Reference Gathering: Choosing Between Polyrendr and Pilgrim. Week 1 : Blog 2
Before jumping into the modeling phase, I spent time collecting reference material and figuring out what kind of look I wanted for my makeshift assault rifle. Two artists really stood out to me during this stage: Polyrendr and Pilgrim.
Polyrendr’s weapon designs are simple but sleek. They have a grounded, makeshift feel — like they were built from salvaged parts — but the forms are clean and well thought out. The rifle I was drawn to had a nice balance between minimalism and functionality. It felt like it could exist in a low-resource, practical environment, without being overdesigned.
At first, I was pretty set on using his work as the main inspiration for my prop. It looked like something that would work well in a game asset: readable shapes, good silhouette, and just enough detail.
But when I came across Pilgrim’s work, I changed direction. His weapons feel heavier, rougher, and more lived-in — the kind of gear you'd find in a harsh, post-apocalyptic world. The textures and materials tell a story: taped grips, mismatched parts, rust, and wear. That raw, gritty look felt more in line with what I wanted to make.
Even though I decided to follow Pilgrim’s aesthetic more closely, Polyrendr’s work still influenced how I’m approaching form and structure.
From Polyrendr, I’m keeping the idea of clear shapes, functional design, and simplicity.
From Pilgrim, I’m focusing on material storytelling, edge wear, and the idea that this weapon had a life before it ended up in someone’s hands.
As rightly said by Charles Eames
“Details are not the details. They make the design.”
Reference Boards
I made image boards for both artists to break down material use, proportions, and key design choices. I’ll be using these references throughout the project
(All references are for educational purposes. Credit to Polyrendr and Pilgrim for their amazing work. (Links to their ArtStation profiles and Youtube profile are included.)
Art of Pilgrim : https://www.artstation.com/art_of_pilgrim
Polyrendr : https://www.youtube.com/@polyrendr