I used AI to preview the 3D direction first, and it helped me land an $87k annual contract

I run a small design studio, so a contract like this basically decides whether we get through the year.This was a fox IP project for a sanitary pad client. Their original mascot had expired, and they wanted something similar, but not too similar. They also wanted to see an early 3D model right after the flat design was approved.I didn’t jump straight into full modeling. Instead, I used PixVerse to make a 3D preview first. I tried three material styles: fluffy, rubber, and puppet-like. The first version looked too shiny and a bit too sharp, with a pretty obvious digital plastic feel, so I added a wet nose, rim light, and some noise. The second version came out much better.The client liked it, and we ended up getting the contract, plus their packaging work for the rest of the year.Not saying AI replaces design work, but for previews and early direction, it saved a lot of time.