Best 3D Icon Designer 2020
March 4, 2016
How CRYO64 Began: The Unexpected Origins of a Futuristic Icon Themes Legacy
A Sunny Miami Day That Sparked Everything
The origin of CRYO64 truly began on a bright Miami morning — the kind where the heat rises early and the sky looks almost unreal. I had been in the city for barely a month, still trying to understand my new surroundings after moving from Mexico. Before that, I had left Argentina during the economic crisis of 2002, eventually finding work in Guadalajara. Although that move helped stabilize my life, I eventually felt a pull toward something bigger. Therefore, in 2004, I took a leap of faith and moved to Miami.
Once settled, I created Arnaez Studios. Meanwhile, even though I was in a completely new place, one thing stayed constant: my deep obsession with 3D. It had followed me across countries, and naturally, it followed me into this new chapter.
The Forum That Became a Magnet for 3D Creators
Because I wanted to connect with other artists, I launched a small online forum dedicated to 3D renderings and visualization. I didn’t expect much — just a corner of the internet where people like me could talk polygons, lighting, materials, and all the nerdy stuff that makes 3D so addictive. But the forum quickly grew into a gathering place for architects, hobbyists, and advanced 3D artists.
And while I loved our discussions about modeling techniques and rendering engines, I had another passion simmering quietly in the background: icons. I could spend entire nights downloading icon themes from different designers, studying how each one created depth, texture, and personality inside something so tiny. Icons felt like miniature artworks — direct portals into someone’s imagination.
The Crazy Idea Nobody Joined… So I Did It Myself
One day, fueled by stubborn curiosity, I posted a wild idea on the forum:
“What if we all team up and create a full 3D icon set?”
And then… silence.
Days passed. Nothing.
Eventually one guy replied, saying it was a cool idea but he had no free time. In other words: “Good luck doing it alone.”
So there I was — a great project in front of me and nobody to share it with. But giving up has never been in my blood. If the world wasn’t going to help me build it, fine. I’d build it myself.
An icon theme needed at least 180 icons. Which meant 180 independent 3D projects. It was brutal. It was insane. And it was exactly the kind of challenge my brain loves.
I started immediately.
Two Months Later—The Future Was Shining Back at Me
After two months of grinding, I finally sat back and looked at what I had created. The icons felt futuristic — shiny metallic finishes, reflective surfaces, gleaming textures that looked like they’d been pulled straight from a sci-fi interface. It didn’t look like anything else out there.
This wasn’t just a random icon pack. It felt like the beginning of something bigger.
But it still needed a name.
So I took a break, turned on the TV, and found one of my favorite movies playing: Terminator 2. As the story approached the end, that famous chase scene came on — Sarah and John escaping from the T-1000. Suddenly the villain steals a truck carrying liquid nitrogen… and on the side it reads: CRYO
That was it. The spark. The word hit me instantly. Cold, futuristic, industrial, technological — it captured everything about the aesthetic I’d just built.
Why “64”? Because the Future Should Always Run Larger
Back in 2004, Windows icons typically went up to 48×48. But my project wasn’t meant to reflect today — it was meant to feel like it came from some sleek future version of Windows. So instead of 48×48, I standardized all my icons at 64×64.
It was the perfect finishing touch.
A signature.
A timestamp from the future.
And CRYO64 was officially born.
A Promise: A Series of Seven Icon Themes
While researching what other icon themes existed, I stumbled across the same usual suspects: skulls, dark themes, horror styles. And I thought to myself, “Is this really what professionals want to see every day?” Absolutely not.
So I made myself a promise:
I would create seven icon themes, nothing more.
Seven is a number I’ve always loved, and it just felt right.
During one of my quiet moments of meditation, I looked over at my Bible and realized the names were already there waiting. Seven powerful concepts. Seven stories. Seven worlds. Some I kept exactly as written, others I stylized, but the series emerged naturally:
Genesis, Exodus, Levit, Ageo, Colossus, Corinthia, and Apocalypsis.
Years later, after a long personal conversation with myself and my original promise, I allowed one more: Xion.
The Launch That Proved the Dream Was Real
On May 31, 2005, I submitted CRYO64 Genesis to the legendary Wincustomize platform.
The first week brought over 900 downloads.
That moment… it hit hard. Something I built alone — something everyone ignored at the beginning — was suddenly being downloaded worldwide. Gamers, designers, developers, creative pros… they connected with it instantly.
It validated every late night and every ounce of stubbornness.
What CRYO64 Means Today
Icon themes might seem small in a world full of advanced interfaces and powerful hardware, but they matter. They shape your desktop’s personality. They influence your workflow. They can spark inspiration every time you open a folder.
For enthusiasts, creatives, and gamers, customization is part of self-expression.
CRYO64 was my way of giving that expression a futuristic edge — a way to transform everyday computing into something visually striking, cinematic, and full of identity.
And even after all these years, I’m still committed to pushing that vision forward.
Conclusion: Start Today — No Matter How Big the Dream Looks
If CRYO64 taught me anything, it’s this:
Your dream doesn’t need a team.
It needs persistence.
Don’t worry about how long your idea will take. Don’t wait for people to join you. Start now. Build. Iterate. Keep going until the vision staring back at you feels undeniable.
I truly believe God put me here to make the digital world more beautiful, one icon at a time — and I’m not done yet.
So if you're into customization, future-tech aesthetics, or transforming your interface into something that feels uniquely yours, stick around. This journey is far from over.
