Behind the teamwork of 3D avatar brand YOYOGI MORI - Designing avatars a grandparent could gift to their grandchildren.

Unlike in games or videos, in VR-centric social media, the avatar essentially becomes an extension of you. We feel that users will have peace of mind if their avatar, which represents them, is handled with respect and not subject to any extreme or inappropriate content. Our Terms of Use and management style have this covered, aiming to give users a comfortable experience.

We're also prioritizing regular updates to keep the avatars relevant and usable.

Taking all this into account, our goal is to create avatars that even a grandparent would feel good about gifting to their grandchild.

This production style offers significant advantages for the type of avatars we want to create.

For context, a 3D model is intricate, comprising various stages like modeling, setup, texturing, animation, and so on.

It's challenging for a single creator to excel in all these areas. Everyone has their strengths.

By having multiple people work on a single model, each person can focus on their forte. What one may find challenging, another team member can assist with.

Also, it helps us look at things objectively.

Even skilled creators might overlook flaws in their own designs or modeling. Feedback from peers, essentially fellow creators at the same level, can often bring these to attention. This collaborative approach ultimately helps maximize everybody's potential.

We select team members who can bring the modeler's vision to life. If the modeler wants a specific look for normal mapping or for the team to use a specific tool like Substance, we'll narrow down our choices accordingly. Also, we always reach out to each creator individually, explaining why we think they'd be a perfect fit for a particular task.

First, we look at their creative direction, especially in how they handle characters. Then, we consider communication skills, personality compatibility, and synergy with other team members.

First and foremost, I lay out what YOYOGI MORI is about. Whether in an email or in person, I talk about our goals, our approach, and why we want them to join our team.

It's a lot to take in, but most are on board with it.

Also, while YOYOGI MORI operates as a circle, many creators view our invitations as professional opportunities, so we send them detailed proposals including schedules and estimates.

This way, instead of the conversation being just casual chit-chat, the creators we approach can jump right into the specifics, like when they can start.

To begin with, simply having the opportunity to work with truly talented individuals who create beautiful pieces is a privilege. We hope to help them shine, and for them to bring their full potential to the table.

But, to be more specific, what we look for is the creator's ability to take a given theme and make it their own in a way that results in something truly unique and innovative. Those who can do this well are worth their weight in gold to us.

On a practical level, seemingly simple acts such as meeting deadlines, honoring commitments, and maintaining open lines of communication make a world of difference in establishing and maintaining partnerships. We see long-term collaboration potential with people who have both these fundamental skills and artistic talent, and we're always excited to begin new avatar-making projects with them.

Once we had that idea, we got YY_3dcg (we'll call them YY for short) on board to bring Mya to life as the main modeler. YY and I discussed our favorite artists and the direction we envisioned for the character.

During these sessions, we realized that having someone like Megumi Mizutani (known for her iconic designs in Pokémon) would be a game-changer. So, it became a collaborative project between Mizutani, YY, and me.

Precisely! Each member brings their expertise to the table, but by consistently sharing feedback and blending ideas, we believe we can create something truly special.

Beyond our task-focused interactions, we prioritize one-on-one communication with each of our creators.

Everyone has their down days or moments of doubt, wondering if they truly belong. While some can navigate these feelings on their own, others might need a bit more guidance.

That's why we make a point to frequently touch base, ensuring we're always on the same page.

Just saying, "We value you here, please stay," isn't enough to foster a genuine relationship. We emphasize the opportunities for growth, innovation, and learning that come with being a part of YOYOGI MORI.

It's essential that these align with the creator's personal goals; we frequently dive deep, discussing how their career aspirations align with YOYOGI MORI’s broader vision.

We actively cultivate an environment where all voices and ideas are welcome.

Everyone at YOYOGI MORI is obsessive about quality. We all genuinely desire to create top-notch work and are deeply interested in each other’s tasks. For instance, in 3D modeling, how the texture relates significantly to the modeling process. So, elevating your own part's quality might require giving feedback on another's jobーthat's crucial.

Our team is very diverseーwe have housewives, full-time employees, and members not just from Japan but from all over the world.

Ensuring such a varied group works harmoniously requires effort. The real challenge lies not in building the team but in sustaining it.

Everyone who joins us isn't martyring themselves to do so. They're here to chase their passions and achieve personal goals. As they chase their passions, they simultaneously contribute to the self-realization of other team members. Balancing these seemingly contrasting dynamics requires meticulous system-building.

By aligning goals and creating clear pathways, we believe in pushing the envelope. It’s an ongoing journey of learning and refining.

Realistically, no relationship stays perfect without any effort or communication.

There'll always be moments where the team doesn't see eye-to-eye due to a variety of reasons—be it schedules, commitment levels, money, and more. But the trick is to adjust on the go and ensure we keep the communication channels open.

And, even if there's a brief parting, people often come back when the timing feels right. So, I’m careful never to burn bridges entirely.

It boils down to a few key things: the mindset of each team member, fostering open communication, forming teams based on compatibility, and setting up a supportive environment.

And, not to forget, getting the financial and contractual bits right is crucial to prevent pitfalls.

Even in circle activities, revenue is involved. We're upfront about money talk, like what percentage from the avatar sales each creator will get and how much they'll earn for each task. And, most importantly, we stick to our word.

So it's smart to form contracts at the beginning of a relationship or at significant milestones.

We aim to feature outfits that one would want to wear daily—pieces that, if created in real life, wouldn't appear out of place in a fashion magazine.

Our ongoing YOYOGI MORI virtual wear collection has always been about the combination of avatars and fashion, and that remains unchanged. However, with UTSUTSU, the spotlight is more on the act of changing outfits to suit the occasion.

We're aware that not everyone can easily modify outfits in Blender, so we hope this collection offers a more accessible way for users to change their avatars' looks.

Building a team amplifies your strengths. It allows others to complement your weaknesses, enabling you to better showcase what you excel at. Together, you can achieve goals much faster than if you were working alone.

It doesn't always have to be a formal team; even casual connections can ward off feelings of loneliness during tough times.

Having someone by your side or someone you can reach out to without hesitation can make all the difference.

Most importantly, be brave and pursue the path you truly desire.