Recreating the BMO Character

My recent project with the BMW Group + QUT Design Academy involved dedicating over 100 hours to creating a series of 3D models and rendering them. Before starting, I had a solid grasp of Fusion 360 and some familiarity with hard surface modelling in Maya. For this project, I decided to recreate BMO, a character from Adventure Time known for its simplicity in shape but complexity in detail. I wanted to capture not only BMO’s external form but also his intricate internal components, as shown in the series, while adding my own creative interpretations of his internal workings.

While I had some experience with Maya, Blender was entirely new to me. Although I found the workflow familiar, Blender’s navigation and interface were initially challenging. However, with practice and iteration, I quickly adapted to its workflow, and my proficiency and confidence grew. As I became more comfortable, I started finding ways to work more efficiently, allowing me to explore alternative modelling techniques.

One of Blender’s most appealing aspects is its accessibility and versatility. Being a free program, it has a vast community with unique approaches, which inspired me to keep exploring and learning. Maintaining clean topology and planning mesh density was a tough concept to grasp initially, but as I practised, I realised how crucial it was for a smoother workflow and cleaner models.

An area I only briefly explored was Blender's node system. Nodes are like advanced layers in Photoshop but offer extensive control over textures and parameters. I encountered numerous ways nodes could be creatively applied, which excited me for future projects and inspired ideas to enhance my modelling process.

Through this project, I developed a strong understanding of applying textures, lighting, and maintaining clean topology—each element contributing significantly to high-quality renders. Blender’s tools enabled me to achieve a polished look, and the experience taught me how to position textures, lighting, and geometry thoughtfully to create a professional outcome. The skills I gained have broadened my vision for my future career, and I’m incredibly grateful for the path this project has set me on.

Luca Wright
Academy WIL Intern, Semester 2 2024