Today we’re catching up with Envato Elements and Market Author Cream-FX, whose item PARALLAXER 2 was the most popular video add-on in 2023.

Cream-FX is a Power Elite Author on Market, with over 30k sales (25k of which have come from a single item!). They’ve been an Envato Author for an impressive 10 years, so they know a thing or two about succeeding as an Envato Author.

What’s your background?

I’m originally a 3D artist who worked on video games and 3D series for young audiences. I then I went freelance to have more control over my artistic choices. 

I’ve been a Motion Designer and 3D Artist for 15 years now, and I’ve often found myself in situations where I knew I could do better for my customers, but I didn’t have the right tools. So I started thinking about creating tools for After Effects.

What or who inspires you?

My first inspirations came from the artists on Envato and my first creations weren’t revolutionary in concept, but I just tried to do better than what already existed. When I started creating unique tools, I was inspired by YouTubers specializing in Motion Design and tutorials that were really making a splash.

I said to myself: if this video is a hit, there’s probably a demand for it and maybe a tool or effect to develop to make it simpler.

How did you feel about your item being featured in the most popular items of 2023?

I’m very proud to appear on this list, and for many reasons. Firstly, because I believe this is the first time that an After Effects script/plugin has made it into this top list!

I’ve always had trouble getting out of the shadow of my best-selling item VoluMax. It’s an incredible success, but it’s very difficult to develop anything else innovative after a hit like that.

What are your top tips for new Envato Authors?

It’s good to be inspired by other things! You can even start by copying what already exists (art is just a series of people inspired by what came before). However, you always need to add that little touch of novelty or unique feature that can make it a best seller.

How do you generate ideas?

I’m not a very productive author on Envato—19 items in 9 years is not a very impressive score! I think that this is because I focus on quality rather than quantity. My ideas come a bit by chance: in my day-to-day work or something I see on TV.

My Parallaxer tool, which you highlighted in 2023’s most popular items, is a good example! It was while creating this video with very complex parallax scenes for a client that I had the idea of making this tool.

How has Envato helped you to achieve creative success?

As soon as some of my creations had a certain success, I noticed that the Envato staff started to highlight my work in promotions or newsletters. I was able to get in touch with the marketing team to promote updates and my new projects more effectively.

What creative trends are you loving at the moment?

Currently, like many others, I am into AI-assisted creation. It may not be very original, but it’s crucial to closely monitor it for various reasons. I’m watching it develop with a mixture of fascination and concern.

Can you share any examples of where your items have been used?

I have had a lot of very famous customers like NASA, HBO, Disney, History Channel, National Geographic, and recently Warner Bros UK.

My item VoluMax was also used in a TV show in France (see video below).

Is there anything else you want to share with the Envato Author Community?

It’s not easy to become famous on this competitive market. But all it takes is one good idea. The best piece of advice I ever received was “Do not be afraid to fail because failing is learning.“

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You might also like

• See Cream-FX’s feature in our celebration of the most popular creative stock items on Market in 2023.
• Hear from fellow video Authors soundeleon, motionstate, Premiumilk, or FrameStock.
• See the top creative stock items on Envato Elements in 2023.