The 4 Pillars of Digital Twin Optimization: A Scalable Framework for Product and Content Creation

Featuring Kristian Sons on Virtual for Real, the RapidPipeline Podcast. 

In this episode of Virtual for Real, the RapidPipeline Podcast, we sit down with Kristian Sons, a digital twin expert and former leader of digital product creation at Adidas, to unpack the core challenges and opportunities around scaling digital twin workflows. 

As brands invest more in 3D assets and digital twins, the big question becomes: How do we move from siloed 3D projects to scalable, efficient pipelines that empower entire organizations? 

Kristian offers a strategic framework he calls The Four Pillars of Digital Twin Optimization, a model designed to guide brands in unlocking the full potential of their 3D assets across product creation, communication, and content generation.

Context: Why Optimize Digital Twin Workflows Now?

With consumer demand for personalization, faster go-to-market, and omnichannel experiences at an all-time high, brands are rethinking how they manage digital assets. 

3D content is no longer just for design or marketing, it’s becoming a central product representation used across departments and even with external partners. However, without the right systems and strategy, digital twins risk becoming another bottleneck. 

Kristian shares how his experience at Adidas shaped his understanding of scalable 3D workflows. He emphasizes that creating a digital twin is only the starting point—real value comes from how that asset is used, reused, and leveraged throughout the organization. 

The 4 Pillars of Digital Twin Optimization

Kristian outlines four key pillars that, when combined, allow companies to scale their digital twin usage and drive efficiency across product creation, communication, and marketing. 

1. Empowering Product Creators

At its core, the digital twin should serve the teams who design, create, and bring products to market. By integrating digital twins into their workflows, companies enable product creators to iterate more quickly, test more effectively, and make better-informed decisions. This pillar is all about giving creators the tools and resources they need to fully leverage digital twins in their day-to-day work. 

2. Facilitating Communication Across Stakeholders

Clear communication is crucial for any business, especially when multiple teams are involved in the production of digital assets. This pillar focuses on using digital twins as a single source of truth that can be shared with everyone involved, whether internal teams or external stakeholders. By ensuring all parties are aligned and working from the same data, businesses can reduce errors, increase collaboration, and accelerate time to market. 

3. Creating a Single Source of Truth

The concept of a "single source of truth" is central to optimizing digital twin workflows. By consolidating all information about a product or asset into one digital model, companies can avoid the pitfalls of inconsistent data across different systems. This pillar ensures that all teams have access to the same high-quality, up-to-date data, enabling better decision-making and more efficient workflows. 

4. Enabling Seamless Content Generation

The final pillar highlights the power of digital twins in content creation, especially for marketing teams. With digital twins, companies can easily generate customized content for various marketing channels, such as websites, advertisements, and social media. Whether it's swapping out colors, environments, or configurations, digital twins allow brands to create content more efficiently and at scale. This pillar also emphasizes the flexibility of digital twins in adapting to different marketing needs, improving the overall customer experience. 

Conclusion

Kristian’s insights into digital twin optimization offer a roadmap for brands looking to scale their 3D workflows. By focusing on the four pillars, empowering product creators, facilitating communication, creating a single source of truth, and enabling seamless content generation, companies can unlock the full potential of their digital twins, streamline operations, and drive better business outcomes. 

If you're interested in learning more about how digital twins can transform your business, be sure to listen to the full episode of Virtual, for Real, the RapidPipeline Podcast. You’ll gain valuable insights into how digital twin workflows can enhance everything from product design to marketing and communication, all while saving time and resources.