Janos Nyujto designs 3D sneaker in ZBrush and Houdini
The creative process behind Janos Nyujto’s sneaker project reflects how independent digital artists can push design concepts beyond standard expectations. What began as a casual experiment after seeing a viral sneaker shop UI design quickly grew into a highly polished concept, proving how personal passion projects can become meaningful portfolio pieces.
Without any involvement from Nike, the project was entirely self-directed and shows how modern tools allow individuals to create professional-grade work outside traditional industry settings.
The sneaker was initially sculpted in ZBrush, marking the artist’s third attempt at footwear modeling. With guidance from Thivolan 3D’s tutorials, the sculpt achieved a clean and functional base. Once completed, the model was textured in Substance Painter.
By avoiding overcomplication and trusting instinct, the texturing process was completed in just a few hours. This efficiency helped maintain creative momentum and gave Janos Nyujto freedom to experiment with unconventional styles.
Although the early vision focused on futuristic neon aesthetics, the final result shifted toward a splash-painted look that felt more spontaneous and authentic. This stylistic choice opened new possibilities and gave the sneaker an expressive quality that stood out visually.
For future designs, the artist envisions drawing inspiration from raw urban energy, particularly the chaotic atmosphere often associated with Berlin’s underground culture.
The project’s most complex challenge was the fluid simulation used to design the sole. Houdini, a leading software in 3D visual effects, allowed the creation of a sole that appeared to flow like liquid.
Achieving this effect required weeks of trial and error with POP forces, turbulence, and curve-based controls. The solution emerged through a custom velocity field that guided the liquid motion with precision, producing the intended dynamic feel.
Adding visual richness to the fluid required advanced techniques. By applying a rest-attribute-based triplanar projection setup, the textures on the liquid responded naturally to movement, enhancing realism and artistic depth.
Tim van Helsdingen’s resources provided additional insight into mastering this workflow, underscoring the importance of shared knowledge within the digital art community.
This project demonstrates how dedication, technical skill, and creative experimentation can transform a simple idea into a portfolio highlight. For aspiring digital artists, it illustrates the value of persistence in solving technical hurdles and the importance of balancing instinct with structured techniques.
Janos Nyujto’s sneaker design stands as an example of how passion-driven work can evolve into professional-level creations while maintaining originality and artistic freedom.
All images courtesy of Janos Nyujto
https://www.janosnyujto.design
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