Chicago has its 2009 Cut & Paste Champion

Ashfaq Mohammed, VP of Studio Rendering, Inc. Takes Home Grand Prize in Cut&Paste’s 3D Digital Design Tournament

24-year-old Graphic Artist Now Eligible for Global Championship in New York City

CHICAGO, IL April 4, 2009 -- Ashfaq Mohammed beat out three other competitors to win the Grand Prize in the 3D Design Division of Cut N Paste’s 2009 Digital Design Tournament. This qualifies him for the inaugural Global Championship to be held in New York City on June 20, 2009. The competition, which took place at the Congress Theater, consisted of two 20- minute rounds in which the contestants had to produce a different digital still image. The themes for the rounds were “Ridiculously Good Looking” and “Pandora’s Box”. Contestants were evaluated in both rounds and the grand prize was awarded based on overall performance. Ashfaq’s winnings included Pantone ColorMunki Create, AutoDesk Stitcher, a 55DSL gift bag and clothing, and his choice of AutoDesk Maya 2009, 3ds Max 2009, or SoftImage.

About Cut&Paste’s Digital Design Tournament

The first Digital Design Tournament was held in 2005 in New York City with a 2-D competition only. In 2006, it grew to include Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco as well as New York. 2007 saw the expansion of the competition overseas, with a total of 11 cities included on the tour.

Cut&Paste’s plans for the 2008 competition were grand enough that it had to be pushed out to 2009 - they added five more cities, two more divisions (3D design and Motion design), and a 

Global Championship.

The first step in the competition is an open Call to Competitors. Applicants submit an entry form along with a link to their portfolio. Based on portfolio strength and performance ability, the top candidates are invited to the Test Round. In the Test Round, candidates for each city’s contest compete in a simulated competition round. The four best designers in each category advance to the city competition. The city competitions are open to the public and even include an audience design competition.

About Cut&Paste

To quote their website, Cut&Paste is a “social arena for the discovery, advocacy and elevation of design.” It was started in 2005 by John Fiorelli, who has a varied background in technology, filmmaking, and public speaking. Cut&Paste’s primary function is to produce the Digital Design Tournament, but they also host online design competitions and produce special events.


About Studio Rendering

Studio Rendering, Inc is a 3d Visualization Studio, specializing in state of the art 3D Animation, Photo Realistic Renderings and Engaging Web interactive tools for Architects, Marketing Agencies, and Product Developers

ASAI Award for Excellence

Studio Rendering, Inc. Receives 2009 Award of Excellence from the American Society of Architectural Illustrators

Work to be Featured in 24th Annual Architecture in Perspective Exhibition

EVANSTON, IL February 16, 2009 -- Studio Rendering, Inc. has received a 2009 Award of Excellence from the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI). “Monarch Room” is one of 58 projects chosen for an award out of a field of almost four hundred entries. The project will be displayed in the 24th annual Architecture in Perspective exhibition, which is scheduled to open in Miami on October 23, 2009 as part of the Society’s annual convention. The exhibition will then travel to various venues throughout the United States and abroad.

The “Monarch Room” project is a rendering of the Monarch Room in the Milwaukee Hilton. It was commissioned by Gettys Chicago. According to Sonny Sultani, CEO of Studio Rendering, Inc., it was “the dynamics of the image itself, and the amount of work the Studio took to model out each piece in the image” that led him to submit this project for the ASAI award.

Architecture In Perspective is a juried, international, architectural competition.

The jury consists of respected professionals in the fields of architecture, illustration, photography, fine art, or design education. The catalog that accompanies the exhibition each year is an important reference not only for illustrators but for educators and sponsors

as well. The catalogues are distributed and sold worldwide.

About the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI)

The American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI) was founded in 1986 as a professional organization to represent the business and artistic interests of architectural illustrators throughout North America and around the world. ASAI’s mandate is the fostering of communication among its members, raising the standards of architectural drawing, and acquainting the broader public with the importance of such drawings. Membership in the organization is not limited to professional illustrators, but is open to architects, designers, teachers, students, corporations, and anyone engaged in the serious pursuit of architectural drawing.

The principal means of achieving the organization’s goals is Architecture in Perspective. The artwork deemed to be the year’s most outstanding work is accorded the organization’s highest award, The Hugh Ferriss Memorial Prize. By providing not only award recognition, but also a forum for the practitioners of this art form, the American Society of Architectural Illustrators has focused attention on an increasingly diverse, yet refined, level of work.

About Studio Rendering, Inc.


Studio Rendering, Inc is a 3d Visualization Studio, specializing in state of the art 3D Animation, Photo Realistic Renderings and Engaging Web interactive tools for Architects, Marketing Agencies, and Product Developers