Unframed Collection is a partner of Numix Lab, a touring event in Europe that each year takes professionals and experts in immersive creation to meet the cultural centres of the host countries. In 2024, Germany welcomed 250 people, with an intense week of exchanges and discoveries between Munich, Leipzig and Berlin! To mark the occasion, we met with Violeta Vasileva, partnerships and growth manager Mimic Productions.
Mimic Productions and Its Mission
Violeta Vasileva – My name is Violeta Vasileva, and I represent Mimic Productions, a Berlin-based studio located in the Wedding district. Our core focus is the creation of digital humans. We specialize in 3D animation, motion capture, and 3D scanning—essentially, all the technologies required to create realistic digital people.
The immersive technologies behind digital human creation
V. V. – We have a comprehensive digital human pipeline that doesn’t just apply to people—it extends to objects and garments as well. We begin with 3D scanning, then proceed through a detailed process including rigging, motion capture, texturing, and coloring to arrive at a fully animated 3D model.
V. V. – The content we produce can be used in a wide array of formats: video, AR, VR, XR, projection mapping—anywhere a screen or display is involved. While our work is grounded in 3D animation, its applications span industries such as fashion, music videos, and cultural heritage preservation.
Recreating historical garments through immersive experiences
V. V. – One of our most fascinating projects involved scanning and digitally recreating 200 to 300 historical garments from the 18th and 19th centuries. These unique items—too fragile to be worn or widely exhibited—were brought to life through immersive exhibitions. We created 3D models of the garments and added animated elements to convey the essence and story behind each piece. This project offered a fresh perspective on fashion and highlighted how digital tools can preserve and enhance appreciation for items that are otherwise inaccessible.
From holograms to 3D projection
V. V. – The exhibition combined hologram displays and traditional 2D wall projections, but all visuals were created in 3D. It was a hybrid presentation that merged the immersive with the traditional, making the historical content more engaging and emotionally resonant.
Inside the studio
V. V. – We’re based out of a unique venue in Berlin—a former crematorium that’s now a cultural space called Silent Green. Our core team consists of around 20 people but can scale up to 70 depending on project demands. Our talent pool includes 3D artists, technical artists, programmers, riggers, and more—a blend of highly creative and highly technical professionals. This diversity is key to our multidisciplinary approach.
Fashion, Mona Lisa, and 3D advertising
V. V. – A notable project involved recreating the Mona Lisa as a modern fashion icon for a major clothing campaign. We rebuilt her likeness and gave her a lifelike presence and personality, allowing viewers to imagine how she might look and move if she were alive today. We also frequently engage in 3D advertising and pre-production prototyping for fashion clients.
Collaborating with venues and distributing digital work
V. V. – We usually participate in high-level, collaborative projects that bring together multiple stakeholders. The venues are crucial, but they’re part of a larger ecosystem that includes artists, clients, and technologists. Often, we get involved through our network or via specific client requests—musicians, for example, may have a clear vision of where they want to present their content.
V. V. – Our main distribution strategy relies on this network of collaborators. Each project leads us to new contexts where our work can be showcased—be it galleries, festivals, or digital campaigns.
Community Building
V. V. – Client relationships and partnerships are central to our work. Because of the complexity and quality of what we do, maintaining a strong connection is essential. Many of our projects evolve into longer-term collaborations, and we strive to build a community around the digital human space.
Looking to the Future
V. V. – I believe our work will become even more collaborative. With today’s global gig economy, we have instant access to knowledge, talent, and ideas from around the world. Collaboration across borders and disciplines will become standard.
V. V. – Additionally, AI will play a growing role in redefining content creation. It will open new doors for artists to work together, blending technical and creative strengths. I think we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible, and the next few years will be pivotal in shaping this new frontier.