Interview
China
Revival Swan Studio is a boutique studio dedicated to inspiring artists to explore contemporary reinterpretations of classical art. Today, it expands its focus to the impact of emerging technologies on art and digital productivity, shaping new creative possibilities.
1 Congratulations on your achievements in the MUSE Creative Awards! Could you start by introducing yourself or your agency? Can you also share a bit about your journey into your current industry?
Revival Swan Studio is a small studio founded with the aim of attracting and inspiring artists and creators who wish to explore the contemporary reinterpretation of classical art. Today, our focus is no longer limited to this direction. We are also increasingly focused on the impact of emerging technologies on art and digital productivity, and we hope to further expand our influence in these areas.
2 What inspired you to submit your work for this competition, and what does winning mean to you personally and professionally?
My decision to submit work to this competition was largely inspired by the high-caliber jury of the MUSE Creative Awards this year, as well as the opportunity to compete alongside major companies, well-known brands, and outstanding projects. At the same time, the competition offers significant media exposure, which made me feel it was important to establish my international presence on such a platform. For me personally, winning the award enriches my professional background, helps shape a new professional identity, and allows me to further grow and develop in new fields.
3 Can you share the story behind your success? What inspired its creation, and what do you feel it represents in today’s industry?
Architizer frequently organizes seminars and discussions. Through these exchanges, we became aware of the potential impact that visualized digital creative workflows and emerging technologies may have on 3D art. I believe that a new and efficient digital creative workflow is something that large companies, individuals, small art collectives, and independent artists all need. We attempted to develop a new model for large-scale digital art projects or those that require complex collaboration. Through an actual product, we demonstrated and presented this model in a systematic way. It introduces a new industry ecosystem and allows people to see how such a framework may influence the future of the digital art industry.
4 What do you believe set your project apart in such a competitive field? Were there specific elements or strategies that made it shine?
I believe the project stood out because I was able to identify early signals of change and anticipate the larger transformations that may occur in the future of the industry. More importantly, this idea was supported by relatively rigorous practical validation. This workflow can produce a digital product with complex interactions within four hours. In contrast, large companies often need to go through multiple layers of approval when developing new technologies. Thanks to our flexibility, we were able to move faster and demonstrate this emerging trend through the product itself.
5 Every project has its challenges. Can you share a significant obstacle you faced during this process and how you overcame it?
The biggest challenge came from hardware and optimization issues. I underestimated the level of computing power required for this workflow, which significantly slowed down the overall process. In fact, four hours is not the limit of this workflow. With more experience, the process I described could be completed within one to two hours. Although I later upgraded my computer, it still cannot fully support the full performance potential of this workflow.
6 Winning an award of this caliber often brings recognition. What do you hope this achievement will mean for your career, your team, or your agency in the long run? Have you already noticed any changes or opportunities arising from this recognition?
The MUSE Creative Awards have provided us with both opportunities and credibility to explore work in other industries. This recognition helps us establish influence and an international reputation across a wider range of fields, and it will play an important role in supporting the development of future projects and collaborations.
7 What has the reaction been from clients, audiences, or stakeholders about your winning entry? Any feedback or memorable moments that stand out?
So far, only a small number of clients, audiences, or stakeholders have experienced or witnessed the impact of this product. Some people remain resistant to it, believing that games or digital art should be created entirely through manual human effort. Others are surprised by the level of productivity this workflow can achieve. There are also individuals who quickly recognized its potential importance in certain sensitive technological application areas, and some of them have even begun further research with me.
8 For those aspiring to achieve similar success, what advice would you offer to help them not only thrive in their industries but also craft compelling, award-worthy entries? Are there specific practices, mindsets, or strategies you believe are key?
I believe the idea of “small products with great insight” can be a powerful direction. The key is how a small or even micro-scale product can reveal an overlooked but critically important trend or ecosystem. This ability is often a decisive factor in winning international awards. Of course, the argument and validation behind the idea must be rigorous.
9 The creative industry is constantly evolving. How do you view these changes, and where do you hope to position yourself in the future?
At the moment, our team is still relatively small, so we have not yet defined a specific position within the industry. Our current plan is to work more as consultants, providing decision-making support in areas such as artistic creation and production workflows, while gradually building our reputation within the industry.
10 Entering awards can be daunting for many, especially those just starting out. What would you say to individuals who have limited experience, or are hesitant to showcase their work in competitions? How can they build confidence and see the value in participating?
I understand that many people feel pressure when participating in highly competitive platforms like this. However, they should also recognize an important fact: standing out in such competitions often represents strong validation of one’s design capabilities and helps establish a positive professional reputation. At the same time, this kind of recognition can significantly motivate both individuals and teams.
11 Creativity thrives on community. What message would you like to share with fellow creatives, marketers, and advertising professionals?
Today, discussions about the creative industry often focus primarily on the development of AI. However, people sometimes overlook the vast ecosystem created by Unreal Engine, as well as the alternative digital productivity transformation that the “LEGO-style paradigm” may bring. In fields such as virtual content and simulation, we should consider these technologies alongside AI rather than discussing them in isolation.
12 Winning is a team effort in many cases. Is there someone or a group of people you’d like to dedicate this achievement to, and why?
I would like to dedicate this achievement to those who lack resources but possess extraordinary creativity. Many of them have bold and even radical ideas, yet they often lack the resources necessary to realize them. I believe that this workflow can significantly reduce the resources required to bring such digital creative ideas to life. Although it is unfortunate that most of our collaborations take place online and we cannot take photos together, I would still like to dedicate this honor to these talented and creative collaborators.
13 If you could describe your award-winning entry in one sentence, what would it be and why?
If I had to describe my award-winning work in one sentence, I would say: It represents a potentially influential direction in the evolution of digital productivity. As I described in my submission, this workflow is beginning to divide today’s digital content creators into two groups: those who assemble the “LEGO bricks” and those who produce the “LEGO bricks.”
14 Finally, what’s next for you? Any exciting projects or upcoming goals that you’d like to share with us and the audience?
Moving forward, we will continue to deepen and advance this project while exploring its technological applications in other fields. In the future, our research may appear on various platforms, and we will also continue to explore the contemporary application of classical art across different domains.
Entrant
Revival Swan Studio
Category
Experiential & Immersive - Games