Baron® is known for crafting championship rings that embody the journey, moment, and legacy of their high school, college, and professional clientele. Notably, the company takes pride in having designed the inaugural PGA tour ring, which was presented to Rory McIlroy. They have also created the distinguished rings for the 2022 MLS Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Football Club, and most recently, the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame induction pieces. However, these are just a few examples of the remarkable rings meticulously crafted by Baron. Here, CEO Peter Kanis and Technical Art Director Will Bigelow share how KeyShot enables them to create appealing designs for clients, work more efficiently across teams, and create eye-catching marketing visuals.
Peter Kanis, CEO
Will Bigelow, Technical Art Director
What’s the inspiration behind Baron Rings?
Baron Rings can be traced back to the visionary actions of our company’s founder and my father, Richard Baron. Initially, he laid the foundation through the creation of Baron Insignias, a business that primarily specialized in crafting class rings and corporate recognition items. The direction of the business was a reflection of the market demands and trends at the time. However, as time progressed, the industry began to undergo significant changes. There was a shift occurring in the preferences of customers, with a growing appetite for championship rings. Recognizing this, Baron made a strategic decision to pivot its focus. Baron swiftly transitioned from its original niche, dedicating its resources to disrupting the championship ring industry. This sudden move was not without its challenges, but it ultimately paid off, as it propelled Baron to the forefront of the championship rings market. We have solidified our position as one of the largest and most respected companies in this specialized market, continuing to capture the journey, the moment and the legacy of our valued customers.
What modeling software do you use?
At Baron we heavily rely on Matrix modeling software to bring our ring designs to life, a platform built upon the Rhino engine. This software has proven to be valuable, and has allowed us to build out all the geometry needed to 3D print our championship rings. Furthermore, we’ve recently integrated KeyShot into our toolkit, a cutting-edge software solution that has had a huge impact on enhancing the visual representation of our products. KeyShot not only elevates the quality of our designs but also optimizes our workflow. It accomplishes this through the integration of custom scripts, which simplify the intricate process of model setup.
What’s the inspiration behind Baron Rings?
Baron Rings can be traced back to the visionary actions of our company’s founder and my father, Richard Baron. Initially, he laid the foundation through the creation of Baron Insignias, a business that primarily specialized in crafting class rings and corporate recognition items. The direction of the business was a reflection of the market demands and trends at the time. However, as time progressed, the industry began to undergo significant changes. There was a shift occurring in the preferences of customers, with a growing appetite for championship rings. Recognizing this, Baron made a strategic decision to pivot its focus. Baron swiftly transitioned from its original niche, dedicating its resources to disrupting the championship ring industry. This sudden move was not without its challenges, but it ultimately paid off, as it propelled Baron to the forefront of the championship rings market. We have solidified our position as one of the largest and most respected companies in this specialized market, continuing to capture the journey, the moment and the legacy of our valued customers.
What modeling software do you use?
At Baron we heavily rely on Matrix modeling software to bring our ring designs to life, a platform built upon the Rhino engine. This software has proven to be valuable, and has allowed us to build out all the geometry needed to 3D print our championship rings. Furthermore, we’ve recently integrated KeyShot into our toolkit, a cutting-edge software solution that has had a huge impact on enhancing the visual representation of our products. KeyShot not only elevates the quality of our designs but also optimizes our workflow. It accomplishes this through the integration of custom scripts, which simplify the intricate process of model setup.
What are some projects you use KeyShot for?
At Baron Championship Rings, we have fully embraced the use of KeyShot as an integral part of our project workflow. KeyShot has become a very valuable tool, and we make it a point to incorporate it into every single project we take on if we can. Its incredible rendering capabilities have become a constant and vital presence in the presentations crafted by our team. From the inception of a project, whether it’s a design showcase, marketing campaign, or a social media promotion, KeyShot is right there, enhancing our creative vision and elevating the visual impact of our work. Our portfolio of esteemed clients, including organizations such as The Los Angeles Football Club, Hockey Canada, and USA Basketball, highlights the significance of KeyShot in our work. It has played a pivotal role in helping us bring these high-profile projects to life, ensuring that the quality of our visuals matches the caliber of our clients’ expectations. With KeyShot as a fundamental part of our toolkit, Baron continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in every endeavor we undertake.
How has utilizing KeyShot helped Baron Championship Rings save time, money, and enhance quality?
KeyShot has reduced the need for multiple revisions with certain clients because we are able to reach a product they approve of more quickly. When the artwork impresses someone right away, it’s less work for our designers who would otherwise need to present multiple options to secure a sale. KeyShot has significantly expanded our capabilities in video and presentations as well. While we still rely on Matrix for rapid design output, KeyShot has enabled us to showcase our best work with a level of quality we couldn’t achieve before. The XR features (now called 360), which we refer to as interactive designs, are consistently valuable tools. Visually, KeyShot’s interactive features align perfectly with our goals and everything we aim to achieve. We want our artwork to accurately represent the final product, and KeyShot excels in this crucial aspect. Clients appreciate the level of detail and realism that KeyShot provides, making it easier for them to make informed decisions and envision the final look of their ring.
What KeyShot features are most helpful to you?
One of the standout features in KeyShot that has proven to be immensely beneficial for us is its robust set of animation tools. These tools have made a profound impact on our workflow and creative capabilities. Specifically, functions like 360-degree rotations and beauty shot panning have been instrumental in enhancing our projects. The ability to create 360-degree rotations allows us to showcase our designs from every angle, providing a detailed view that is invaluable in presentations and marketing materials. This feature has not only saved us time but has also significantly improved the way we communicate our ideas to clients. Likewise, beauty shot panning has added a layer of “cool” to our visual presentations. It allows us to smoothly transition between different focal points of the ring, creating dynamic visual experiences. Additionally, the material library and its user-friendliness empowers us to experiment and swiftly enhance our brand’s visual appeal, with seamless updates and easy sharing among the team.
Why would you recommend KeyShot?
KeyShot allows our business to take a giant leap forward in terms of visual quality, efficiency, and ultimately, our ability to stand out in the competitive market. It’s a tool that not only enhances the resolution of our visuals but elevates our entire approach to product development and presentation.
