ID406
3D for Designers
Faculty
Brent Austin
Freelance Designer & Animator
Course length
Duration
Total hours
Credits
Language
Course type
Fee for single course
Fee for degree students
Skills you’ll learn
Overview
3D technology has been around since the 1970s, but it's only been in the last decade that it's become accessible to people other than the most technically oriented professionals. With the availability of low-cost and powerful 3D tools, the design industry has seen an emergence of 3D designers in various fields such as motion design, UI/UX, experiential design, and architecture, to name a few. Although already in high demand, more industries will be looking for designers proficient in 3D as new platforms emerge that are capable of handling 3D content.
Learning highlights
- Experiment with different rendering and animation techniques in 3D.
- Explore the application and function of design principles in 3D space.
- Examine past, current, and possible future trends in 3D design.
Course outline
15 classes
Session 1
Class introduction
Intro to 3D
Project 01 | Brief
Session 2
Intro to 3D - continued
Exercise 01 | 3D Navigation
Project 01 | Class time
Session 3
Modeling basics
Exercise 02 | Polygonal modeling
Project 01 | Class time
Session 4
Modeling basics - continued
Exercise 03 | Parametric modeling
Project 02 | Brief
Session 5
Shading/Lighting in 3D
Exercise 04 | 3-Point Lighting
Project 02 | Class time
Session 6
Materials/Shaders
Exercise 05 | Create/Assign Materials
Project 02 | Class time
Session 7
Intro to Animation - part 01
Exercise 06: Keyframe Basics
Project 02: Class time
Session 8
Intro to Animation - part 02
Exercise 07: Keyframe Tips/Tricks
Project 02: Class time
Session 9
Intro to Animation - part 03
Exercise 08: Expressive Animation
Project 03 | Brief
Session 10
Snow Summit (free)
Session 11
Snow Summit (free)
Session 12
Intro to Animation - part 04
Exercise 09: Animate Anything
Project 03 | Class time
Session 13
Professional Case Study
Project 02 | Class time
Session 14
Lighting and Rendering Recap
Project 03 | Class time
Session 15
History of 3D
Class Recap and Takeaways
Project 03 | Class time
Course materials
Books
Media
Prerequisites
Although not essential, I recommend students take the course “Applications of Motion Design” to help familiarise themselves with digital animation.
Methodology
Each class will generally be split between presentations, exercises, and project time.
Exercises will be demoed in class and students are expected to follow along.
There are three main projects:
Project 01: Geo-bots: Model a robot using basic 3D shapes.
Project 02: Abstract Still Life: Model and Render a Geometric Still Life.
Project 03: Transitional animation: Animate an abstract 3D composition.
Grading
Brent Austin is a 3D animator and motion designer who began his career working at Sarofsky in Chicago, Illinois. While there, he worked on title sequences for Marvel’s Doctor Strange, Captain America: Civil War, Antman, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. These projects provided an interesting blend of design and technical challenges, which honed his skills as a 3D-oriented designer.
After leaving Sarofsky, Brent transitioned to freelance, where he continues to help solve interesting design problems for clients such as Apple, Meta, Coinbase, and Meister.tv.
See full profileApply for this course
3D for Designers
by Brent Austin
Total hours
45 Hours
Dates
Jan 12 - Jan 30, 2026
Fee for single course
€1500
Fee for degree students
€750
How to secure your spot
Complete the form below to kickstart your application
Schedule your Harbour.Space interview
If successful, get ready to join us on campus
FAQ
Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate signed by the director of the program your course belonged to.
Do I need a visa?
This depends on your case. Please check with the Spanish or Thai consulate in your country of residence about visa requirements. We will do our part to provide you with the necessary documents, such as the Certificate of Enrollment.
Can I get a discount?
Yes. The easiest way to enroll in a course at a discounted price is to register for multiple courses. Registering for multiple courses will reduce the cost per individual course. Please ask the Admissions Office for more information about the other kinds of discounts we offer and what you can do to receive one.