Built to capture the tension and intrigue of a dystopian underground economy, Black Market fuses layered architecture, modular design, and cinematic atmosphere. From back-alley arms deals to towering surveillance hubs, every model in this Kit was crafted to immerse creators in worlds that feel alive, dangerous, and deeply human.
In this edition of Behind the Kit, we spoke with the artists who created a world of neon haze, illicit trade, and whispered deals. Learn how they designed 3D assets for a clandestine world and what it took to bring its hidden stories to light.
What was your favorite part about working on the Black Market Kit and why?
“Almost every sci-fi universe has its own black market. A place where underground deals are made, hidden from view. The challenge was how to show something secretive but still understandable. This Kit became a study in form and negative space, voids within structures, narrow streets carved into massive silhouettes, and hidden niches where trade happens. It was a fascinating experience.” — Vladislav Shlenov, Concept Designer
“With the last few years of work and study, I’ve really come to love sci-fi environments because of the amount of detail you can achieve. That’s what got me excited about this Kit. We could mix modeling and texturing to add so much richness, and I loved watching it all come together.” — Anderson Araujo, Material Artist
“My favorite part was seeing it all come together during the set dressing, cable pass, and cloth pass. Watching the layers of structural, environmental, and atmospheric detail blend into one cohesive world was incredibly rewarding.” — JD Havenga, 3D Modeler
“It was amazing to work with such detailed concept art. I was immediately inspired by the designs Vlad created, especially the drones, turrets, robots, and weapons. I couldn’t wait to get started.” — Nikita Kulchitskiy, Material Artist
“I really enjoyed the theme of this Kit. It was fun implementing sci-fi elements while keeping it grounded in reality. It was also great trying a new workflow with the team. We really leveled up with this one!” — Lienny Ruiz, 3D Modeler
What was the most challenging part about this Kit, and how did you overcome that challenge?
“The biggest challenge was creating a sense of secrecy and concealment. You can’t make it completely closed off, or it’s too boring, but you can’t make it too open either, or it loses the mystery. We had to balance scale and modularity carefully to make every space believable, from tight corridors to narrow stairs. In the end, the modular system gave us a world that felt complex and alive.” — Vladislav Shlenov, Concept Designer
“The hardest part was figuring out modularity. We didn’t want a system that forced users to micro-manage too many small pieces, but we also didn’t want it to feel too simple or repetitive. Striking that balance between flexibility and realism was tough, but we made it work through smart variation.” — JD Havenga, 3D Modeler
“Matching the level of detail in the highly intricate geometry that Lienny and JD created was a huge challenge. To keep up, Anderson and I focused on building equally detailed trim materials, which helped everything stay consistent and cohesive.” — Nikita Kulchitskiy, Material Artist
“We added a ton of greebles and details, but making all of that modular was the real challenge. It pushed us to rethink our workflow, and I’m proud of how we pulled it off.” — Lienny Ruiz, 3D Modeler
Is there anything about the Black Market Kit you’d like to highlight or shout out?
“This was a challenging set from a design standpoint, complex forms, small-scale detail, and layered architecture, but the team did an amazing job in modeling and texturing. They captured every nuance and added even more. Huge kudos to everyone involved!” — Vladislav Shlenov, Concept Designer
“I’d like to highlight the amount of detail we achieved, especially in the floors. They turned out beautifully.” — Anderson Araujo, Material Artist
“Huge shoutout to Vlad for the amazing concept design. He built such a compelling, intricate foundation for the structures.” — JD Havenga, 3D Modeler
“I was really inspired by Vlad’s prop concepts and JD’s detailed modeling. The drones, guns, and mechs looked incredible. I added a grungy sci-fi look and emissive details to help everything fit the style.” — Nikita Kulchitskiy, Material Artist
“Shoutout to the whole team for taking on this Kit while juggling a completely new workflow and still producing amazing work!” — Lienny Ruiz, 3D Modeler
Do you have a favorite asset from the Kit?
“I really loved the Shadow Armory, the Rift Bazaar, and The Last Deal Bar.” — Anderson Araujo, Material Artist
“The Last Deal Bar is my favorite structure. I love the circular section in the middle with the market underneath. Iit feels like a wretched hive of scum and villainy.” — JD Havenga, 3D Modeler
“My favorite prop is definitely the security guard mecha. It feels like a younger brother to the ones from our Mech Wars Kit. I tried to match that battle-worn look to keep it consistent with that universe.” — Nikita Kulchitskiy, Material Artist
“I love all the props—they look incredible! Huge shoutout to JD for the awesome models and Nikita for the sweet textures. The Last Deal Bar has such a unique shape, and the robot repair area looks amazing too. Every building is so distinct, it’s hard to pick just one favorite.” — Lienny Ruiz, 3D Modeler
What themes or stories influenced the design?
“Many influences shaped the Kit: southern bazaars, the markets of Blade Runner, and more. But most importantly, this Kit lives in the same universe as Future Warfare. I hope you find it fascinating and can’t wait to see what stories you tell with it.” — Vladislav Shlenov, Concept Designer
From the flicker of neon lights across rusted metal to the narrow corridors buzzing with illicit trade, the Black Market Kit is a masterclass in worldbuilding through contrast—chaos and control, grit and beauty, danger and opportunity. Each structure, prop, and material invites creators to explore stories that live in the margins of civilization, where survival depends on the deals you make and the secrets you keep.
The Black Market Kit is available now in Cargo and on our web store. Step into the shadows, start building, and tag @KitBash3D to show us what thrives in your underground world.
