6 Years of Blender in 13 Minutes

Summary

In this video, the creator reflects on their six-year journey of learning and mastering 3D art, focusing on their growth with Blender. They share the struggles, mistakes, and moments of self-doubt in the early years, the importance of community support, and the lessons learned from online courses. The creator also discusses transitioning from a hobbyist to a full-time 3D creator, balancing work and passion, and the challenges of turning a hobby into a career. Despite setbacks and burnout, the video highlights the constant process of learning, evolving, and finding new ways to stay passionate about 3D art.

Takeaways

• 😀 Year 1: The speaker's 3D journey started with Blender, facing frustration due to lack of basic knowledge and slow progress.
• 😀 🛠 Year 2: Despite doubts about Blender's professional credibility, the speaker focused on learning the tool and connecting with other 3D artists.
• 😀 💪 Year 3: The speaker experienced burnout after a challenging project but found that pushing through led to valuable learning experiences.
• 😀 🧑‍🏫 Year 4: Teaching others became a turning point, with the speaker transitioning to creating tutorials and content as a career path.
• 😀 🎥 Year 5: By focusing full-time on content creation, the speaker's online presence attracted job offers and collaboration opportunities.
• 😀 🔄 Year 6: Balancing creative passion with the demands of running a business became challenging, as the speaker struggled to return to personal Blender projects.
• 😀 🧠 Continuous learning is key: The speaker highlighted the importance of improving skills constantly, especially in an ever-evolving field like 3D design.
• 😀 👥 Community support is vital: The speaker emphasized how connecting with other 3D artists and joining groups helped maintain motivation and accelerated learning.
• 😀 💡 Turning a passion into a career can be rewarding, but it can also take the fun out of the hobby if not managed carefully.
• 😀 🎯 Goal-setting is crucial: The speaker set specific goals each year, from learning new software to teaching others and working on industry challenges, which kept them on track.
• 😀 ✨ Embrace failure: The speaker learned that initial mistakes and setbacks are a normal part of the journey and shouldn't deter long-term progress.

Q & A

What was the biggest mistake the creator made during their first year of learning 3D?

The creator's biggest mistake was not learning the basics of 3D modeling and diving straight into creating projects without a solid foundation. This caused slow progress and frustration.

Why did the creator initially choose Blender over other 3D tools like Maya or Cinema 4D?

The creator chose Blender because it was free and offered the tools necessary for 3D modeling, rendering, and integration with After Effects, which they were already familiar with from their 2D art experience.

What crucial skill did the creator realize they were lacking in year 2 of their journey?

In year 2, the creator realized they were lacking basic 3D skills such as UV unwrapping, texturing, and proper topology, which were essential for making professional-level assets.

How did the creator overcome the challenge of learning 3D when they felt overwhelmed in year 3?

The creator overcame their feeling of overwhelm by joining the ArtStation Feudal Japan challenge, which provided them with an external goal and the pressure to push forward, despite their burnout.

What was the key factor that helped the creator stay motivated during year 4?

In year 4, the creator found motivation through teaching. They realized they enjoyed sharing their knowledge through tutorials, which also helped them improve their own skills.

What impact did teaching 3D through YouTube have on the creator's career?

Teaching 3D through YouTube allowed the creator to build an online presence, which led to paid opportunities, project collaborations, and increased exposure in the 3D community.

What lesson did the creator learn from transitioning from a hobby to a career in 3D art?

The creator learned that turning a passion into a career can change how you engage with the craft. The joy of 3D creation became more complicated as it turned into a professional responsibility.

Why did the creator feel disconnected from Blender in year 5 despite their success?

Despite their success, the creator felt disconnected from Blender because managing a YouTube channel and business responsibilities left them with little time to focus on creating 3D art for personal enjoyment.

What advice does the creator give to others who want to make a living from 3D art?

The creator advises aspiring 3D artists to build an online presence, share their skills, and teach others, as this not only helps them improve but can also attract potential job opportunities.

What has been the creator’s biggest takeaway after six years of working with Blender?

The creator's biggest takeaway is the realization that learning and growth in 3D art is a lifelong journey, but the transition from hobby to career can sometimes reduce the fun and creativity originally found in the craft.