Permanent Collection

Radiating Beauty: Terence Ginja-Martinho Conjures Wonder From the Humble

Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2026

Proving that careful lighting and motion choices can transform even the most utilitarian of devices into objects of wonder and intrigue, director/3D artist Terence Ginja-Martinho gives a lowly racing kart radiator the full 3D beauty treatment.

Terence Ginja-Martinho: “The project began as a technical study focused on refining my hard-surface modeling and texturing workflow. Once the asset reached a satisfying level of finish, I decided to extend the exercise into a short film.

“The radiator is part of a larger ongoing project modeling a full kart. It’s an obscure, purely functional device designed for a harsh, dirty environment, arguably one of the least attractive parts of the vehicle. I was interested in shifting that perception, elevating a mechanical component that is usually overlooked into a more sophisticated subject.

“This project became an exercise in exploring how the right cinematic and editorial treatment can give even the most mundane piece of hardware a sense of presence and visual authority.”

“More broadly, this project became an exercise in exploring how the right cinematic and editorial treatment can give even the most mundane piece of hardware a sense of presence and visual authority.

“A lot of effort goes into building such objects, yet much of that labor remains unseen in traditional motion pieces. To address this, I approached it through a slow-paced film structure, almost like a title sequence, creating a sense of tension and presence around it.

“To round out the presentation, I integrated subtle HUD elements and motion graphics. These details act as salt to the edit, adding subtle layers of visual flavor without breaking the film’s dramatic, slow-burn atmosphere.”