Often (and ideally), completing a design job can lead you to using entirely new tools and finding new ways to work and create. In fact, more so than just doodling around for the fun of it, the inspiration of getting a design brief from someone else can be the most motivating way to explore new tools and expand abilities.
In this example, I was given the brief of “a space rocket with eagle wings” for Interstellar's EP 'Isolation Trance Nation' and considering I was in iso myself at the time, I decided this was the perfect excuse to dive head first into a world that had always intrigued and fascinated me, but one that I had never dared to enter: the world of 3D modelling.
To do this, I decided to learn to use ‘Blender’ (a free open source 3D modelling software). Through some nifty video tutorials (including this popular introductory blender “donut” tutorial on YouTube) I ended up learning about all kinds of exciting things like poly-modelling, texture mapping, generating hair (or in this case, feathers), UV unwrapping and many other fantastical processes that are just the surface of the wonderful and slightly daunting rabbit hole that is 3D.
Needless to say, I’m now hooked on Blender, so I hope to be back here with more creations soon! Thank you to Interstellar/Hughie Hanily. And 'Isolation Trance Nation' is streaming now on Spotify, so go check it out!
Here is a bonus GIF of where I ended up after the donut tutorial.