I HOMESTORIES | Real or virtual? In the room with Dennis Grimm

"Growing up in the tranquil southern Black Forest, I had the urge to get out and explore the world from an early age. This love of adventure still runs through my life and has ultimately made me the person I am today. After I felt European soil under my feet again shortly before the pandemic, my work colleagues from Mexico and I kept in close digital contact across thousands of kilometers of the Atlantic. A few brainstorms about how we could continue to work together online, and a few weeks later, DARQVIZ was born and the foundation was in full swing. The vision was clear: to breathe new life into the visualization industry and use cutting-edge technology to present global projects as they deserve. In addition to the initial focus on the interactive and photorealistic presentation of architecture, other doors have opened over the months, such as product rendering. In addition to visualizations of apartment complexes by architect David Chipperfield in Austria, we are currently also working on test projects for Belgian lamp manufacturer Supermodular. A lot has happened since the company was founded in June 2020. Every day is a new adventure that confirms how a spark can ignite a fire."

This is Dennis, founder of darqviz. We are more than happy that our paths have crossed. Darqviz is a young company with an international team that specializes in computer-generated images for various creative fields in architecture, product development, etc. As the images are created in a virtual space, there are no limits to the rooms.

1. You used to study construction management, right? How come you're now working in a more creative and digital professional column as a business manager? Even before and during my studies, I constantly flirted with the art of architecture, and also decided early on to avoid the actual career path of my studies to become a construction manager in order to orient myself as closely as possible to the planning of buildings. With DARQVIZ, I now have the opportunity to apply my creativity and what I learned during my studies to the implementation of our projects.
2. What words would you use to best describe yourself and what makes you different from your colleagues at "darqviz"?Curious all-rounder is probably pretty much to the point. When I think back to my youth: I wanted to learn every sport, as soon as I was good at it and felt comfortable, I moved on to the next one. I used to see this as a weakness in my stamina, but now I see this curiosity as my strength. Always wanting more and not shying away from risks is crucial for a young, digital company these days. You have to take unconventional paths in order not to get lost in the noise of the flood of data. All of us at DARQVIZ are driven by different things, but it's important to keep looking in the same direction, with each individual contributing their own special skills to achieve our common goal.
3. Tell us about a CGI image that you are particularly proud of and try to describe your approach and the process involved. Using our expertise for our own convictions and helping to make the world a better place is an essential part of our vision. Most recently, we translated our shared suffering from the events and ongoing situation in Kabul into a work of digital art. The project "Fainted Hope" serves as an outlet to express our emotions and at the same time we want to use the image to draw attention to this important issue and create awareness in our community. This is the kind of project we want to continue to drive forward alongside our day-to-day business.
   
4. Where do you get the inspiration for your designs? Do you ever have trouble finding an idea? How do you deal with this? Our world is full of inspiration, whether in nature or man-made. Architects around the world in particular design their surroundings the way they like them. That inspires. There are always blockages, my own personal solution is to realize that life happens in the here and now. Focusing on the present moment wakes me up and broadens my horizons.
5. I read that you met your partners in Mexico. What made you decide to gain work experience in Guadalajara? In addition to the aforementioned thirst for adventure, love also led me to this wonderful country at the time. After falling in love with Mexican culture during my semester abroad in 2017, it was clear to me after my studies where I wanted to gain my first work experience. This is also where I experienced my first influences on entrepreneurship, which ultimately sowed the seeds for founding DARQVIZ.
6. How long do you need for a rendering like the one you designed for us in a fancy red-denatured kitchen? Basically speaking, a week from idea to final result should be sufficient, regardless of the order situation, and we always aim for this. However, the actual processing time often also depends on the feedback loops with the customer.
7. How do you design your real interiors? Does your work with virtual environments/spaces inspire/influence your interior design style? Daily work with interiors Design doesn't leave you without a trace. I try to keep my creative space minimalist and calm so that I can approach each project with freedom of thought. The absolute favorite in my interior is of course the Bench Chamfer from WYE.
8. What advice would you give to young people who want to follow the same career path? I can only confirm the standard advice of every founder based on my own experience. It takes a lot of hard work and, above all, perseverance for this work to be recognized. What helps? Being enthusiastic, enjoying what you do and not being afraid of failure.
9. I once read the saying: "Positive thinking makes life easier" in one of your Instagram stories. Would you say you're an optimist? My friends definitely see me as an optimist. Looking positively into the future is essential for me and probably every founder in order to overcome the challenges in the early days of a company. But it's just as important to be realistic so as not to misjudge situations and be prepared for possible outcomes. So, as with everything, it's all in the mix.
10. Either or questions