Depth Primary Function: Ukubonakaliswa Kwe-3d Okutsibekelayo by Aleksei Kipin

Depth Primary Function: Ukubonakaliswa Kwe-3d Okutsibekelayo by Aleksei Kipin is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ibhaso Lentsimbi le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lweSoftwe Competition Category.

IntsimbiIsoftwe· 2026

Depth Primary Function: Ukubonakaliswa Kwe-3d Okutsibekelayo

by Aleksei Kipin

Client: Aleksei Kipin

Ibhaso Lentsimbi le-A' Design Award Winner in Isoftwe Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Depth Primary Function: Ukubonakaliswa Kwe-3d Okutsibekelayo

Book Text: I-Depth ngumhleli wezinto ezintathu eziphezulu olula obuyisa ukunikezelwa kwezinto ezintathu eziphezulu ngexesha langempela kwiifayile zoyilo, evumela izimvo zemveliso ukuba ziphononongwe ngezimbono zekhamera ezingaguqukiyo nokukhanya. Iimbono ezigciniweyo zixhasa iimvavanyo ezicacileyo zangaphambili nezangemva njengoko iimodeli ziphuhla. Imifanekiso yokugqibela ibekwa ngokuthe ngqo kwikhanvasi yoyilo ukuze kwenziwe imihlathi, izimbono, kunye nezivumelwano, kunciphiswa ukutshintsha izixhobo kunye nexesha lophononongo.

The Recognition

About the Ibhaso Lentsimbi le-A' Design Award

Depth Primary Function: Ukubonakaliswa Kwe-3d Okutsibekelayo ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Lentsimbi le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo okunikwa imiyilo elungileyo eyanelisa iimfuno zobungcali neemveliso ezilindelekileyo kwimveliso ezicwangciswe kakuhle. Abaphumeleleyo beNtsimbi babonisa ubuchule obukhulu, ubuchule obuphezulu, ukuqonda kwengcali namandla okuyila abayili babo. Depth Primary Function: Ukubonakaliswa Kwe-3d Okutsibekelayo iyathenjwa ukuba ibe yimveliso exatyiswa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo neyinto entsha. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Lentsimbi le-A' Design Award udibanisa iindlela ezilungileyo kakhulu zemboleko kwaye unezimpawu zobuchwephesha ezifanelekileyo ezidityaniswe nolwazi netalente. Depth Primary Function: Ukubonakaliswa Kwe-3d Okutsibekelayo iyahlonelwa ngenxa yenkcukacha yayo kwaye yacwangciselwa ukunika uphuculo lomgangatho wobomi olunceda ukwenza ihlabathi libe yindawo engcono.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Depth is an integrated real-time three-dimensional visualization and rendering system for digital design workflows. It imports three-dimensional models and high dynamic range lighting environments, enables precise geometry inspection and camera control, and provides art-directable lighting with instant feedback. Final renders are exported directly into the design canvas, eliminating external handoffs.
Dimensions & Packaging: Software-based system: real-time three-dimensional viewer and renderer built on Three.js and WebG. Inputs: glTF 2.0 assets (.glb/.gltf), including Draco-compressed geometry; High Dynamic Range lighting environments (.hdr/.exr) with rotation. Metallic-roughness materials, texture support, object visibility and transform controls, orbit/pan/zoom camera. Output: high-resolution renders placed directly into the design document.
Tags: Real-time rendering, three-dimensional visualization, HDRI lighting, Physically based rendering, glTF workflow, WebGL, Geometry inspection, Design-to-render pipeline, Asset review, Digital product design
Production Technology: Built as a lightweight in-editor three-dimensional runtime using Three.js and WebGL with a physically based rendering pipeline. Supports glTF and GLB assets, High Dynamic Range Image environment lighting, tone mapping, camera controls, and mesh-level inspection. Performance is optimized via compressed geometry decoding (Draco) and efficient scene graph management. Outputs high-resolution raster renders into the design document.
Design Challenge: The central challenge was bringing cinematic three-dimensional fidelity into a constrained design-editor environment without breaking the speed and simplicity designers expect. Depth had to handle unpredictable asset quality, large files, and diverse lighting conditions while keeping interaction immediate and understandable. Balancing professional controls with an elegant, minimal interface required rigorous iteration and performance discipline.
Research: Type: mixed-method. Objectives: cinematic three-dimensional review and lighting atmospheres for design workflows. Method: rapid prototyping and task tests. Data/Tools: interviews, timed tasks, screen captures, performance logs. Participants/Experiments: designers and 3D artists with real assets. Results: faster iteration, fewer handoffs, consistent renders. Insights/Impacts: presets + instant feedback reduce complexity and elevate craft. Effect (Business/Society/Design): shorter cycles and broader 3D literacy.
Inspiration: Depth was inspired by a persistent gap between three-dimensional production and everyday digital design practice. Assets were evaluated through slow, fragmented handoffs and "good enough" screenshots. The project set out to bring physically convincing lighting, spatial understanding, and rapid iteration into the designer's workspace, turning review into real-time art direction.
Project Duration: The project started in 2025 in New York City and reached its first public release in 2026 in New York City, with iterative updates continuing throughout the development period.
Operation Flow: Users import a three-dimensional model, choose a lighting atmosphere, then orbit, zoom, and rotate to understand form, scale, and detail. Simple controls refine light and camera until the object feels grounded and intentional. Every adjustment updates instantly, enabling fast visual decisions. A single export places a polished render back into the design canvas for immediate use.
Image Credits: Image #1, Illustration, Aleksei Kipin
Image #2, Illustration, Aleksei Kipin
Image #3, Illustration, Aleksei Kipin