Going Beyond Reality, we explore the Metaverse through 3D Designs from Multi- Metaverse Builder Rizk Ghazaly. An exclusive interview learning about how he started, his journey and what he sees for the future of the metaverse.
Rizk Ghazaly was one of the first builders i met in Decentraland. I bought one of his first club builds that was deployed in DCL back around 2021. I ended up purchasing his work and made a music video content out of it. Seeing his work inspired me to reach out and learn more. Not only is Rizk building in Decentraland, he is building on other platforms such as Monaverse and selling his builds on opensea. He continues to inspire future 3D architectures for what is possible. As he is growing his network and collaborations, i couldn't help to ask him to be part of an interview. Let us learn and discover more about Rizk Ghazaly.
What's your background, and How did you first get interested in 3D building?
" I'm an architect in real life with 12 years of experience. I finished my bachelor's degree 12 years ago and recently wrapped up a master's degree in Biodigital Architecture. I'm also certified as a Project management professional (PMP) from PMI. I've worked in a few different countries - Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and now Costa Rica. My experience in architecture has given me a solid foundation for exploring the Metaverse and its potential uses in my field."
We noticed you were really early when it came to building in Decentraland, How did that come about ?
"In 2017, I became interested in cryptocurrency and purchased some during its peak period, which prompted me to learn more about crypto. Towards the end of 2018, I discovered Decentraland, and began participating in game jams and creator contests. I was fortunate enough to achieve several victories (I listed them on my website: https://www.metarizk.net/prizes), but it was all purely for fun as I was already employed as an architect in Saudi Arabia at the time.
Fast forward to 2021, I was approached by a client to work on his project in decentraland while I was living in Spain. At that time, I decided to give it a one-year trial to determine if this path was viable compared to a traditional 9-to-5 office job. To my surprise, the results exceeded my expectations, and I began receiving more work and building a positive reputation in the Decentraland. These developments ultimately led me to relocate to Costa Rica, where I now live and work in the metaverse full-time."
Music Video "Little More" by Serena Elis. Build by Rizk Ghazaly.
Can you tell us about a particularly challenging project you've worked on in the Metaverse, and how you overcame any obstacles you faced?
"I have encountered a few challenges and we can mention the two major ones here.
The first is the technical aspect that the architect needs to have, which requires a basic understanding of coding to have more flexibility and options when building. Overcoming this challenge requires a willingness to learn and a dedication to developing the necessary skills.
The second challenge I have faced is coordinating with some clients across different time zones. For example, I once worked with a client in Singapore while I am in Costa Rica, which presented a time difference of 15 hours. To overcome this obstacle, I made sure to prioritize clear communication and set specific times for meetings and updates that accommodated both of our schedules."
What tools or software do you use to create your 3D builds, and why do you prefer them?
"I primarily use 3ds Max since I've been using it for 15 years now, and I find it to be a very reliable and efficient tool for my 3D builds. Additionally, for certain projects, I also incorporate Blender, Rhino and Unity into my workflow, and I sometimes use Photoshop for creating custom textures and materials."
What do you see as the biggest benefits of 3D building in the Metaverse, both for creators and users?
"As an architect and creator, my work in physical companies for a decade required me to remain in a single country or city to oversee my work and office. However, working as an metaverse architect provides me with the opportunity to work in my field from anywhere and at any time, expanding my architectural horizons virtually. On the other hand and from design perspective, the metaverse allow your imagination to go further than the real life architecture, so you be more creative with your ideas and flexible.
Furthermore, as a user, The Metaverse allows anyone from around the world, regardless of age, gender, or physical location, to open their own store, office, or business without facing any legal or paper obstacles that they might encounter in real life. This opens up new opportunities for people from medium to low-income backgrounds, particularly in third-world countries. The Metaverse allows them to immerse themselves in big business without facing deep complications, enabling their talents and ideas to flourish instead of being restricted in their home countries."
How do you balance creative freedom with practical considerations like file size and system requirements?
"As an architect, I'm used to working within constraints. By careful planning and analysis, it's possible to find solutions that balance creative freedom with practical considerations like file size and system requirements. Striking this balance requires considering various factors and exploring alternative solutions."
How do you think 3D building in the Metaverse will evolve in the coming years, and what trends or innovations are you most excited about?
"Personally, I believe that the widespread adoption of VR will be a major catalyst for the Metaverse's evolution. As VR technology becomes more affordable and accessible, users will be able to interact with products in a more immersive way, inspecting them closely and even manipulating them with handheld VR controllers. This has the potential to eliminate the need for physical stores and facilitate remote work and learning. Moreover, the Metaverse's growing reliance on AI will enable even those without formal training in architecture or design to create their own virtual spaces. Overall, I'm excited to see how these technological advancements will transform the way we interact with the Metaverse and each other."
Visit One of Rizk Builds in Decentraland
Our readers are grateful for your time, and sharing valuable information. Where can individuals find you if they want to collaborate or work with you ?
Email: rizk@metarizk.net
Discord:Rizk#3797
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Serena Elis - Founder, of Daydream X Sea
Serena Elis is a Singer, Multi-Performer, 3D Artist, Blogger, and Music Producer. She is one of the First singers in Decentraland which is one of the first Metaverse on the Ethereum Blockchain. starting her journey in web 3 back in 2020, She's been featured on NBC news, and Mashable Magazine for her collaborations, and innovation in Space. You can find her in the Metaverse Performing weekly and working in the Entertainment World of Web3. She's also a digital native working remotely while traveling and with a devotion to creating engaging content with resources and helping other artists in their Journey.