Stepping Into My Animations: How VR Transformed My 3D Art
- Jake Mathew
- Apr 22
- 2 min read
My Creative DNA
I’ve spent years working as a freelance motion graphic designer, creating animations for feature films, TV shows, commercials, and social media. My career has taken me through both 2D and 3D animation, and I love experimenting with different styles. Some of my favorite projects have been working on Marvel superhero movies and Disney+ TV shows—dream gigs for any animation fan.
But beyond my professional work, there’s another passion of mine: VR animation.
The Moment VR Changed Everything
About a decade ago, I took one of my existing Cinema 4D animations and exported it as a 360-degree VR experience. When I put on the headset for the first time and stepped inside my own animation, it was a game-changer.
Suddenly, I wasn’t just watching my work—I was living in it. That moment sparked a deep love for creating immersive VR content, and ever since, I’ve been hooked on making animations that pull viewers into new worlds.
Bringing Batman to Life in VR
One of my favourite recent VR projects is “Batman: Through The Ages”. As a huge Batman fan, I wanted to celebrate the many versions of the Dark Knight—from film and TV to comics—in a way that felt real and immersive.
A 3D animation would have been cool, but VR lets the audience stand right beside Batman, seeing every detail up close. That sense of presence is what makes VR so special—it’s not just watching, it’s experiencing.
The Future of VR & 3D Art
As VR headsets like Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest become more popular, I believe we’ll see a huge shift in how artists create and share their work. Right now, most 3D content is made for flat screens, but as technology advances, more creators will design specifically for VR and AR.
The best VR animations aren’t just repurposed 3D projects—they’re built from the ground up to pull you into the scene, with depth, scale, and interactivity that make the world feel real.
Advice for New VR Creators
If you’re just starting out in VR content creation, here’s my advice:
Experiment with existing work – Try converting a past 3D project into VR to see how it feels.
Design for immersion – Scenes with a lot of depth and detail in the foreground and background look fantastic in VR.
Think about scale – Make objects and environments feel life-sized to enhance realism.
What’s Next?
I’m a huge movie and TV consumer, so my next projects will let viewers step inside their favorite films and shows, getting up close to iconic characters in ways they’ve never experienced before.
Currently, VR animation is still just a hobby for me, but my goal is to bring this kind of work to more clients—and maybe even collaborate with other VR-loving artists along the way.
If you’re curious about my work, check out my Rival profile (I go by “spinningblade”), and if you’re an artist diving into VR, I’d love to connect. The future of immersive art is just getting started!
Comments