Stefana Ristic Wins “Viz Pro of the Year 2025” at the CGarchitect 3D Awards
Each year, the CGarchitect 3D Awards celebrate the most outstanding achievements in architectural visualization — honoring artists who continuously push the creative and technical boundaries of the industry.
At this year’s Awards Ceremony on October 3, held live on stage at the World Visualization Festival (WVF) in Warsaw, Poland, Darkroom’s Creative Director, Stefana Ristić, received one of the event’s highest honors — the title of “Viz Pro of the Year 2025.”
Award ceremony at the World Visualization Festival — Stefana Ristic and Ricardo Eloy, CGarchitect.
This recognition was awarded for her personal project, Le soleil est près de moi, distinguished by its poetic interplay of light, atmosphere, and emotion — a visual story that resonated deeply within the archviz community.
The awards are granted by an international jury composed of renowned artists and studios whose experience and aesthetic standards shape the selection of the industry’s most accomplished works each year.
This achievement reaffirms Stefana’s commitment to aesthetic precision, innovation, and a narrative approach to architectural visualization — values that stand at the very core of Darkroom’s creative identity.
The Story Behind Le soleil est près de moi
This project came from a desire to move beyond typical commercial representations and create something deeply personal.
The central idea was to make a space dedicated to unwinding and indulging in passions after a busy workday. If you look closely, the subtle details within the room are a quiet tribute to the hobbies that define my free time.
Details from the personal project Le soleil est près de moi
The core emotion I aimed to convey was a profound sense of ease and quiet comfort following long working hours. The gentle, warm light of the sunset pouring in is deliberate, symbolizing the peaceful conclusion of the day and the invitation to simply be. This deliberate choice of lighting perfectly encapsulates the feeling of sinking into the sofa and letting the day’s tensions dissolve.
Final render from the personal project Le soleil est près de moi, created by Stefana Ristic — awarded Viz Pro of the Year 2025 at the CGarchitect 3D Awards.
Representing the room in this specific, natural light was key, as it provides an emotional depth rarely seen in standard commercial renderings. When a visual representation evokes genuine feelings in the viewer, it forges an immediate and powerful connection to the space and the welcoming atmosphere it resonates. My goal was always to elicit more than just admiration—it was to inspire a sense of belonging and calm.
While this project appears on the surface to be a simple design of a living room, it is, in fact, an exploration of simplicity through a highly personal lens. It was meticulously designed to feel comfortable enough for me—and hopefully for others—to truly relax after work. It is the perfect place where I can easily devote my time to listening to records, editing my photography, and playing games.
In Conversation with Stefana Ristić
Following her recent recognition at the CGarchitect 3D Awards, we spoke with Stefana about her creative process, the making of Le soleil est près de moi, and what this milestone means to her both personally and professionally.
How was your overall experience participating in the CGarchitect 3D Awards?
The whole journey and experience was amazing and surreal. I applied for the competition without any expectations, not even dreaming that I would be nominated, let alone win. The whole experience was really exciting and the CGarchitect team is very warm and welcoming.
What was the atmosphere like at the World Visualization Festival in Warsaw, during the awards ceremony?
There were a lot of people from this community that were very supportive and warm. Everyone cheered on for every category winner and was willing to meet them and have a conversation afterwards. Mr Ricardo Eloy who is behind the CG awards was very possitive and encouraged us all the way.
Your personal project Le soleil est près de moi received international recognition at the CGarchitect 3D Awards. What does this achievement mean to you personally and professionally?
It means that my work for all these years and devotion to learning and creating paid off and I’m glad that such an important community recognized it. Professionally it means an open door to new possibilities and maybe even collaborations. This community is wonderful and welcoming, so I feel like I connected with the people in it a bit more by winning this award.
In Le soleil est près de moi, light feels like one of the main storytellers — it defines both the mood and the title itself. Why did you choose this name for the project, and how does it connect to the atmosphere you wanted to create?
The name of the project was taken from a song of the french band “Air”. I listened to their album a lot when I was working on the project. This particular song resonated with me even before and while working on this it clicked instantly and I knew that it would best describe what I want to say with these visuals.
When working on personal projects, how different is your mindset compared to client-based work?
Working on personal projects is kind of a double edged sword situation, you have a lot of freedom to express your creative side but at the same time you can get lost in it because you have endless possiblities. That’s why it is best to give yourself some kind of boundary so you can focus better on what you want to achieve and not wander around with thoughts. Nonetheless, I think my mind is more focused and I have a more creative drive that helps me devote myself fully when I work on personal project.
What would you say to young artists entering the field of architectural visualization today?
I’d say: don’t rush the process. Architectural visualization is not just about making beautiful images — it’s about learning to see. Every project teaches you something about composition, light and human emotion in space.
Learn from architects, filmmakers, and photographers, not just other visualizers. Keep exploring different mediums and styles, and don’t be afraid to develop a personal voice. It’s a field that rewards both technical mastery and artistic honesty.
Be open to feedback, stay humble, and surround yourself with people whose work inspires you. Most importantly, enjoy the craft — the magic of turning an idea into something others can feel and believe in.
Closing Thoughts
Stefana’s recognition at the CGarchitect 3D Awards is more than an individual milestone — it’s a moment of pride for all of us at Darkroom.
We’re deeply grateful to have her as part of our team — someone whose vision, dedication, and artistic integrity continue to shape the way we create and think about architectural visualization.
Her achievement is a reflection of the shared values that define our studio: curiosity, patience, and a genuine love for the craft.
It’s a reminder of why collaboration and artistic freedom matter — and how, together, we continue to evolve through each project we take on.
Explore Le soleil est près de moi on the official CGarchitect website.
If your project deserves the same contextual storytelling and emotional depth, explore our portfolio or get in touch — let’s bring your next design to life.
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