Modeling, animation and 3D rendering. Introduction to Blender

3D modeling is widely used in contemporary communication and design. This continuing education course aims to familiarize you with Blender, a powerful and versatile software program that may seem intimidating at first. However, with experience, it becomes an incredibly creative tool. This course aims to introduce beginners to the fundamentals of Blender 4.1 (open source). This software is widely used in fields such as animated film, visual effects, art, video games, virtual reality, motion design and 3D printing, among others.
 
Through hands-on projects and step-by-step lessons, you'll learn to navigate Blender's interface, create your first 3D models, texture them, as well as produce static and animated images. By the end of this course, you'll have acquired the fundamental skills to start creating your own 3D projects.
 
The course adopts a hands-on approach to the use of 3D through a variety of examples, technical training, experimentation sessions, project realization and follow-up. The program is designed to be flexible, enabling students to progress at their own pace. By the end of the course, participants will not only have a good understanding of Blender and 3D modeling, but also a final project that can be used as a starting point for more complex creations.

Target audience
This course is primarily aimed at interested individuals and professionals working in sectors related to art and/or design, wishing to enhance their professional skills in the field of 3D imaging and its applications.
 
Targeted skills
This course focuses on discovering the world of 3D imaging, mastering modeling, texturing, lighting and camera set-up techniques, managing different rendering methods, and exporting static images as well as short animation sequences.
 
Prerequisites
No previous experience of 3D modeling is necessary. Participants must have basic skills in handling image processing programs and a computer compatible with Blender 4.1. (See system requirements on https://www.blender.org/download/requirements/)

Course duration: 12 half-days

Dates and times:

Friday, November 14, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Friday, November 21, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Friday, November 28, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Saturday, November 29, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Friday December 5, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm - online
Friday, December 12, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Friday, December 19, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm


Fee: 1700 CHF / Alumni HEAD – Genève 1400 CHF. Financial support: Residents of the canton of Geneva can benefit from financial support of up to 750 CHF through the Chèque Annuel de Formation (CAF) of the State of Geneva Click here 
Language: French
Course format: courses and workshops
Title issued : Attestation de formation continue
Credits: equivalent to 3 ECTS
Location: HEAD Campus, Batiment E, Av. de Châtelaine 5, 1203 Geneva

See detailed program
Teaching methods
This course adopts an approach underpinned by the concrete use of 3D through various examples, technical training, experimentation sessions, as well as project realization and follow-up. The program is designed to be flexible, enabling students to progress at their own pace. By the end of the course, participants will not only have a good understanding of Blender and 3D modeling, but also a final project that can be used as a starting point for more complex creations.
 
Session 1 Course program
Introduction to Blender and 3D Modeling
Introduction, examples of how to use 3D
Introduction to Blender 4.1 - Interface and navigation
3D modeling basics
Creating your first simple 3D model
 
Session 2 Advanced modeling and texturing
Advanced modeling techniques
Introduction to textures and materials
Applying textures to 3D models
 
Session 3 Lighting, cameras and rendering
Principles of lighting in Blender
Working with cameras
Introduction to rendering and post-production
 
Session 4 One-day online meeting
 
Session 5 Basic animation
Animation principles in Blender
Animating your first objects and cameras
Rendering an animated scene

Session 6 Conclusion and Final Project
Course summary and best practices
Final Project: Creation of a series of 4 static images and a short animation using the skills acquired during the course.

Teacher

Claudy Iannone
Claudy Iannone is a media designer, 2D - 3D computer graphics artist and teacher.
After specializing in the creation of 3D worlds and animations, he founded Imagine action studio. Constantly on the lookout for the latest moving image technologies, he developed new skills in motion design and macro-photography video filmmaking.
Claudy Iannone teaches 2D and 3D digital animation, motion design and all aspects of the moving image in the Visual Communication department at HEAD - Geneva, as well as 3D imaging in cross-disciplinary courses.
Driven by a thirst for innovation, he is constantly developing new themes in the fields of virtual images, 3D and macro-photography. Always on the lookout for the latest in digital technology, he focuses his research on virtual reality and, more specifically, on the creation of animated sequences based on it.

Information and registration
Contact : fc.head@hesge.ch 
Registration form
General terms and conditions