This KeyShot Designer Spotlight is brought to you by a joint collaboration between Luxion and Megosu.

Mads Hindhede Svanegaard is an independent industrial designer and 3D visualizer in his own studio, Designersvane. He has worked as an industrial designer for more than 10 years, mostly within the medical device field, for companies like GN Hearing, Coloplast, and Oticon. Here we learn more about his design philosophy and how he uses KeyShot to explore shape, materials, and motion to deliver stunning visuals.

Mads Hindhede Svanegaard

Mads Hindhede Svanegaard

Modeling software used: SolidWorks
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What sparked your interest in product design?
I have always been visually oriented. I learn a lot by observing. My interest grew when I found out how much more you can communicate and convince stakeholders and management with high-quality renderings that tell the use of a concept with one rendering or animation. So, as I continued in industrial design, my appetite for knowing how to create these visualizations grew.

What did you want to be when you started in design and what are you pursuing currently?

I think I just wanted to make a difference for people, to be honest. Realizing I could use my interest in drawing and 2D illustrations to create and think up new concepts just pushed me to continue down that path.

Mads Hindhede Svanegaard
Mads Hindhede Svanegaard
Mads Hindhede Svanegaard

What is unique about your approach to a project/design?

My approach to a project is really never the same but tailored to that specific case. And I think that my ability to use different tools to build up a selection of concepts, really helps me stand out.

What inspired you to create the Paperweight project?

I took a small session where I tried to map out what paper does to the desk area. I have lots of sketches and official docs, letters, and magazines on and around my desk at all times, and they can be a big distraction. So naturally creating a sense of calm was key for the paperweight concept. Quite quickly I narrowed it down to a paperweight in two sizes – fitting nicely to A4 and A5 paper sizes. Allowing you to peek at the top piece of paper was crucial too. This is why I thought of a natural thing you do with paper, which is to lift up an edge to see the one below. That natural interaction felt right to apply to this paperweight.

Mads Hindhede Svanegaard

How do you survive and thrive as a freelancer/entrepreneur?
I have been an independent designer full-time since January 2022 and have been lucky to get both project work and ID consultant hours at a few of the companies I have previously worked for. I have also been fortunate enough to get a few projects via Instagram. Having a focus on Industrial Design and 3D Visualization helps me spread out the uncertainty of being on my own.

Having a focus on Industrial Design and 3D Visualization helps me spread out the uncertainty of being on my own.

What is your primary 3D modeling software?

Honestly, it depends on what I am designing. I use SolidWorks a lot, but lately, I have branched out to Fusion 360 and Blender, as they sometimes help me create concepts quicker.

Mads Hindhede Svanegaard
Mads Hindhede Svanegaard

How do you explore a new function in KeyShot?
I have always taken a more playful approach to learning new features in KeyShot. It helps me in my daily work to play around with new features and discover what it can do. Sometimes it’s easily applicable to a current project, other times, it’s just something I play with and only afterward realize how I can use it going forward. KeyShot’s 3D Paint tool is great for creating bespoke bump maps if, for example, you need to design specific grips on a handle.

KeyShot’s 3D Paint tool is great for creating bespoke bump maps if, for example, you need to design specific grips on a handle.

Mads Hindhede Svanegaard

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in doing what you do?

I am not going to lie. It takes time to build up your skills. But it doesn’t have to be hard. It can be fun when you play with new features, or just have a lot of ideas that you want to show the world. Put in the hours and ask people how they achieved a certain look or style. More than often, they would love to help.

“Put in the hours and ask people how they achieved a certain look or style. More than often, they would love to help.”

Mads Hindhede Svanegaard

See more @designersvane

Mads Hindhede Svanegaard