ISSUE 24 /

A PLACE TO LEARN, DISCOVER &
EXPLORE THE EVER CHANGING WORLD
WE DESIGN IN!

✍️ Henry Cheney 

We’re here to keep you inspired and informed, with a special focus on the intersection of four key areas:

Why these four? Because together, they define the future of creativity. At HBC Visual, our love for CGI has driven us to explore its transformative power across industries, and the rapid rise of AI is rewriting the rules of design.

Yet, we remain grounded in the timeless principles of creativity: the artist behind the tool will always matter.

MENTAL MUSINGS /

We often set out on a straight path, focused on our destination. But sometimes, the most profound discoveries happen when we take an unplanned detour.

The scenic route, the unexpected conversation, the book we pick up by chance – these moments can unlock new perspectives and lead to insights we wouldn't have found on the direct route.

When was the last time you allowed for a creative detour? What unexpected treasure might be waiting just off your usual path?

CGI

In the world of CGI, SIGGRAPH took place just over a week ago, and as you can imagine, there were lots of interesting developments. One that caught our eye was the Augmented Vertex Block Descent, a new technology that's been hailed as the fastest general-purpose physics solver ever. If that sounds a bit too technical, don’t worry—just click on the link to watch the video, and it will all be explained

Architecture

In the world of Architecture, a gap between two buildings has been transformed into a small but perfectly formed cafe for Boiler Coffee in Romania. The architects at Vinklu were inspired by Japanese roadside shrines, creating a unique coffee shop that feels like a lantern, with the warm glow of the timber interior shining through the fully glazed front.

Design

In the world of Design, having more physical references around us can help us avoid that two-minute app check that turns into 15 minutes of emails, social media, and forgetting what you even opened your phone for. This weather sculpture does this beautifully, bringing real-time data to life through nine minimalist symbols. Designed by Gustav Rosén and produced by Kolong, Skymill looks to translate weather forecasting into a tangible display

Technology

In the world of Technology, Dutch social enterprise Fairphone is making a statement with its latest release, the Fairphone 6. With constant advances in technology and the ridiculous amount of waste generated in the pursuit of profit, companies like Fairphone should be celebrated for doing things differently. For those looking for a sustainable smartphone, the Fairphone is the blueprint for how modular electronics and circular design principles can be built to last. We love their 'moments' experience, which simplifies and helps you be less distracted.

Doodle

Instead of relying on AI-generated images, we invite you to doodle! Sketching isn’t just for fun—it’s a way to unlock creativity and explore new ideas. Each issue, we’ll feature one doodle, and soon, we’d love to showcase your creations.

🎨 Grab a pen, unleash your imagination, and get doodling! 🎨

If you found something inspiring here, share this newsletter with a friend!

Stay curious, stay creative.

In every issue, we’ll surprise you with something new and exciting. From quirky discoveries to essential tools, our bonus content will keep you inspired and informed. So, make sure to check back each issue for your dose of unexpected delight.…🧐 

Age is but a number…

AUTHOR /

Henry Cheney is the founder of HBC Visual, a visualisation company supporting designers, architects and developers to bring their projects to life.

We value your feedback

And we’d love to hear from you—feedback and ideas are always welcome. Take a moment to let us know how we can make this newsletter even better.