Liepa Zalatoriūtė is a student at the Vilnius Academy of Arts and participated in the FashionTEX Riga Makerspace 2026. During these two intensive weeks, she honed her CLO3D skills, explored new software and editing tools, and delved deeply into artificial intelligence. Key highlights for her included the daily work in the makerspace, expert support, and the opportunity to collaboratively solve technical challenges. She leaves Riga not only with new digital skills but also with a desire to explore CLO3D even further in the future.

Liepa, what new skills or insights did you gain at the makerspace?

Above all, I was able to improve my CLO3D and editing skills and get to know various new programs. It was incredibly valuable for me to move beyond just the theory and apply these tools directly to my own work.

Was there a specific moment when you thought, “This is a real ‘aha’ moment”?

Honestly, every day at the makerspace felt like that for me. There was always something new to discover, try out, or learn. That intense atmosphere is exactly what made the two weeks so special.

Did you make new connections with other students or universities while at the makerspace?

Yes, and I am truly grateful for that. The new contacts and encounters were a vital part of my experience in Riga.

What was the biggest personal challenge you faced while working at the makerspace, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was learning how to use new programs within such a short timeframe. That wasn’t always easy.

The fantastic experts helped me a great deal with this. With their support, I was able to solve problems and gradually gain a better understanding of how the different programs work.

What specific insights did you gain while working on your avatar or outfit?

I learned a great deal, especially regarding animation. I was able to figure out what wasn’t working during certain steps, identify where errors lay, and determine how to improve the outcome.
For me, that specific process of experimenting, analyzing, and improving was incredibly valuable.

Was there a moment that particularly surprised or inspired you?

Honestly, every day at the Makerspace was inspiring and full of surprises. I was particularly impressed by how friendly the people were and the fantastic support we received from the experts. That atmosphere made the whole experience special for me.

Which technical tools did you work with the most—and what did you learn in the process?

I primarily worked with CLO3D, AI tools, and editing software. In doing so, I learned how to use new programs and gained a better understanding of how to apply digital tools effectively to bring my ideas to life.

Working with artificial intelligence was especially interesting. I learned how to phrase tasks and prompts so that the AI ​​understood exactly what I wanted it to do.

Which result of your work at the Riga Makerspace are you most proud of?

I am particularly proud of the work I did in CLO3D. To me, it demonstrates just how much I was able to develop my skills over those two weeks.

How do you plan to proceed after your time at the Makerspace?

I want to delve deeper into CLO3D and learn more about it in the future. The Makerspace showed me the possibilities the program offers, and I want to continue building my skills in it.

Are there any ideas or projects you would like to develop further?

Yes. I definitely want to keep using the experience and new skills I gained in Riga and build upon them in future projects.

What was the greatest personal benefit you gained from your time at the Makerspace?

My greatest personal benefit was the exchange with the experts and the improvement of my own skills. Benefiting from their experience, being able to ask questions, and receiving support when facing problems was particularly valuable to me.

All in all, it was a fantastic two weeks during which I learned a great deal. I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity.

Photo Credits: Miks Uzans Photography