• Sep 17, 2024

How Adrian Decided to Quit Everything and Learn Blender

  • Patata School

Adrian Balastegui, a freelance illustrator from Barcelona, made a bold decision to step away from his established career in illustration and dive into the world of 3D design. In this interview, we explore his motivations, the challenges he faced, and how Patata School became a key player in his transformation.

Adrian's decision had been brewing for some time: “After thinking about it for a while, I decided to take a step back from illustration and start from scratch with 3D. I’ve never really felt like I fully adapted to the illustration market, or maybe my style didn’t align with what companies and agencies were looking for,” he reflected. “I felt like trying something new, and 3D really motivated me.”

Adrian's willingness to pivot to a completely different creative medium came from a place of self-discovery and the desire for something fresh. Despite his success in illustration, he felt the need to explore new possibilities, leading him to Blender—a powerful tool for 3D design.

When we asked Adrian about his current situation, he shared that he's still based in Barcelona, where he continues to work as a freelance illustrator. However, his focus is now shifting toward 3D projects, especially after discovering Patata School, which he credits as a major source of inspiration.

"I had known about Cabeza Patata, but I hadn’t heard of Patata School until a friend—a well-known figure in the 3D world—recommended it to me. He knew I wanted to get into 3D and specifically work with Blender. Patata School had a lot of introductory courses, which were perfect for someone like me who was just getting started." Adrian emphasized that it was his friend's encouragement, combined with the structured learning offered by the school, that finally gave him the push he needed to commit to learning 3D design.

When discussing how Patata School contributed to his personal and professional development, Adrian highlighted the importance of structure in his early learning stages. “What helped me the most was simply getting started. When you begin something new, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of content available online, and you often end up jumping from one tutorial to another. At Patata School, I found many well-structured introductory courses, which were perfect for getting familiar with Blender and understanding how it works.”

Adrian’s dedication and focus paid off. One of the projects he’s most proud of is an animation of one of his characters, a project he never thought he could complete so quickly. "In just three months, I was able to sculpt, add UVs, and even do basic rigging. This project definitely boosted my motivation with 3D," he said, reflecting on his rapid growth within the short span of time.

Looking ahead, Adrian has clear goals for his future. When asked about his aspirations, he shared his ambition to work as a freelance 3D designer within the next year. "I still have a lot to learn, but I believe setting a medium-term goal helps keep me focused on achieving it. I’d like to specialize in character design, although I’m also discovering that I enjoy product modeling and design." His openness to different paths within 3D demonstrates his curiosity and love for the flexibility this field offers. “I’m keeping my options open; I think you can do a bit of everything, and that’s what I love about 3D—it’s such a broad field.”

When we inquired about how he envisions Patata School playing a role in his continued growth, Adrian expressed his appreciation for the school's impact on his learning process. “Patata School can continue to inspire me and teach me new things I hadn’t thought about before or that I could incorporate into my workflow,” he concluded.


Adrian’s journey is one of reinvention, curiosity, and passion. With the help of Patata School and his determination, he’s embarking on a new chapter in his creative career, and it’s clear that his story in 3D design is just beginning.

You can follow Adrian's work on Instagram or his Website.