Andrew Price, also known as Blender Guru, has made significant waves in the Blender community and recently hit 3 million subscribers on YouTube. He shares his journey from Australia to the U.S., the inspiration behind his popular donut tutorial, and his experience with the NFT marketplace. Andrew discusses challenges in creating quality educational content for beginners, the importance of in-person networking in Los Angeles, and critiques on the complexities of geometry nodes in Blender. His insights into these topics offer valuable perspectives for aspiring 3D artists.
Andrew Price's journey with Blender began from a fascination with 3D art in video games, showcasing his dedication to mastering the platform.
His iconic 'Donut Tutorial' series has evolved over time to enhance learning for both beginners and advanced users, emphasizing the importance of educational adaptation.
Price's experience with NFTs highlighted the challenges of community-driven projects and the shifting perception of digital art's value in the market.
Deep dives
Andrew Price's Journey into 3D Art
Andrew Price's early fascination with 3D art began around the same time he discovered computer graphics, particularly through popular video games like 'Need for Speed' and multiplayer experiences in 'Counter-Strike.' He was drawn to the idea of creating his own 3D assets, leading him to search for free software, ultimately finding Blender. Despite his initial struggles with various 3D applications, Blender became his platform of choice, allowing him to realize his ambitions of modeling a red sports car, which took him four years to complete. This journey underscores the commitment and passion that propelled him into the world of 3D art and eventually established him as a significant figure in the Blender community.
The Evolution of Blender Tutorials
Price discusses the evolution of his iconic 'Donut Tutorial' series, which has been updated multiple times in conjunction with major Blender releases. Each version aims not only to address the technical enhancements in Blender but also to refine teaching methods based on viewer feedback. Despite initial concerns, the older versions of the tutorial continue to garner significant views, reflecting the timeless appeal and relevance of the content. This ongoing engagement emphasizes the challenges educators face in keeping learning materials current while ensuring they remain accessible to newcomers.
Shifting Focus from Assets to Education
In recent years, Price has realized that the needs of Blender learners differ significantly from those of advanced users seeking assets. Through his experiences, he discovered that beginners prioritize learning modeling skills over acquiring pre-made assets, as they are more interested in the process of creation. This insight has led him to contemplate developing comprehensive beginner courses that would focus more on foundational skills rather than merely providing asset subscriptions. By rediscovering this niche, he aims to fill the growing demand for educational content that empowers users to create from scratch.
The NFT Experiment and Its Lessons
Price reflects on his foray into NFTs, highlighting the challenges encountered when trying to launch a collaborative project featuring community-created donuts. Despite the innovative idea of creating digital art from user submissions, the project's timing coincided with the NFT market's downturn, severely limiting interest and success. Price notes that valuable lessons emerged from this experience, including the realization that community-driven initiatives could offer a unique value. However, the broader perception of NFTs as speculative has complicated their adoption in the artistic community, prompting Price to reassess their potential.
Future Aspirations and Growing Community Engagement
Looking ahead, Price expresses his desire to develop more structured educational content tailored for beginners, recognizing their vital role in the 3D community. He envisions creating detailed courses that cover essential modeling skills while fostering an engaging learning environment where individuals feel encouraged to pursue their artistic goals. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of utilizing feedback from the community, using insights from his user interviews to make his future courses more effective and appealing. Price's commitment to empowering new artists and adapting to their learning needs reflects his dedication to the growth of the Blender community.
Andrew Price, a.k.a. Blender Guru, has been a notable member of the Blender community for many years and recently passed 3 million subscribers on YouTube. Kent and Jonathan caught up with him at BCON LA and learned more about how he got started, the real reason he switched from creating Blender courses to building Poliigon, what eventually happened with the donut NFT, moving to America, and what's in store for him next.
