CASE STUDY · SHUTTERSTOCK X TURBOSQUID X NVIDIA
Senior Product Designer, 3D Innovation @ Shutterstock x NVIDIA
Senior Product Designer, 3D Innovation @ Shutterstock x NVIDIA
Senior Product Designer, 3D Innovation @ Shutterstock x NVIDIA
Rapid MVP Design for NVIDIA’s Pioneering 3D Generative AI Initiative | Empowering Millions of Creators with AI-Native 3D Tools
Rapid MVP Design for NVIDIA’s Pioneering 3D Generative AI Initiative | Empowering Millions of Creators with AI-Native 3D Tools
ROLE
Senior Product Designer, 3D Innovation
REPORTING TO
VP of 3D Innovation & Principal Product Manager
CONTEXT
Shutterstock partnered with NVIDIA to bring generative AI into professional 3D creation and asset workflows.
Shutterstock partnered with NVIDIA to bring generative AI into professional 3D creation and asset workflows.
CHALLENGE
Translate an emerging text-to-3D model into a practical MVP that professional creators could understand, trust, and adopt.
Translate an emerging text-to-3D model into a practical MVP that professional creators could understand, trust, and adopt.
USERS
3D artists, film and gaming teams, studios, architects, educators, and enterprise creative teams.
3D artists, film and gaming teams, studios, architects, educators, and enterprise creative teams.
OUTCOME
Launched a foundation for AI-native 3D tools, workflow integration, and measurable business impact.
Launched a foundation for AI-native 3D tools, workflow integration, and measurable business impact.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 · Problem
02 · User Research
03 · 3D Gen AI as a Solution
04 · User Flows
05 · Usability Issues
06 · Prioritizing New Features
07 · Optimizing Prompt Entry
08 · Workflow Integration
09 · Product Launch
10 · Metrics Outcome
11 · Future Tests
12 · Conclusion
01 · PROBLEM
Prioritizing professional 3D needs across diverse industries.
Prioritizing professional 3D needs across diverse industries.
I led the development of Shutterstock x NVIDIA’s branding guidelines and product design for a groundbreaking suite of Generative AI digital products, including a text-to-3D API now leveraged by Shutterstock Studios. This tool was strategically optimized for revenue generation and became a cornerstone of NVIDIA’s expansion into the film and gaming industries. Before 2026, the product had evolved into the 3D Guided Generative AI Blueprint, enabling precise control over generative image creation by arranging scenes in Blender to guide layout, depth, and composition.
I led the development of Shutterstock x NVIDIA’s branding guidelines and product design for a groundbreaking suite of Generative AI digital products, including a text-to-3D API now leveraged by Shutterstock Studios. This tool was strategically optimized for revenue generation and became a cornerstone of NVIDIA’s expansion into the film and gaming industries. Before 2026, the product had evolved into the 3D Guided Generative AI Blueprint, enabling precise control over generative image creation by arranging scenes in Blender to guide layout, depth, and composition.
Input
Prompt intent
↓
AI output
Generated 3D asset
↓
Creator need
Production pipeline
UX focus: trust, control, export readiness
UX focus: trust, control, export readiness
From model capability to usable creator flow
From model capability to usable creator flow
From model capability to usable creator flow
Mapping the gap between a generative 3D engine and the decisions creators need to make before an asset is production-ready.
Interoperability was the adoption gate
Film, gaming, manufacturing, education, and architecture teams needed assets that could move cleanly into Blender, Maya, Unreal Engine, and OpenUSD workflows.
Film, gaming, manufacturing, education, and architecture teams needed assets that could move cleanly into Blender, Maya, Unreal Engine, and OpenUSD workflows.
Trust depended on clarity
Confusing legal language, vague file specifications, and unclear generation boundaries could make the product feel risky even when the model performed well.
Confusing legal language, vague file specifications, and unclear generation boundaries could make the product feel risky even when the model performed well.
The MVP had to teach a new behavior
Prompting for 3D assets was unfamiliar territory. The interface needed to make AI generation feel directed, inspectable, and useful inside existing creative production habits.
Prompting for 3D assets was unfamiliar territory. The interface needed to make AI generation feel directed, inspectable, and useful inside existing creative production habits.
02 · USER RESEARCH
File compatibility became the clearest trust requirement.
File compatibility became the clearest trust requirement.
Workflow mapping
Mapped how 3D professionals move from concept, prompt, preview, revision, export, and integration into downstream tools.
Mapped how 3D professionals move from concept, prompt, preview, revision, export, and integration into downstream tools.
Compatibility focus
Research surfaced file format cross-compatibility as the highest-priority trust requirement across industries and toolchains.
Research surfaced file format cross-compatibility as the highest-priority trust requirement across industries and toolchains.
Revenue strategy
Designed the MVP around practical use, API readiness, and enterprise value while keeping the product understandable for creators.
Designed the MVP around practical use, API readiness, and enterprise value while keeping the product understandable for creators.
03 · 3D GEN AI AS A SOLUTION
Translating emerging AI into a practical, usable tool.
Translating emerging AI into a practical, usable tool.
The MVP reframed AI generation as a directed creative workflow.
The MVP reframed AI generation as a directed creative workflow.
In 2023, at the dawn of the generative AI boom, I partnered with NVIDIA through Shutterstock's Product Innovation team to conceptualize prompting flows for 3D assets and translate the model into a usable product experience.
In 2023, at the dawn of the generative AI boom, I partnered with NVIDIA through Shutterstock's Product Innovation team to conceptualize prompting flows for 3D assets and translate the model into a usable product experience.
Creator control
Pipeline trust
Design prompting flows
Structured the interface around prompt input, generation feedback, model expectations, and editable output states.
Structured the interface around prompt input, generation feedback, model expectations, and editable output states.
Support real workflows
Aligned the product with OpenUSD and professional 3D pipelines so generated assets could move into production tools.
Aligned the product with OpenUSD and professional 3D pipelines so generated assets could move into production tools.
Clarify risk and rights
Reduced friction around file specifications, royalty-free terms, and licensing clarity so teams could evaluate adoption confidently.
Reduced friction around file specifications, royalty-free terms, and licensing clarity so teams could evaluate adoption confidently.
04 · USER FLOWS
Movie-production workflows shaped the first MVP priorities.
Movie-production workflows shaped the first MVP priorities.
We prioritized the needs of 3D users in movie production workflows. Through UX research and testing, we pinpointed file format cross-compatibility as the top requirement, ensuring TurboSquid and NVIDIA assets integrate seamlessly into studio pipelines.
We prioritized the needs of 3D users in movie production workflows. Through UX research and testing, we pinpointed file format cross-compatibility as the top requirement, ensuring TurboSquid and NVIDIA assets integrate seamlessly into studio pipelines.
Legal ambiguity
Rights, usage, and model boundaries
File uncertainty
Formats, export quality, and compatibility
Interface must explain what’s safe, usable, and export-ready
Interface must explain what’s safe, usable, and export-ready
Adoption signal
Creators can decide if the output is safe to use
Creators can decide if the output is safe to use
Clarity turns risk into adoption confidence
Clarity turns risk into adoption confidence
Clarity turns risk into adoption confidence
05 · USABILITY ISSUES
Small points of friction could derail adoption.
Small points of friction could derail adoption.
Further testing revealed that while cross-compatibility was essential, even seemingly minor usability issues could derail the user journey. Confusing legal language or unclear file specifications consistently eroded trust and discouraged future engagement. I reframed the design scope to address not just the core functionality but every point of friction along the journey.
Further testing revealed that while cross-compatibility was essential, even seemingly minor usability issues could derail the user journey. Confusing legal language or unclear file specifications consistently eroded trust and discouraged future engagement. I reframed the design scope to address not just the core functionality but every point of friction along the journey.
06 · PRIORITIZING NEW FEATURES
Reinforcing trust while showcasing product relevance.
Reinforcing trust while showcasing product relevance.
Reinforcing trust while showcasing product relevance.
From friction removal to revenue-driving product surface.
To elevate the experience beyond problem-solving, I introduced new features that reinforced trust while showcasing the platform’s relevance. Legal and file specification barriers were streamlined, while the homepage was reimagined to highlight TurboSquid’s impact in popular media. I also designed a mega menu that simplified navigation across the vast 3D library and clarified royalty-free licensing terms to support confident purchasing decisions.
To elevate the experience beyond problem-solving, I introduced new features that reinforced trust while showcasing the platform’s relevance. Legal and file specification barriers were streamlined, while the homepage was reimagined to highlight TurboSquid’s impact in popular media. I also designed a mega menu that simplified navigation across the vast 3D library and clarified royalty-free licensing terms to support confident purchasing decisions.
Streamline legal and file specs
Reduce ambiguity around licensing, rights, and technical fit so teams could move forward with confidence.
Reduce ambiguity around licensing, rights, and technical fit so teams could move forward with confidence.
Surface cultural relevance
Use media-facing examples and homepage storytelling to help filmmakers understand why the 3D library mattered.
Use media-facing examples and homepage storytelling to help filmmakers understand why the 3D library mattered.
Clarify large-library navigation
Design a mega menu that helped users move through an expansive 3D catalog without losing orientation.
Design a mega menu that helped users move through an expansive 3D catalog without losing orientation.
07 · OPTIMIZING PROMPT ENTRY UX/UI
Applying CRO insight to 3D product flows.
Applying CRO insight to 3D product flows.
The prototypes reflected TurboSquid’s innovative spirit, powered by NVIDIA’s technology and Shutterstock’s creative ecosystem. By leveraging CRO insights from Shutterstock.com and applying them to the 3D product flows, I successfully tripled conversion rates. These strategies were then adapted to TurboSquid’s rebranded platform under NVIDIA, ensuring a consistent and optimized user experience across products.
The prototypes reflected TurboSquid’s innovative spirit, powered by NVIDIA’s technology and Shutterstock’s creative ecosystem. By leveraging CRO insights from Shutterstock.com and applying them to the 3D product flows, I successfully tripled conversion rates. These strategies were then adapted to TurboSquid’s rebranded platform under NVIDIA, ensuring a consistent and optimized user experience across products.
Entry
Prompt exploration
↓
Signal
Friction points measured
↓
Conversion
Export-ready workflow
01
Activate
Activate
02
Trust
Trust
03
Export
Export
Prototype → CRO learning loop
Prototype → CRO learning loop
Prototype → CRO learning loop
Testing conversion paths before committing 3D workflow patterns to production.
Testing conversion paths before committing 3D workflow patterns to production.
Testing conversion paths before committing 3D workflow patterns to production.
08 · WORKFLOW INTEGRATION
Wireframing, considering long-term adoption inside real pipelines.
Wireframing, considering long-term adoption inside real pipelines.
To guarantee long-term adoption, I designed the product to align with OpenUSD, enabling seamless integration into film, manufacturing, and gaming pipelines. This focus on real-world workflows was demonstrated at NVIDIA’s GTC, where visitors generated and 3D-printed models live at the exhibition booth. What once required over forty minutes could now be achieved in under one, providing a tangible and compelling proof of value.
To guarantee long-term adoption, I designed the product to align with OpenUSD, enabling seamless integration into film, manufacturing, and gaming pipelines. This focus on real-world workflows was demonstrated at NVIDIA’s GTC, where visitors generated and 3D-printed models live at the exhibition booth. What once required over forty minutes could now be achieved in under one, providing a tangible and compelling proof of value.
09 · PRODUCT LAUNCH
A public proof point for the future of 3D design.
A public proof point for the future of 3D design.
A public proof point for the future of 3D design.
Revolutionizing 3D Design
Revolutionizing 3D Design
The product launch was highlighted in the panel Revolutionizing 3D Design: Unlocking New Dimensions with AI Technology, led by Shutterstock’s VP of 3D Innovation alongside NVIDIA. Attendees on the GTC show floor experienced the product firsthand through virtual and physical 3D models, printed daily to showcase the speed and accessibility of the technology.
The product launch was highlighted in the panel Revolutionizing 3D Design: Unlocking New Dimensions with AI Technology, led by Shutterstock’s VP of 3D Innovation alongside NVIDIA. Attendees on the GTC show floor experienced the product firsthand through virtual and physical 3D models, printed daily to showcase the speed and accessibility of the technology.
10 · METRICS OUTCOME
The business case for generative 3D became measurable.
The business case for generative 3D became measurable.
The business case for generative 3D became measurable.
100,000+
newsletter subscribers added
$100M
generated in 2023 through AI and ML data sales and training models
The integration of Generative 3D technology had a measurable impact. Our collaboration with NVIDIA expanded the user base significantly and generated new business through AI and ML data sales and training models, including via Edify 3D. These results validated both the user-focused design strategy and the business case for investment in generative AI.
The integration of Generative 3D technology had a measurable impact. Our collaboration with NVIDIA expanded the user base significantly and generated new business through AI and ML data sales and training models, including via Edify 3D. These results validated both the user-focused design strategy and the business case for investment in generative AI.
11 · FUTURE TESTS
The MVP created momentum for continued innovation.
The MVP created momentum for continued innovation.
The success of the MVP created momentum for continued innovation. I spearheaded UX design initiatives that emphasized file compatibility, resolved longstanding usability barriers in legal and specification pages, and introduced revenue-driving features such as a media-focused homepage, an intuitive mega menu, and clearer royalty-free licensing. These enhancements positioned TurboSquid as a visually compelling leader in 3D content, setting the stage for future explorations in adaptive UX, cross-industry adoption, and creator-first licensing models.
The success of the MVP created momentum for continued innovation. I spearheaded UX design initiatives that emphasized file compatibility, resolved longstanding usability barriers in legal and specification pages, and introduced revenue-driving features such as a media-focused homepage, an intuitive mega menu, and clearer royalty-free licensing. These enhancements positioned TurboSquid as a visually compelling leader in 3D content, setting the stage for future explorations in adaptive UX, cross-industry adoption, and creator-first licensing models.
12 · CONCLUSION
The official generative model API launched in 2024.
The official generative model API launched in 2024.
We had the official launch of our generative model API in 2024. So whether you work in Maya or Unreal Engine, or even in places like Roblox, there’s a real possibility you can take advantage of ethical 3D model generation within your preferred tools and platforms.
Learn how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca8i7Iu1jSM
We had the official launch of our generative model API in 2024. So whether you work in Maya or Unreal Engine, or even in places like Roblox, there’s a real possibility you can take advantage of ethical 3D model generation within your preferred tools and platforms.
Learn how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca8i7Iu1jSM
