Learn the fundamentals of 3D and create models, motion graphics, animations, and more with Blender

What you'll learn

How to download, install, and set up Blender

Understanding 3D space and basic modeling concepts

Using modifiers like Mirror, Subdivision Surface, and Solidify

Working with the Extrude, Bevel, Loop Cut, and Knife tools

Adding detail and complexity with modifiers like Bevel and Boolean

Adding and editing materials like glass, metal, and liquid

Using lights, cameras, and render settings to make your work shine

Building 3D product mockups including bottles and packaging

Creating a custom 3D character and animating it

Animating objects using keyframes, parenting, and Blender's timeline tools

Refining motion with the graph editor and animation principles like exaggeration and timing

UV unwrapping and projecting textures onto your models

Build custom procedural shaders using Blender's node system

Create realistic surface detail using PBR (physically based rendering) materials

Exporting high-quality stills and animations for web, branding, and motion design

Class projects you can personalize and add to your portfolio

Tips, tricks, and workflows used by real-world 3D designers

Requirements

Download Blender for free, for either PC or Mac

Blender runs on most modern computers, but you'll need at least 8 GB of memory and a reasonably fast processor. More memory, a stronger graphics card, and a faster hard drive will all help with better performance.

A mouse is recommended for best control, but Robin covers trackpad-friendly workflows too

Description

Taught by 3D artist, animator, and designer Robin Ruud, Blender 3D Design Essentials is your gateway into the free software behind everything from Hollywood blockbusters to bold brand visuals. Whether you're a graphic designer, aspiring motion artist, or video game enthusiast, adding Blender to your toolkit will open up new possibilities for your creativity and career!If you've ever opened Blender, felt overwhelmed, and closed it just as fast, you're not alone. But this course is designed to change that. Robin takes a hands-on, designer-focused approach, guiding you step-by-step through projects that build real skills through practice and problem solving. From product mockups and packaging design to custom characters and animation, you'll gain tools you can plug into your existing workflow right away.Together with Robin, you'll learn how to:Confidently navigate Blender's interfaceModel clean, professional 3D objectsApply realistic materials like glass, metal, and liquidLight, frame, and render your scenesCreate branded mockup and packagingDesign and animate your own 3D characterAdding 3D to your skillset unlocks fresh possibilities for storytelling, prototyping, brand identity, and motion graphics. The secret? Once you've mastered a handful of essential tools and techniques, creating work that looks complex becomes surprisingly simple. Filtered through Robin's perspective as a visual designer, this course zeroes in on just those core tools, making learning approachable and fun.By the end, you'll have the skills and confidence to bring your ideas to life in 3D, and a collection of portfolio-ready pieces to prove it. So take the first step towards becoming a Blender Hero—sign up now to transform your design skills!Requirements:Download Blender for free, for either PC or MacBlender runs on most modern computers, but you'll need at least 8 GB of memory and a reasonably fast processor. More memory, a stronger graphics card, and a faster hard drive will all help with better performance.A mouse is recommended for best control, but Robin covers trackpad-friendly workflows tooWho this course is for:Beginners with zero experience in Blender or 3DDesigners ready to bring more dimension to their workStudents, freelancers, and in-house creatives looking to expand their creative edgeAnyone who has opened Blender, panicked, and promptly closed it againWhat you'll learn:How to download, install, and set up BlenderUnderstanding 3D space and basic modeling conceptsUsing modifiers like Mirror, Subdivision Surface, and SolidifyWorking with the Extrude, Bevel, Loop Cut, and Knife toolsAdding detail and complexity with modifiers like Bevel and BooleanAdding and editing materials like glass, metal, and liquidUsing lights, cameras, and render settings to make your work shineBuilding 3D product mockups including bottles and packagingCreating a custom 3D character and animating itAnimating objects using keyframes, parenting, and Blender's timeline toolsRefining motion with the graph editor and animation principles like exaggeration and timingUV unwrapping and projecting textures onto your modelsBuild custom procedural shaders using Blender's node systemCreate realistic surface detail using PBR (physically based rendering) materialsExporting high-quality stills and animations for web, branding, and motion designClass projects you can personalize and add to your portfolioTips, tricks, and workflows used by real-world 3D designers

Overview

Section 1: Getting Started

Lecture 1 Introduction to Blender 3D Design Essentials

Lecture 2 Getting Started with Blender

Lecture 3 Blender Overview

Lecture 4 Your Design Brief

Section 2: Interface Overview

Lecture 5 Tour of the Interface

Lecture 6 What Are Polygons?

Lecture 7 Other Types of Objects

Lecture 8 Class Project 01 - Collage

Section 3: Materials - Level 1

Lecture 9 Adding Color and Materials

Section 4: Modeling - Level 1

Lecture 10 What Is Edit Mode?

Lecture 11 Mesh Selection

Lecture 12 What Is Modeling?

Lecture 13 Extrude Tool

Lecture 14 Inset Tool

Lecture 15 Bevel Tool

Lecture 16 Loop Cut and Slide Tools

Lecture 17 Knife Tool

Lecture 18 Shear Tool

Lecture 19 Modeling Shortcuts

Lecture 20 Deleting and Refining Mesh

Lecture 21 Modeling Circular Objects

Section 5: Project 2 - Modeling the Bottle

Lecture 22 Class Project 02 - Modeling the Bottle

Lecture 23 Completed - Class Project 02 - Modeling the Base

Lecture 24 Completed - Class Project 02 - Modeling the Cap

Section 6: Render Engines

Lecture 25 What Are Render Engines?

Lecture 26 Setting Up the Cycles Render Engine

Section 7: Materials - Level 2

Lecture 27 World Lighting

Lecture 28 Creating Glass

Lecture 29 Creating Liquid

Lecture 30 Repairing a Bad Shell

Section 8: Project 3 - Shading the Bottle

Lecture 31 Class Project 03 - Shading the Bottle

Lecture 32 Completed - Class Project 03 - Shading the Bottle

Section 9: Rendering Images

Lecture 33 Combining Scenes

Lecture 34 Camera Settings

Lecture 35 Light Types

Lecture 36 Rendering with Cycles

Section 10: Project 4 - Product Render

Lecture 37 Class Project 04 - Product Render

Lecture 38 Completed - Class Project 04 - Product Render

Section 11: Modeling - Level 2

Lecture 39 Movement Shortcuts

Lecture 40 Subdivision Surface Modifier

Lecture 41 Modeling Symmetrically with the Mirror Modifier

Lecture 42 Separating Mirrored Objects

Lecture 43 Drawing

Lecture 44 Modeling Clothing

Section 12: Project 5 - Character Modeling

Lecture 45 Class Project 05 - Character Modeling

Lecture 46 Completed - Class Project 05 - Modeling the Head

Lecture 47 Completed - Class Project 05 - Modeling the Body

Lecture 48 Completed - Class Project 05 - Separating Mirrored Objects

Section 13: Materials - Level 3

Lecture 49 Working with Multiple Materials

Lecture 50 Advanced Shading

Section 14: Project 6 - Character Shading

Lecture 51 Class Project 06 - Character Shading

Lecture 52 Completed - Class Project 06 - Prepping Your Character

Lecture 53 Completed - Class Project 06 - Shading Your Character

Lecture 54 Completed - Class Project 06 - Rendering Your Character

Section 15: Animation

Lecture 55 Parenting

Lecture 56 Keyframe Animation

Lecture 57 Graph Editor

Lecture 58 Animating a Bouncing Ball

Lecture 59 Exaggerating Motion

Section 16: Rendering Videos

Lecture 60 Rendering Video

Lecture 61 Rendering an Image Sequence

Section 17: Project 7 - Character Animation

Lecture 62 Class Project 07 - Character Animation

Lecture 63 Completed - Class Project 07 - Parenting

Lecture 64 Completed - Class Project 07 - Animating

Lecture 65 Completed - Class Project 07 - Rendering

Section 18: Modeling - Level 3

Lecture 66 Procedural Modeling with Modifiers

Lecture 67 Spline Modeling

Section 19: Texturing

Lecture 68 Intro to Texturing

Lecture 69 Texture Setup

Lecture 70 Projection Mapping

Lecture 71 Intro to Unwrapping

Lecture 72 Manual Unwrapping

Lecture 73 Exporting a UV Map

Section 20: Project 8 - Product Packaging

Lecture 74 Class Project 08 - Product Packaging

Lecture 75 Completed - Class Project 08 - Product Packaging

Section 21: What Next

Lecture 76 What's Next?

Beginners with zero experience in Blender or 3D,Designers ready to bring more dimension to their work,Students, freelancers, and in-house creatives looking to expand their creative edge,Anyone who has opened Blender, panicked, and promptly closed it again