People don’t usually wake up one morning and randomly decide, “I’ll become an animator today.” It often starts with a film, a game, or even a quirky advert that sparks something inside. Maybe it was Toy Story when you were a kid, or the latest Pixar masterpiece, or a video game that made you feel you were part of its world. Whatever planted the seed, that spark is the first step. The second? Figuring out where to begin.
And here’s the surprise: you don’t actually start by animating. You start by modelling. Specifically, 3D modelling. Think of it as laying the bricks before you build the house. You can’t move a character across a screen if the character doesn’t exist yet. You can’t light a scene if there’s no scene to light. That’s why 3D modelling sits right at the front of the pipeline.
Let’s talk about why this matters, how it fits into the bigger picture, and what paths you can take if this is a career you’re genuinely considering.
Why Modelling Comes First
Imagine trying to put on a play with no actors, just empty space and an audience waiting for something to happen. Awkward, right? That’s what animation without modelling looks like. The models, characters, props, and backgrounds are the actors and set. Without them, nothing moves, nothing breathes.
3D modelling is the process of creating those forms inside a computer. Instead of chiselling marble or moulding clay, you’re pushing and pulling digital points, faces, and edges until they turn into something recognisable. It might start as a cube, but by the end, that cube could be a dragon’s head, a spaceship, or a realistic coffee mug.
And don’t fall into the trap of thinking it’s all technical. Yes, you’ll learn software, but it’s creative too. You’re sculpting personalities, building environments, shaping entire worlds. When people say animation is a mix of art and technology, modelling is where that truth hits hardest.
How Courses Can Kickstart Your Journey
If you’re looking for a clear path into this field, structured programmes can help. You’ll often find animation and graphic design courses that blend both the artistic and technical sides. Why? Because the industry doesn’t just need people who can operate software, it needs storytellers, designers, and thinkers.
These courses usually teach basics like drawing and visual composition alongside digital techniques. You might sketch character sheets in the morning and build those same characters in software during the afternoon. That balance is what makes them valuable. And being surrounded by like-minded people gives you the motivation you need to keep going when things get tough.
Sure, you could self-teach from endless tutorials. And some people do. But courses add structure, deadlines, and feedback, all of which matter more than you realise at the start.
Modelling as the Foundation
Let’s zoom out for a second. The animation pipeline is like a relay race. First, you model the object. Then, you texture it by adding colour and detail. Next, you rig it by giving it a skeleton so it can move. After that, you animate it by actually moving it. Finally, you render it. Each stage passes the baton to the next.
If the model isn’t built properly, every stage after suffers. Animators can’t bend a badly rigged character. Textures won’t look right on messy geometry. Lighting won’t hide poor proportions. It’s brutal but true: sloppy modelling can derail an entire project.
That’s why studios take modellers so seriously. They’re not just making shapes; they’re ensuring everything else works smoothly.
Picking the Right Training
When people ask, “Where do I start?” the honest answer is: with the basics, then move into specialist training. Plenty of academies and colleges now offer 3d animation courses designed to teach you exactly what the industry wants. These programmes often use professional tools like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, the same software used in big-budget studios.
But a good course won’t just throw software at you. It’ll teach workflows, problem-solving, and how to think like a professional. By the end, you’ll have a showreel, a collection of your best work, that acts as your portfolio. Employers rarely care about grades; they care about the quality of your reel.
Do You Really Need a Course?
This is the question everyone asks: Can you teach yourself? And yes, technically, you can. There are incredible resources online. Forums, YouTube tutorials, and Discord communities, if you’ve got discipline, you can learn a lot for free. But here’s the problem: without structure, people tend to drift.
An animation course gives you deadlines, mentorship, and often access to industry connections. You can still explore tutorials in your own time, but a formal programme provides a backbone. Think of it as a framework; without it, you might still build something, but it’ll wobble.
The “Too Hard” Myth
A lot of beginners talk themselves out of trying. “It looks so technical. I’m not a computer person.” Honestly? If you can play a video game, you can learn to navigate 3D software. The tools look scary at first, but once you understand what buttons do what, it becomes second nature.
The real challenge isn’t the software, it’s patience. Modelling takes time. You might spend hours adjusting tiny details on a character’s face. But if you enjoy creative problem-solving, that time flies. And the first time you look at something you’ve made and think, “Wow, I built that,” it’s addictive.
Career Opportunities in 3D Modelling
Here’s where things get exciting. Modelling isn’t just for film or animation studios. It’s everywhere.
- Games: Character modellers, environment modellers, prop creators.
- Film and TV: From blockbuster movies to children’s cartoons.
- Advertising: Brands need 3D visuals for everything from cars to food.
- Architecture: Visualising spaces before they’re built.
- Product design: Showing prototypes long before factories make them.
The point? If you’ve got modelling skills, your options spread far beyond the cinema screen. That flexibility is what makes it such a powerful first step.
Building a Portfolio
When you’re job-hunting, nobody cares how many hours you’ve studied. They care about what you can show. A portfolio with polished work speaks louder than a CV.
Keep it varied, include at least one character, one environment, and a few props. Show both realistic and stylised designs if you can. And here’s a pro tip: don’t hide your process. Employers love to see breakdowns, like wireframes or progress screenshots, because they prove you understand how things are built.
Things Newbies Often Get Wrong
Let’s be honest: everyone makes mistakes at first. Some people attempt to make complicated characters before they master the fundamentals, which typically makes them angry. Some people are obsessed with tools but don’t care about design rules. And a lot of people quit because they want results right now.
Here’s the truth: start small. Build a chair before a castle. Sculpt a simple head before an entire creature. Each small success builds your confidence and skill set.
Why Modelling is Your Safety Net
Even if you later decide to specialise in lighting, rigging, or storyboarding, modelling knowledge never goes to waste. It helps you understand how assets are built, which makes collaboration smoother. Studios value team members who can “speak the language” of multiple departments.
In other words, 3D modelling isn’t just your entry point; it’s your safety net. It keeps you employable, adaptable, and valuable to a team.
Why Choose Moople Academy’s BSc in Animation?
We believe that a strong foundation makes all the difference in animation careers. At Moople Academy, our 4-year BSc in Animation Film Making is designed to give learners both technical skills and creative depth. We aren’t just clicking buttons, we’re crafting worlds. The course includes:
- Industry-seasoned faculty guiding us through real workflows
- AI-integrated curriculum so we stay future-ready
- Hands-on software training (Maya, texturing, lighting)
- Placement guidance and studio exposure
We know this degree opens doors across film, gaming, architecture, and beyond. So if you’re serious, let’s dive in together, apply now and start making your world.
Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about a career in animation, resist the urge to skip ahead. Everyone wants to dive into moving characters straight away, but patience pays off. Master 3D modelling first. Build the foundations. Once you’ve got that, everything else, texturing, rigging, and animating, becomes easier.
This path isn’t just about learning software. It’s about learning to pay attention to the little things, being more resilient, and discovering your creative voice. And whether you take official classes or educate yourself with discipline, beginning with modelling will help you do well.
The fact is simple: no models, no animation. And every career in this world begins with that first cube you pull into shape.
FAQs
Q1: Do I have to be a good artist to model in 3D?
A. Not always. Artistic skills help, especially in proportions and design, but practice and observation matter more. Plenty of modellers come from technical backgrounds.
Q2: How long until I can get a job?
A. It varies. With full-time study and practice, many people are job-ready in 18–24 months. Some take longer, but dedication makes a big difference.
Q3: Which program should I begin with?
A. Blender is an excellent program for those who are just starting since it’s free and incredibly beneficial. It’s also a good idea to learn Maya and 3ds Max, which are used a lot in the business world.
