IWAN ESAU
Architectural Visualization
This project started as a simple 3D modeling exercise.
As a 3D artist working mainly in architectural visualization, I wanted to sharpen my modeling skills and chose an object that would be both challenging and interesting to study. I found my grandfather’s Quarz 1 camera, a small Soviet 8mm film camera, and decided to use it as a reference.
I have never filmed with this camera and have no experience shooting on film. When I moved from Almaty to Germany, I took it with me mostly because of its aesthetic and mechanical qualities. It works without electricity — powered only by a spring, light, and film.
My grandfather used to develop film himself at home, under a red light in the kitchen. Thanks to this, my family still has unique footage: my mother’s first day at school, scenes from daily life, and glimpses of a city and time that no longer exist. Watching these films is like looking directly at a piece of the past.
QUARZ 1 8mm
The Quarz 1 camera has a simple but distinctive design, defined by two main shapes that intersect and form its body. The first is an elongated, slightly rounded cylinder. The second is a sharper, wedge-like form that cuts through the main volume — similar to how a knife slices through fruit. This combination makes the shape compact but dynamic, and gives the camera a clear silhouette from any angle.
The control elements are practical and show careful ergonomic thinking. Most switches and dials are slightly recessed into the body. This prevents accidental touches and protects them from damage. Each control has enough space around it so the user can find and adjust it without looking. This makes the camera easy to operate by feel alone.
There are very few high-quality images or detailed references for this camera online. By creating a precise 3D model and realistic renders, I wanted to fill this gap — to document its design, materials, and construction in a way that goes beyond technical manuals or old photographs.
This project is not only for camera enthusiasts. It is about the beauty of thoughtful design, the pleasure of observing an everyday object in detail, and the small joy of recreating and preserving it digitally. What began as an exercise turned into a personal study of how objects carry history and how design can remain relevant long after its original function fades.
The switches themselves repeat the main design language: they are shaped like small wedges or tapered cones, with clean edges and gentle chamfers. Each has an integrated window showing the current setting directly on the knob, instead of using separate arrows or markings. Turning a switch shifts the window to reveal the next option — a simple but effective solution.
