Top Submissions from the Community

The recent RW × Vizcom challenge asked designers to reconsider the birdhouse, not just as a product, but an interaction between species, context, and material. Process took priority over polish. How would a tool like Vizcom shape the trajectory?

The submissions showed a wide range of interpretations, but what stood out wasn’t just form or finish. It was how many designers used Vizcom to add depth to their workflows, filling in context, refining CMF, and animating decisions. This wasn't about showcasing outputs alone, but rather the thinking behind the design and using a new tool to bring it to life.

Several participants noted how much Vizcom had improved since they last used it. Many spoke about working more iteratively and more intuitively. It sparked reflection on authorship, storytelling, and the role of tools in shaping design practice. That kind of conversation is what makes the RW community unique. It’s not just about the result; it’s about how and why we get there.

We’re thankful to everyone who entered. These five submissions stood out for their clarity of vision and transparency of process. If any of these five are yours, congratulations you have won a free 1-year license to Vizcom!

Selected Submissions

Duckhouse

By Germain Verbrackel (paradigm.)
Designed as a floating birdhouse for lake environments, DUCKHOUSE pairs charm with purpose. Vizcom was used throughout to explore form, simulate texture, and animate behavior. Thoughtful perspective and environmental context helped this one land as a small ecosystem rather than just an object.

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‍Kasa

By Edwin Tanu
Inspired by traditional Japanese umbrellas, Kasa brings detailed simplicity to the category. The workflow moved between Vizcom and CAD fluidly, with final renders brought back into Vizcom for scene-building. The design’s form and animation pace felt cohesive throughout.

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Eggy Nest

By Felixander Yuan Eggy Nest uses the familiar silhouette of a cracked egg to create a playful but functional structure. The entire workflow lived inside Vizcom, from sketch to material development and animation. A clean progression from concept to output, with an animated breakdown that made each step feel intentional.

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Ceramic Nest

By Léo Crespin
Formed as a single sculptural unit, Ceramic Nest balances organic shape with practical detail: drainage, access, mounting. Vizcom helped explore CMF early and rendered it with restraint. The result was polished but grounded.

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Pole

By Ward Mertens
Pole flips the idea of the post-mounted birdhouse by making the post itself the home. Visually minimal and structurally direct, it hints at scalability and feels as architectural as it does practical. It also stood out for its clear process and consistent engagement.

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Honorable Mentions

Other submissions caught the team’s attention for different reasons—material ideas, speculative themes, clear workflows:

Carton Feeder by Chris Ference
A folded sheet-metal feeder that blends into its setting. Vizcom from start to finish.

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Big Bird by Matthew Hanzly
A passive observation station with built-in magnifier. Rough CAD and Vizcom paired well here.

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Stacker Birdhouse by Thomas Mahota
A modular, dowel-based format aimed at easy production and scaling.

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Plastic Bird Habitation System™ by Philipp / Studio Cool Berlin
A conceptual piece on future housing. Visually bold and thematically sharp.

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Pulp Nests by Carson Porter-Keese
Compostable pulp interiors and an aluminum frame. Quiet, clever, and realistic.

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Ripplecrest by Felixander Yuan
Water ripple forms with a hybrid analog-digital approach. A mature use of Vizcom as one link in a broader chain.

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Solari Bird House by Yelyzaveta Spitsyna
A domed shelter inspired by pendant lighting. Visualized and animated in Vizcom.

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Final Thoughts

This challenge showed how AI tools like Vizcom can enhance the creative process without replacing it. Many participants said it changed how they approached their work. Some returned to Vizcom after a break and were surprised at what it could now do.

There’s still a healthy dialogue around AI in design. But this challenge made something clear. When used intentionally, these tools don’t flatten the work. They open it up.

Thanks again to everyone who submitted. Winners will be contacted directly for prize info.

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