Founders' Blog

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  • On meaningful life and positivity

    Recently, I have thought a lot about what positivity actually means. Under what kind of spirit do we live everyday, walking this path?

    Do we hear the birds sing in morning as we walk to the office in morning? Do we have time to smile to the passersby or make room for the elderly in a commuter train?

    Alfred Adler wrote in his book that all human problems are eventually interpersonal relationship problems. I would think so, except maybe a physical illness.

    One of the teachings of buddhism is that one should not worry about the things that they cannot control. Eventually, only “valid” concern being immediate death.

    A wise man even drew a flow graph like this:

    1. Are you currently ill?
      • If yes, will it heal?
        • If yes, no need to worry.
        • If no, will it cause death? If no, no need to worry.
      • If no
        • No need to worry.

    This was the only worry that he thought would be of a ‘valid’ concern.

    I liked to be alone a lot, working mostly alone on my computer at home. My early 30’s went by like that. But there was a turning point due to personal matters that kind of forced me to go outside and try working in jobs embedded more physically in the society. I have not once regretted that decision.

    One of the biggest things I have learned during the past years is that just interacting with other people in real or even via webcam is one of the most important things for human being. It is as important as breathing or eating.

    Then, eventually, providing a service for others is one of the most worthwhile activities. That act alone, regardless of stuff like salary, etc. will lead into positive mental circumstance. Of course, like in tennis we can’t just keep hitting balls without receiving any back, that wouldn’t make a very exciting game in a long term. But we got to start by a serve.

    Just getting up from the bed in the morning and actually going out, will more likely result in a positive outcome, than negative one.

    I think we are meant to be positive beings. And this comes naturally to us, eventually. We don’t need to smile if we don’t want to, or even be especially nice to others.

    But positivity is living, and doing things that benefit society. Giving it a best shot we can. Some days that may not be much, and that also is fine.

    I think of all the buddhist poems and books I have read, one thing standing out is gratitude.

    Today I have four limbs and I can move around and do things, I am so thankful. I can breathe air, and control my breathing, how great this is. Yes, I am thankful.

    I have had chance to work with really remarkable and inspiriting people. I am so thankful.

    I would like to exist today, making this world a little a bit more bearable and nice for everyone concerned.

    Jaakko

  • On Joy of Creation and AI

    On Joy of Creation and AI


    A reflection from the hayfields of Finland to the digital frontier
    by Jaakko

    Back in my hometown in Finland, we used to make hay in summer. It took several days, and we worked in shifts. Under the vast July sky, we loaded bales into the trailer of a tractor, using nothing but our imagination—like a game of Tetris. We got tiny cuts on our legs from the hay, and in the evenings, those cuts would sting in the sauna. But there was a kind of joyful exhaustion. The day’s work was done, the barn was full, and the golden fields glowed in the evening sun. The next morning, we rose early and continued, hoping the weather would hold.

    I carry warm memories of that time (though I don’t miss the mosquitoes).

    Whether digital or physical, I feel that with all this convenience of AI, we’re becoming lonelier than ever. Like ships without purpose.

    Any meaningful human creation or work is always connected—somehow—to other human beings. And any human suffering or problem is always rooted in relationships.

    Connection is what drives us.

    We wouldn’t build a house without a dream or a purpose—it’s hard work and risky business. And yet, we try. We have the willpower to make it happen, convenient or not (probably not).

    If we haven’t tried, have we truly lived?
    AI can help us create more, with less risk.
    But why do we need more?
    Is it really more, in the sense of being richer in meaning?

    Take writing, for example.
    A writer begins with a mass of clay in the mind.
    Little by little, they shape it—cutting pieces from their soul until the form becomes a pure expression.

    They reorganize it, refine it, and publish it.
    It might take a long time.
    It might be just a small book or essay that never becomes popular.

    But the writer feels that same joyful exhaustion as the haymaker.
    They’ve created something meaningful, and their journey is built into the work. It doesn’t matter—even if it hurts.

    Human meaning lives in the process and the journey.
    And that process is not meant to be convenient.

    I fear we are losing the joy of creation and living.
    Let’s continue creating—as humans.

    Jaakko

  • Unreal Engine Meetup Fukuoka

    It was such an honor to be part of Unreal Engine Meetup in Fukuoka. I want to extend my thanks to the host @natsumikan Epic Games Japan, Studio DigitalPlus and the Engineer Cafe Fukuoka.

    The energy in the room was heartfelt.

    I showed demos of several cinematic Unreal Engine techniques such as modifying MOCAP animations in Sequencer, rendering realistic environments such as Yoyogi Station.

    I showed modifying Landscape Material with Virtual Texturing. Thank you @スミオ for the photographs!

    After my piece, Mr.Shinoyama from Epic Games Japan held extensive piece introducing new tech in Unreal Engine. His demo was one of the most engaging I have seen, everyone was sitting on edge of their seat!

    We also got chance to see actual users projects and plans afterwards.

    As a professional working in the industry, taking part of this kind of event is a must have experience every now and then.

    Working in remote in CG industry we often get this invisible feeling of isolation, like we are struggling alone in the dark.

    Meeting other users really helps. Actually, we can work together and ask questions of each other.

    One of my personal long term goals is to connect Japanese Unreal Users accross Japan as well as introduce new and unexpected opportunities for working in real-time graphics.

    The future has never seemed brigher. Lets connect!

    Jaakko

  • Elevating CG Company Workflow in Unreal Engine

    On July last year I had pleasure of holding customized Unreal Engine training course for Digidelic in Tokyo.

    During training session at Digidelic in Tokyo.

    Digidelic is one of the leading Visual Production CG house in Japan with around 100 employees. Their slogan is “Move Emotion by Creativity”. Their wonderful works vary from  Live Graphics to Virtual Sets and VR and AR.

    In the course we went through cutting edge features of Unreal Engine such as Substrate Materials, Nanite Meshes and Niagara particle systems. It was such a joy to see the high enthusiasm and innovation of the participants. Unreal Engine is so unique platform as it allows so fast iteration and creativity.

    Every CG designer has their own strengths and passion for specific focuses. Companies, afterall, are just groups of people.
    I aim to inspire and elevate everyone in our custom training courses.

    We have also held training courses this year with major Japanese TV stations and broadcasters, specializing in elevating visuals used in ICVFX applications such as Vizrt.

    Jaakko