Blending cultural heritage with modern design sensibilities, CGI artist Gamal Mohamed invites us into the creative journey behind Frameless, an 80m² art gallery in the heart of Zamalek, Cairo. Conceived as both a showcase and a social hub, the project highlights how thoughtful visualization can capture not only architectural function but also atmosphere and narrative. Through precise modeling, texturing, and a good approach to composition, Gamal transforms a simple gallery layout into a vibrant space of dialogue and creativity. In this making-of feature, he takes us step by step through the process of bringing Frameless to life!
About me.
Hello 3D community!
My name is Gamal Mohamed, an architect and 3D CGI artist based in Egypt. I graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Architecture Department, where my passion for design was deeply influenced by the rich cultural heritage surrounding me. Growing up in Egypt, I developed a deep appreciation for diverse artistic styles, from Pharaonic and Greco-Roman to Islamic and Christian art, each contributing to my creative identity.
With over five years of experience working as a designer and CGI artist, I've collaborated with professionals and companies across various regions of the world. My portfolio includes a wide range of projects, from luxurious interiors to commercial and high-end developments. This global exposure has equipped me with a e perspective, allowing me to tailor each project to the unique cultural background and needs of every client.
Project Overview.
The project, titled "Frameless," is an 80m² art gallery located in the heart of Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt. Designed as both a creative showcase and a social hub, the space serves a dual purpose: to exhibit a curated collection of art pieces and to display a variety of framing materials and styles. The vision was to create an inviting environment where artists, clients, and creatives could connect and engage with both the artwork and the design process behind it.
The layout is thoughtfully divided into multiple zones:
- A display wall with fixed artworks to act as a visual anchor and standard reference.
- A dynamic wall featuring a suspension system for rotating exhibitions and frame samples.
- A dedicated client meeting zone, designed as a comfortable seating area where discussions and product showcases can take place. This space also transforms easily into a gathering zone for artist talks, collaborative sessions, and community events.
Now entering the site execution stage, Frameless is set to become a vibrant, adaptable space that bridges design, display, and dialogue.
Inspiration.
The design concept for Frameless was deeply inspired by the vintage charm of Zamalek itself, a neighborhood rich with layered architectural history, where retro and vintage elements coexist in a uniquely organic way. This eclectic urban fabric influenced the core aesthetic of the space, blending nostalgic references with a contemporary, functional layout.
Additionally, the diverse range of art styles to be exhibited, spanning various genres and mediums, encouraged a flexible design approach. To reflect this visual diversity, pop colors were selectively used to highlight key areas, creating vibrant focal points throughout the gallery. Curved forms were also introduced to soften transitions and infuse the space with a dynamic, welcoming flow that invites visitors to explore, interact, and connect.
Software Used.
The project was created in full CGI with Autodesk 3ds Max and rendered in Chaos Corona Renderer.
3D Assets & Detailing.
To bring the vision of Frameless to life in the 3D stage, I relied on a combination of custom modeling and carefully curated assets from trusted libraries. I sourced several key elements, such as lighting fixtures, door handles, and decorative accessories, from online 3D libraries and Quixel Bridge. These high-quality assets helped enhance the realism and mood of the space, adding subtle but essential layers of detail.
These accessories were not just filler and they played a vital role in giving the project a lived-in, authentic feel. Thoughtfully placed items brought warmth, storytelling, and scale to the renderings, allowing the gallery to be experienced as a functional, atmospheric space even before construction began.
Lighting Design.
In my designs, I typically lean towards using cold lighting for its clean, modern aesthetic. However, for Frameless project, I aimed to balance this with a warm, inviting atmosphere. To achieve this, I incorporated an overcast HDRI with Corona Sun to create a natural, warm glow that complements the space.
I also used planar lighting on windows and areas exposed to the exterior, enhancing the connection between the interior and the natural light outside. By increasing the number of lights throughout the space, I gained greater flexibility in controlling the mood, allowing for various lighting scenarios that adapt to different functions within the gallery. Additionally, I incorporated IES lights to highlight key features, ensuring a focused and dynamic interplay of light that draws attention to specific design elements while maintaining a cozy, welcoming ambiance.
Below, a very helpful source of learning by The Common Point:
Materials & Surface Detailing.
Materials play a crucial role in creating a successful and convincing visual narrative. For Frameless, I paid close attention to each object in the scene, ensuring that all elements were assigned accurate, high-resolution texture maps. This careful material work is essential for achieving photorealism and without it, even the most well-designed space can fall flat.
I focused on using textures that not only looked realistic but also added tactile richness to the visuals. Subtle details like slight reflections in artwork glass, textured canvas surfaces, or bumped and scratched paint introduced authenticity and depth. Carefully placed pops of color brought vitality to the design, while the materiality of each object, whether it was a brushed metal handle, a matte plaster wall, or a polished wooden frame, contributed to the emotional and physical atmosphere of the gallery. These nuanced touches, though small, make all the difference in elevating the final image.
Framing & Composition.
Framing is a vital part of how I communicate space and atmosphere in my visuals. For Frameless, I used an aspect ratio of 1 to 1.2, which offers a slightly wider field of view that helps convey the openness and flow of the gallery. This subtle extension in width brings out more spatial depth and highlights architectural relationships without feeling too stretched.
To refine the composition of each shot, I rely on tools like the Image Composition Helper script, which assists in aligning visual elements according to classic composition rules. I frequently use principles like the rule of thirds, golden ratio, and golden spiral to create a strong visual balance and enhance storytelling within the scene. My preferred focal length ranges between 45mm and 65mm, striking the right balance between architectural clarity and a natural, immersive perspective.
Post-Production.
For me, post-production is one of the most essential stages in the visualization process. It’s where the final image truly comes to life. After rendering, I focus heavily on tone mapping and apply carefully chosen LUTs to set the mood and unify the color palette. These steps ensure consistency and richness in the visual tone.
In Photoshop, I rely on a range of masking techniques—using Masking ID, CTextMap, and SkyAlpha, to refine specific areas of the image. These masks help me isolate and adjust individual elements, enrich tones, and emphasize depth. I also experiment with sharpening and texture enhancement, using selective adjustments to maintain realism without over-processing.
Additionally, I’ve recently integrated KreaAI into my workflow, particularly for enhancing subtle details such as reflections and surface textures. I generate enhanced versions of select image zones and blend them back into the original render using precise masks. This allows for a targeted boost in realism and adds an extra layer of polish to the final result.
Here is a very helpful Youtube Tutorials on how to enhance your 3d renderings using KreaAI tool:
Final Images.
Below are all the final renders with postproduction.
Summary.
I hope you liked my article and found some useful tips to adopt in your workflow!
Best,
Gamal Mohamed.
About the artist
Gamal Ehab is an architect and 3D CGI artist based in Egypt. A graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Architecture Department, his creative vision has been shaped by the diverse cultural and artistic heritage of his homeland, ranging from Pharaonic and Greco-Roman to Islamic and Christian influences. With more than five years of professional experience, he has collaborated with clients and companies worldwide, producing high-end visualizations across residential, commercial, and luxury developments. Passionate about design, storytelling, and technical precision, Gamal continues to explore new ways of merging architecture and digital artistry in his projects.
