Nowadays, 3D modeling has become an essential part of creating media. What’s more interesting is that these forms of media are something people engage with on a daily basis. From television to online platforms to education, today, 3D models are used in different industries to bring ideas to life. Consequently, for creatives, 3D modeling has not just become a way to contribute to different industries but a way to look for viable career options.
Is 3D modeling a good career? 3D modeling is a good career because it requires skills that are increasingly needed in creating media today. With the growth of technology and the need for digital content, the future of this career path is both bright and assured.
Definitely, 3D modeling nowadays is all over the place. Take a look at the motion picture industry or the video game industry. You can see just how much it has become an important part of creating. This is why 3D modelers have a lot of options when it comes to the application of their skills. In this article, we will then talk about the ways in which 3D modelers make a living and what the pros and cons are in choosing this creative career.
Making a Living as a 3D Modeler
A Look Into the Work Life of a 3D Modeler
When you work as a 3D modeler, you’re basically just doing your job title — you’re building and designing 3D models. However, you don’t always have the freedom to do what you want. Your clients may have specific instructions for you to follow and you may not always work alone. If you work for a firm, you will have to collaborate with other artists who specialize in different areas of 3D modeling.
Today, there are also a lot of 3D modelers who do freelancing. So, instead of having constant tasks to work on, these 3D modelers have the additional task of looking for clients in between projects.
Either way, these 3D modelers are expected to be very adept in using technology as their work involves computer graphics software like Blender, Autodesk Maya, and other digital sculpting tools like ZBrush. Consequently, 3D modelers today play a big role not just in creative thinking but in providing solutions for a very fast-paced industry.
How 3D Modelers Apply Their Skills
Video Games
As you may already know, 3D modelers make the super-detailed avatars and characters you get to enjoy in your favorite video games. 3D modelers go through different processes like texturing and painting to make the game a much more immersive experience for the viewers.
With the variety of video games available today, you can easily see how they actually make up the majority of the output from the software publishing arm of 3D modeling.
Film and Animation
Another application of 3D modeling skills involves creating not just lifelike characters but a lifelike environment, a lifelike world even. Although some digital environments don’t resemble the surroundings we live in, it’s the power of 3D modeling that makes futuristic or old-world settings seem so real.
Definitely, with 3D modeling, moving images have come to mean so much more today through the worlds and the animated heroes we get to explore them with.
Product Design
A 3D modeler’s skill is also invaluable for manufacturing companies that develop their own products. With 3D modeling, innovation is much more accessible and more efficient at that. Prototypes are more easily built in a short amount of time by experts who know how to transform ideas into tangible models.
After product design, 3D modelers also play a role in marketing campaigns for these same products where they create models that clearly highlight the features of what the company is offering the market.
Engineering and Architecture
Other industries that make use of prototypes include the engineering and architecture sectors. This is because, in their line of work, engineers and architects are required to plan and layout buildings and structures. So, there are 3D modelers who actually specialize in this area. 3D modeling then makes developing projects a much more fulfilling experience for other professionals who want to plan with more accuracy.
Scientific Research
3D modelers are also highly valued in scientific research. This is because they make way for methods like 3D printing that allows scientists to use high-quality 3D versions of the data they constantly produce and study. With these accurate representations, scientists can explore so much more than they can just from their computer screens. Other fields in science like archaeology also make use of 3D modeling for digital reconstruction.
Others
Aside from the major applications mentioned above, there are actually a lot more fields where you can see the use of 3D modeling. For example, there’s 3D modeling in aerospace and automotive technologies, in forensic science, and even in real estate.
Ways to Make a Living as a 3D Modeler
Selling Work in an Online 3D Marketplace
Of course, when it comes to making a living as a 3D modeler, your work doesn’t stop at creation. Well, it might start from there but, the other side of earning is selling that work too. On that note, there are a lot of marketplaces online to choose from.
However, the most important thing you should know is that these marketplaces may be specialized. So for different needs like CG designs or architectural prototypes or product development, there is a market where you can best sell your outputs.
One example of a good place to sell your work online is TurboSquid. This online platform hosts a variety of stock 3D models that are sold to different clients. For example, there are graphics for game development, architecture, and even interactive training. Since this is a well-known site, your work gets more visibility.
So, even if it is not a specialized market, there is more than enough traffic to allow your work to get discovered by clients who need them. On top of that, TurboSquid is also known for having high royalty rates and a lot of payment options.
An example of a specialized market is CGTrader which is geared towards computer graphics used for AR and VR gaming. In this platform, you can expect a more solid customer base because the people who go to that site are people who really have a need for the kind of work you are offering. Thus, it may also be likely that, instead of buying pre-made designs, clients will hire you to create something specific to their business.
Freelancing
Having touched upon this topic in the previous section, a lot of 3D modelers are actually freelancers. The basic idea is that, rather than just putting work out there and waiting for customers to take them, you can work for different clients and companies.
While this may not be ideal for people who have specific strengths in 3D modeling, doing this can diversify your portfolio. With freelancing, you can also just opt for the kind of work you want to do. Today, one of the most common tasks for freelancers is creating 3d logos.
Starting a New and Unique Project
With the ever-changing world brought by technology, it becomes all the more important to bring something new to the table. Although this might not happen for the majority of 3D modelers, the lucky few who design a game or an app that’s fresh and innovative definitely have their bills covered for more than a few years. Thus, exploring the VR and AR field is now a worthwhile path for some 3D modelers.
Getting Employed and Paid as a 3D Modeler
Expectations When Freelancing
Starting Out
Recent data from Salary.com states that the average hourly wage for a 3D modeler in the United States is $25. However, when you look at actual platforms where freelancers are hired like PeoplePerHour, 3D generalists charge lower than this average hourly wage at around $15 to $20.
If you don’t know what a 3D generalist is yet, a 3D generalist is basically someone who can be given any task under 3D modeling. This is because these generalists have little to no experience. So, although they are knowledgeable in several areas they are not yet as good as experts who specialize in the specific fields. A common example of this is students who are just starting with their careers and are still honing their skills.
On the other hand, on the same site, you can see that individuals who specialize in areas like Computer-Aided Design (CAD) (i.e. SolidWorks, AutoCAD, OnShape, Fusion 360, and VR 360 Panoramas), Products Visualization, and Architectural Visualization charge around $23 to $31 per hour. Thus, you can see, that as expected, the more specialized your skills are, the more you will earn as a freelancer.
More Experienced
In freelancing, you also have to expect that, with the growth of interest in 3D modeling, there are a large number of people who will be your competition for projects. Thus, it is likely that the rate is driven down by the number of people willing to take on the project.
One freelancer even shares that to make $70,000 a year, you would have to charge about $75 per hour. This would mean that you would earn around $3,000 per week and spend have of your time looking for clients.
If you are not getting enough clients, a tip is actually to make your rate lower for those who will offer you a permalancer position. Essentially, you work for them for long-term or for most of the year, but you’re still just a freelancer who does not receive employee benefits.
However, you have to remember that charging higher than the average hourly rate can only be done by modelers whose skills also surpass those of average 3D modelers. So, if you have the track record and the ability to produce the promised high-quality output, you can expect the same figures mentioned above.
The Disney Dream
Of course, we can’t talk about modeling and animation without mentioning the prestigious dream job at Disney. According to Glassdoor.com, a 3D modeler at Disney actually earns $106,000 to $114,000 per year. But, as most of us know, not a lot of people get hired by Disney and earn this paycheck.
Luckily, for some fresh graduates, they don’t need to go work at other less known animation studios before getting hired by Disney. This is because, at Disney Animation, they also have a Trainee & Apprenticeship program which essentially serves as a training ground for recent graduates to sharpen their skills. However, it is likely that these candidates were previously Disney interns when they were in college.
Definitely, it is true what they say that it’s difficult to get into Disney. But, if you can create better reels that really showcase what you are capable of and network with recruiters and employees who may help you get the job, you have a chance to be one of the lucky few.
It’s also worth noting that there may be departments at Disney that are easier to get into because there is less competition for the positions. So, you might want to explore the different and less popular areas under the field of 3D modeling used for animation.
Pros and Cons of a 3d Modeling Career
The Pros
The 3D modeling industry is a highly-specialized one that is increasingly gaining demand. With the corresponding innovation in the computer and technology side of this industry, it is expected that 3D modeling will only grow stronger in the future. On top of it being a promising career path, the creative process that goes with a 3D modeling career will also make the work you do exciting.
3D modelers are exposed to different kinds of problem-solving. Therefore, with the kind of work they do, they are able to use their knowledge and their wide skill set for different kinds of applications. This is why it is said that 3D modeling is the career choice for people who like to stay active and who are interested in finding solutions.
Aside from thinking out of the box, the skills needed for 3D modeling also allows artists to work wherever they want. Because their work is valued, freelancers can work from home and have more control over how they want to spend their time.
Some freelancers even take this opportunity to travel while working. In line with how their work is valued, well-established self-employed modelers can earn well over six figures when they work for high-paying industries like film and animation.
The Cons
Now, for the cons. Firstly, 3D modeling is time-consuming. You have no exact work hours so you can end up working longer than you would have had you gone for a regular job at a firm.
Next, because you are constantly on your computer, you may spend most of your hours just sitting down and being idle. Thus, this may negatively affect your health. But, of course, you can avoid this by still making the effort to keep yourself in good shape.
Third, as you work in an industry that is highly influenced by technology, you have to always be updated with the latest advances in your field. Certainly, this is one way to ensure that your skill set remains relevant and that you are on par with other 3D modelers.
Competition is really high in this industry because of people’s growing interest in technology and most people’s exposure to such technology at such a young age.
Lastly, when freelancing, you also have to invest in good hardware and software which will not be provided for you. Definitely, these investments you equip yourself with could be the main selling point that will make clients choose you. So, one way or another, you have to spend to produce high-quality output.
Some Tips for Jumpstarting Your 3D Modeling Career
If at this point, you’re more than 50% sure that a 3D modeling career is for you, we have prepared some tips to get you started. Or, if you’re not yet sure, these tips might help you see that a career in 3D modeling is something you can achieve if you wanted to.
Applying for Internships
To become a skilled 3D modeler, it’s really helpful to have an understanding of industry concepts. This is because these concepts will guide you when you are communicating with your clients and when you are creating your models. Getting an internship will allow you to see what it’s actually like out there and what standard of outputs is expected from 3D modeling agencies that are already established.
More than this, internships will also allow you to network with professionals who might help you land your first job after university.
Creating a Strong Portfolio
A good portfolio will make clients see that you can handle a wide variety of designing needs. But, a strong portfolio shows them exactly what you are good at. With the growing competition for 3D modeling job positions, it becomes even more essential to show employers or clients that you can do something that others can’t.
In this day and age, you can easily put up a website that shows the latest works you’ve done through a demo reel. Make sure that this portfolio shows not just your work and your skills but the kind of person you are and the work ethic you follow.
Standing Out Among Competition
As mentioned above, there is increasing competition in this multimedia creation industry. Thus, in order to ensure that you can create works that will stand out, you have to have skills that the majority of other 3D modelers don’t.
One way you can do this is by taking advantage of university and specializing in the industries you are interested in. When you pair your skills in 3D modeling with this knowledge about the industry you’ll work for, you instantly become a stronger candidate who will most likely have great job opportunities.
Conclusion
To end, if there’s one more piece of advice you need to know about a 3D modeling career, it’s that experience is what matters the most in this industry. So, get out there, start with making projects for free until you build a good portfolio. Then, start charging, work for bigger clients, and earn that dream paycheck. Persevere in slowly working your way up because, although it might take some time to build, a career in 3D modeling will be one of the most fulfilling jobs you can ever have.