hoofdmodel

Hoofdmodel is a Dutch term that literally means “head model.” The expression is used in several related contexts to refer to the primary or central form of a head representation, whether physical or digital, and often to the model that serves as a starting point for further work.

In fashion, display and crafts, een hoofdmodel typically denotes a head mannequin used to display hats, headwear, wigs, or jewelry. Such mannequins are manufactured in materials like plaster, resin, fiberglass, or plastic and come in standard head sizes or a range of measurements. They enable consistent fitting, styling, and photography of head-focused products and are common in studios, shops, and museums.

In computer graphics and digital media, a hoofdmodel is a head model used for character creation, animation, or visual effects. It can be a standalone digital head or the head portion of a full character model. Important aspects include topology, polygon count, texture maps, and rigging suitability for facial animation. Digital head models may be scanned from real subjects or crafted by artists and are often used as base or reference meshes for customization and reuse.

In data science and systems modeling, the term can refer to the principal or base model upon which other variants are built or evaluated. The hoofdmodel serves as a reference point in experiments, comparisons, and iterative improvements, helping to standardize metrics and benchmarking across versions.

The term is most common in Dutch-speaking contexts and is used across industries to describe a central or primary head representation, whether physical or digital.