Aaron Sims Creative: creators of the Stranger Things Demogorgon

We interviewed Aaron Sims Creative, who 3D printed the Demogorgon used in the filming of Netflix’s Stranger Things. The creative studio employ a variety of methods in creating their characters for TV and films. We asked them about how they got into 3D printing, its applications, and the process of creating the Demogorgon.

3DN: Can you introduce yourself and your design studio?

We are a concept design and visual effects studio that specializes in character and world building for film, TV, digital and beyond. Our unique ‘Sketch to Screen’ workflow, as we like to call it, allows us to work collaboratively with filmmakers from the very beginning of project development and visualization to help bring their vision to life through designs, storyboards, animatics, previsualization, visual effects… and most recently 3D rapid prototyping.

3DN: What is your link with 3D printing?

This is a relatively new and increasingly valued aspect of our workflow, allowing us to bring otherwise digital 2D designs and models to life in physical form. It began with our first print of the Demogorgon, which we designed for the Duffer Brothers for Stranger Things. Once a few clients got a glimpse of this imposing, hand-painted 3D model they immediately began requesting similar 3D prints for their own characters and projects. We believe it is an essential part of the visualization process and we’ll continue to explore the boundaries of where this medium can help us in our creative process.