Despite all the advancement in digital technologies, as you have probably noticed most design-related websites and magazines are still dominated by 2D images: from sketches to drawings and renders, bidimensional images are still crucial in the creative design stage – which is not a bad thing, as they are still the fastest way to visually communicate and explore new ideas.
Additionally, 3D modeling has been often associated with the creation of the final, high quality CAD models – the so-called Class A surfaces – that are used for final engineering and production. This is the task of CAD/CAS (Computer Aided Styling) specialists and it’s a very time-consuming process, guided by technical requirements rather than creativity.
All this can lead design students – as well as all those who are interested in becoming designers – to think that learning 3D is not strictly necessary. Instead, creative designers should approach 3D in a different way: as a tool that expands their creative possibilities, increases efficiency and improves the final quality of the products. In fact, there is plenty of reasons why knowing how to model and render in 3D is an important asset for any designer – and more than ever today. We have compiled a list of what we think are the main reasons why any designer should really consider learning 3D.
1 – 3D can teach how shapes work in the real world
When sketching or drawing in 2D, it’s not always easy to envision the final shape of an object in three dimensions – especially if the geometry is complex.
This means that there could be unexpected or unwanted results – like intersections or interferences between volumes – which can be very easily spotted and removed during the early concept stage just by creating a basic 3D model.
3D also allows for a much greater and detailed control on the design, as it’s possible to inspect the curvature of surfaces in real-time by evaluating the reflections in the different views.
2 – Expand the design vocabulary
Some type of shapes and design features are very difficult to conceive, represent and tweak in 2D. For this reason, knowing how to create 3D models gives designers the ability to increase their aesthetic vocabulary.
3 – Creates more realistic and detailed concepts for better design evaluation
The ability to model and render an object in a more realistic way gives designers an excellent way for evaluating the design before the construction of a prototype.
Physical models are still very important, but the industry trend is to limit their use to the minimum necessary, and try to concentrate most of the creative design process in the digital stage in order to save time and money.
Also, working with a 3D model allows to easily check if the actual dimensions are meeting engineering and ergonomics constraints.
4 – Allows new creative workflows
3D should be used by designers as just one of their tools: there shouldn’t be necessarily a distinction between 2D and 3D, especially in the concept stage.
On the opposite, one of the most interesting applications of 3D is its use in combination with 2D techniques: this allows to explore new creative workflows and increase quality and efficiency.
5 – Better communication with other members of the design team
While any good designer should be able to communicate his/her ideas through plain drawings and sketches, being able to deliver a 3D model certainly offers an added value.
6 – Different 3D modeling approaches available
There isn’t a single 3D modeling techniques: today a designer can choose among very different approaches: NURBS modeling, polygonal modeling, SubD modeling, parametric/algorithm/generative modeling, feature-based solid modeling, digital sculpting and also hybrid workflows that combine two or more of these types together.
7 – Wide range of 3D software available
As with the 3D modeling techniques, today there is also plenty of 3D applications available, with different 3D modeling approaches and a wide range of pricing options.
8 – Plenty of online resources for learning
Despite the complexity of the topic, today learning a 3D software is much easier than in the past given the wide availability of online tutorials, either free or paid.
Like for 2D, in 3D it’s important to have solid foundations, so beginners should use good-quality training material, that even if not free, are usually a very worthwhile investment in the middle and long term.
9 – Can open new career opportunities
Being able to work with 3D software has become an important skill, valued by design studios, so it’s a skill that increases the marketability of a designer.
The recently introduced 3D modeling approaches, like the polygonal/SubD modeling for concept design, the growing adoption of parametric tools like Grasshopper , and even the emerging VR-based tools and 3D printing technologies will make 3D skills even more relevant in the future.
10 – Can be extremely rewarding
Once the initial learning curve is overcome, being able to represent ideas and concepts in a very detailed and realistic way is very rewarding and can become even fun – when not addictive.
