What Is 3D Design? And How to Get Started | Coursera

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This guide covers different types of 3D design, 3D design software, and project ideas to get you started personally or professionally.
3D design is the use of software to create a digital model of a three-dimensional shape or object.
The different types of 3D design include 3D printing, building information modeling, product design, VFX, virtual reality, generative design, and computer-aided design.
3D design jobs include 3D designer, video game designer, graphic designer, web developer, and 3D animator.
You can start your journey in 3D design by understanding your design goals, exploring 3D design paths, subscribing to relevant blogs and brands, networking with other 3D designers, taking online courses, completing personal projects, and building a portfolio of your work.
Discover what 3D design is, careers in this field, and how you can start one. If you’re ready to start learning 3D design skills, enroll in the University of London’s Virtual Reality Specialization. You’ll have the opportunity to gain experience with 3D modeling and assets, virtual and augmented reality, interaction design, and more in as little as two months. Upon completion, you’ll have earned a career certificate for your resume.
3D design refers to using software to create a digital model of a three-dimensional shape or object. Organizations and professionals across industries use 3D design to communicate ideas, create products and customer experiences, teach concepts, and more. For example, dentists can X-ray a damaged tooth and produce a 3D model of a crown to repair it, while the film industry uses 3D design to envision scenes and execute special effects.
In your research, you may come across the term 3D modeling. This concept is similar to 3D design in that both involve using software to envision three-dimensional objects. Definitions of these concepts may vary, depending on the brand, software, or company using 3D design or 3D modeling.
3D design involves the creation of a 3D object from scratch. It begins with a sketch or concept and includes the entirety of the process to completion. In contrast, 3D modeling is focused on building and fine-tuning the actual visual model of the object.
3D design skills are in demand, but whether it’s “good” or not will depend on your career goals. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job growth from 2024 to 2034 for special effects artists and animators is 2 percent, with the occupation expected to have 5,000 job openings each year [1]. A large share of future openings will come from replacing people who move into other fields or leave the workforce entirely, including those retiring.
The list below outlines a few different types of 3D design and how they differ from one another:
Additive manufacturing (3D printing) has grown in popularity recently. It refers to the method of using a computer to create a three-dimensional object, one layer of material at a time. Its use cases range from creating geometrically complicated parts in the aerospace industry to printing models of pop culture characters.
Building information modeling (BIM) enables architects, engineers, contractors, and other construction professionals to collaborate on designing a building in 3D. BIM designs can include information about parts, materials, financials, logistics, and actionable steps.
Product design refers to creating new products or enhancing existing products through 3D conceptualization, simulation, and design finalization before products are manufactured.
Visual effects (VFX) refers to altering, creating, or enhancing media for live-action imagery, especially when capturing live footage would be dangerous, costly, or impossible.
Virtual reality (VR) falls under the umbrella term extended reality (XR) and refers to creating immersive 3D experiences so that individuals, teams, and businesses can visualize concepts, collaborate, be entertained, and more.
Generative design refers to the process of finding multiple design options based on a concept. Designers or engineers input their design goals, requirements, parameters, and constraints into generative design software. Then, the software produces representations of different design outcomes for the designers and engineers to explore.
CAD/CAM refers to computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. Innovators, inventors, and machinists use CAD/CAM software to design and manufacture prototypes while expediting the process using automation.
Three-dimensional design offers many opportunities to explore your creative and professional potential. In this section, we’ve organized a list of project ideas and 3D design software that can be used to execute them.
3D room design refers to the use of software to produce three-dimensional representations of fully functional interior spaces, such as homes, offices, restaurants, and event spaces. 3D interior design considers a space's internal structure and dimensions. The goal is for furniture, lighting, decor, and other design elements to work together harmoniously. You can re-imagine your entire living space or a specific room using 3D home design software like Planner5D, HomeStyler, or RoomToDo.
3D landscape design refers to the use of software to create 3D representations of outdoor landscapes, including yards, gardens, parks, and professional exterior spaces. 3D landscape designers determine how plants, trees, shrubbery, furniture, walls, stones, walkways, and other elements will fit into an overall design. Try 3D landscape design with software like VizTerra, SketchUp, and VectorWorks.
3D molecular design refers to the use of software to create three-dimensional representations of chemical or biological systems, such as chemical compounds or DNA chains. 3D molecular designs can be used in classrooms to help students visualize scientific concepts. They can translate to physical objects that students can touch and hold, 3D graphics f