As a separate detail, I included a village in the distant background. During the day, it appears calm and normal. At night, the village is shown on fire, implying that something occurred while the vault itself was already disturbed. This final moment was meant to leave viewers wondering what happened and what might be coming next.

Final Touches in Premiere Pro

In Premiere Pro, I added atmospheric sound effects to support the visuals. Wind sounds were layered in to reflect the altitude and snowfall surrounding the mountaintop vault.

Inside the vault, I added gear-grinding audio to suggest that the mechanisms are still active, reinforcing the idea that the structure is alive and has been recently disturbed. This full process, from storyboarding and camera work to in-engine lighting and post-production, helped turn the scene into a short narrative experience rather than just a technical showcase.

Conclusion

This piece took many long days and nights, adding up to 6 months of focused, dedicated work. It challenged me creatively, technically, and personally in ways I hadn’t experienced before.

One of the biggest challenges was working with Nanite for the first time. Learning how it handled geometry and understanding UV workflows early on was critical. If I had waited too long to figure that out, I would have ended up redoing UVs on multiple assets. Another major challenge was developing my sculpting skills. I had very little experience with ZBrush before this, so I had to spend time learning and applying new techniques quickly across the entire environment.

As for what I learned, it is hard to put into a single answer. I gained a better understanding of what my quality of work should be and how to stay focused on a clear direction. I also learned the value of building a project that feels cohesive rather than disconnected. Much of that growth came from the support of my classmates at Think Tank Training Centre and especially my mentor, Aleksandar Danilovac, who helped me understand Nanite and guided me in developing a stronger artistic and technical mindset. He pushed me to think of the scene not as a collection of props but as a space that feels alive and purposeful.

Advice to Beginning Artists

Start with a story. Whether you are building an object, a prop, or an entire world, give it context. A simple asset becomes much more meaningful when there is a narrative behind it. That story can guide your design decisions and help you visualize what the piece could become.

Be open to learning new techniques, new workflows, and feedback from others. Growth comes from curiosity and exploration. Most importantly, find your own vision and allow that to shape your path forward as an artist.

I hope this article gives a closer look into my workflow, creative decisions, and the challenges I overcame throughout this project. It was a long journey, but one that helped me grow both as an artist and a storyteller. Thank you for taking the time to read through it.

I’m especially grateful to everyone who supported me throughout the process. Your guidance and encouragement made a real difference. I’m looking forward to what comes next and to continuing to grow through even more inspiring work.

Sena Sarwari, 3D Environment Artist