next time you’re asked to design a deck. Think in context Designers stepping into pitch work should begin by understanding the full picture – who the deck is for, what outcomes it’s meant to drive and how it fits into the broader brand and business context. Their role isn’t just to make things look good, but to prioritise clarity over surface-level aesthetics. It’s about getting into the founders’ mindset, shaping visuals and copy around the message, and connecting with the intended audience. Every decision, from slide hierarchy to image selection, should reinforce the business goals behind the deck. Support the narrative Visuals are more subjective than words, and that’s exactly what gives them power. The right image can suggest an idea, reinforce a value, or subtly shift perception without a single word. Whether it’s hinting at accessibility, signalling innovation, or grounding the product in context, design plays a strategic role in how a company is understood. It gives designers the opportunity to take centre stage in the storytelling, shaping how the company is understood through visual choices. But that influence works both ways. Used thoughtlessly, visuals can distort the story, suggesting the wrong market, implying a different stage of maturity, or confusing people about the product itself. When used with care, they become a powerful design tool to sharpen the narrative and spark interest from the very first slide. Keep it real Stock photos can be tempting. They’re high-quality and easy to drop in, especially when the real images a start-up has can be grainy, unfinished, or simply not there yet. But in early-stage pitch decks, they often work against your client. Instead of supporting the story, they flatten it, and rarely reflect the actual team, product, or context. This is your chance as a designer to lean into what’s real, even if it’s a bit rough. Designers can elevate even scrappy assets with thoughtful framing and treatment, turning rough imagery into a strength. In early-stage storytelling, “real” often resonates more than “perfect.” Pay attention to the format Even if you’re brought in just to design the deck, don’t treat it as a standalone piece. It’s often the first brand touchpoint investors will see—but it won’t be the last. They’ll go on to check the website, scroll through social posts, and form an impression based on how it all fits together. Early-stage startups might not have full brand guidelines in place yet, but that doesn’t mean there’s no need for consistency. In fact, it gives designers a unique opportunity to lay the foundation. A strong, thoughtful deck can help shape the early visual language and give the team something to build on as the brand grows. Before you hit export For designers, the deck isn’t just another deliverable. It’s an early tool that shapes and impacts investor perception, internal alignment and founder confidence. It’s a strategic design moment to influence the trajectory of a company before it’s fully formed. Designers who understand the pressure, pace and uncertainty founders face at this stage are better equipped to deliver work that resonates. This is about more than simply polishing slides, it’s about helping early-stage teams tell a sharper, more human story when it matters most. Maor Ofek is founder of SIDE ST, a brand consultancy that works mainly with start-ups.  #sharpen #story #design #guide #startups