
15 sculpts, 100s of possibilities
Our guide features instructions, personal insights, detailed references and full open-source code, created by people within the Black community, for anyone to use to create characters in the digital world.
Code My Crown is the result of hundreds of hours of sculpting, consulting and collaboration. From A.M. Darke and members of the Open Source Afro Hair Library to independent 3D artists and leading Natural Hair stylists, below are just a few of the people who made this possible.
A. M. Darke
Founder of the Open Source Afro Hair Library
A.M. Darke (she/he) is a critical game maker and professor of Games and Playable Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She teaches in the departments of Performance, Play, and Design; Digital Arts and New Media; and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Professor Darke is the founding director of The Other Lab, an intersectional feminist research space for experimental games and new media, and the Center for Black Virtuality.
A.M. is an internationally recognized media artist, award-winning game developer, and influential public scholar. In 2020 she founded the Open Source Afro Hair Library, a free resource of 3D assets celebrating Black hair textures and styles, developed in collaboration with Black 3D artists from around the world. In addition to his creative scholarship in the arts, Professor Darke has also won awards for her groundbreaking work in computer graphics, helping to develop the first algorithm dedicated to the simulation of Afro- textured hair.
A.M. describes himself as a gender-chaotic Black woman who values comfort, agency, and direct communication. She’s the CEO of Darke Digital, a playful media studio and consultancy located in Oakland, California.
A. M. Darke
Founder of the Open Source Afro Hair Library
A.M. Darke (she/he) is a critical game maker and professor of Games and Playable Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She teaches in the departments of Performance, Play, and Design; Digital Arts and New Media; and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Professor Darke is the founding director of The Other Lab, an intersectional feminist research space for experimental games and new media, and the Center for Black Virtuality.
A.M. is an internationally recognized media artist, award-winning game developer, and influential public scholar. In 2020 she founded the Open Source Afro Hair Library, a free resource of 3D assets celebrating Black hair textures and styles, developed in collaboration with Black 3D artists from around the world. In addition to his creative scholarship in the arts, Professor Darke has also won awards for her groundbreaking work in computer graphics, helping to develop the first algorithm dedicated to the simulation of Afro- textured hair.
A.M. describes himself as a gender-chaotic Black woman who values comfort, agency, and direct communication. She’s the CEO of Darke Digital, a playful media studio and consultancy located in Oakland, California.
Nai'Vasha Johnson
Celebrity Hairstylist
Nai’Vasha is a bicoastal hairstylist who specializes in natural hair, hair color, wigs, and men’s grooming. Her celebrity clientele includes Alicia Keys, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Lupita Nyong’o, Elaine Welteroth, Laura Harrier, Aurora James, and Serena Williams. Nai’Vasha has collaborated with top photographers such as Scott Trindle, Yelena Yemchuk, Nagi Sakai, Bruce Weber, Bjorn Iooss, and Renell Medrano on shoots appearing in major publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, ELLE, W, Harper’s Bazaar, and Allure. Additionally, Nai’Vasha worked on major campaigns for Aerie, Google, Chanel, Bloomingdale’s, Tory Burch, and Tiffany & Co.
Nai'Vasha Johnson
Celebrity Hairstylist
Nai’Vasha is a bicoastal hairstylist who specializes in natural hair, hair color, wigs, and men’s grooming. Her celebrity clientele includes Alicia Keys, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Lupita Nyong’o, Elaine Welteroth, Laura Harrier, Aurora James, and Serena Williams. Nai’Vasha has collaborated with top photographers such as Scott Trindle, Yelena Yemchuk, Nagi Sakai, Bruce Weber, Bjorn Iooss, and Renell Medrano on shoots appearing in major publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, ELLE, W, Harper’s Bazaar, and Allure. Additionally, Nai’Vasha worked on major campaigns for Aerie, Google, Chanel, Bloomingdale’s, Tory Burch, and Tiffany & Co.
Isaac Olander
CEO of Tallgran
Isaac is the CEO of TALLGRAN studios and has extensive experience in game design and 3D graphics. He’s had the privilege of working for world-renowned VFX studios and has since founded his own successful 3D production company. Throughout Isaac’s career, he’s gained valuable insight into the many pitfalls and endless possibilities of 3D design with the mission to deliver exceptional 3D content from creative vision to final rendered product.
Isaac feels honored to play an active role in a cause that he truly believes in. He is personally grateful to the many talented artists who have selflessly shared their knowledge before him. Their generosity has shaped his artistic journey and enabled him to reach where he is today. As such, Isaac feels incredibly lucky to have the chance to give back to the artistic community with this guide, by sharing his knowledge of 3D as well as his personal experiences.
Isaac Olander
CEO of Tallgran
Isaac is the CEO of TALLGRAN studios and has extensive experience in game design and 3D graphics. He’s had the privilege of working for world-renowned VFX studios and has since founded his own successful 3D production company. Throughout Isaac’s career, he’s gained valuable insight into the many pitfalls and endless possibilities of 3D design with the mission to deliver exceptional 3D content from creative vision to final rendered product.
Isaac feels honored to play an active role in a cause that he truly believes in. He is personally grateful to the many talented artists who have selflessly shared their knowledge before him. Their generosity has shaped his artistic journey and enabled him to reach where he is today. As such, Isaac feels incredibly lucky to have the chance to give back to the artistic community with this guide, by sharing his knowledge of 3D as well as his personal experiences.
Black hair is as dynamic, alive, and ever-changing as Black culture itself.
Hello beautiful
When it comes to your body, love the one you're with
Beauty is an all-ages show
Every body is beautiful
Be your beautiful self