Take a Peek Inside the Delicious 3D World of Designer Milla Odor
Smooth lines, pastel colors, looping forms, shinny surfaces and soft serve textures are the signature dish on the menu for Budepest born, 3D artist and designer, Milla Odor, who now calls New York her home.
Milla’s fascination and love of art and design is found somewhere nestled comfortably between the joy of problem-solving, finding fulfilment in the creative process, and the warm and fuzzies that come from connecting with like-minded individuals through her unique artistic visions.
After having obtained a Bachelor's degree from the Art department of Budapest Metropolitan University and having worked for RTL, one of Hungry’s biggest TV stations, she joined Altagrand as a Junior Art Director. Her venture into the realm of 3D looking abstract illustrations came later, when in 2020 she became inspired by the @36daysoftype challenge, leading her to embrace Blender, and integrate newfound skills into her designs. Since then she hasn’t looked back, creating a visceral parallel universe, that can’t help but makes us want one of everything she’s having.
We chatted to Milla and found out the best design advice she’s received, how to navigate burnout, the impact of AI on the creative world, and the unmatched joys of mom’s home cooking…
What do you love most about your job?
As a Designer, I love the problem solving aspect and feeling happy with the outcome. As an Artist, I love that my random visions resonate with like-minded people. As a freelancer, I love the flexible hours.
What’s the hardest part about your job?
I had a burnout earlier this year and it was hard AF to come out of it. You can try some tricks, but my experience is you just gotta wait it out (while simultaneously working on yourself)… So I would say that! Life goes on and it’s extremely hard to be creative when your creative juices just aren’t flowing like they usually do.
How did you get into 3D/CG design?
In 2020 I started experimenting with 3D looking abstract illustrations. Then @36daysoftype (an annual challenge where artists share their take on the letters and numbers from the Latin alphabet) came along and I downloaded Blender. I watched a lot of tutorials and implemented what I learned in my designs. There’s something about creating every day. I experimented with knowing my limit and in times where it feels harder to create, I remind myself that I got this. To this day I learn something new with every project I work on.
C from 36daysoftype by Milla Odor
Take us through a day in your life as a designer (what is the process of completing a work like, what programs do you use etc)?
My mind is pretty hectic so I try to keep my files as organized as I can. This is also important, if someone needs to take over a project, you don’t want to give them a headache with a messy file.
No day is the same, and since I started freelancing I’ve been working on a variety of projects from 3D to branding, UX/UI & ASO.
My most used softwares are Blender, Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects. I’m always down to add another software in my toolbelt though to meet the industry standard, currently I'm working on getting my Cinema 4D skills up to speed.
What are some of your favorite creative accounts that you follow?
It was HARD to narrow it down but here are some of my favorite accounts in alphabetical order:
What’s the best creative feedback that you’ve ever received and what makes it stand out?
Probably “Don’t design what you can’t see” – I got this at my very first design internship. As a former perfectionist it was hard to wrap my head around the idea of leaving some parts unfinished. I have since learned that it saves you so much time to just take a shortcut sometimes.
What are your thoughts around AI and how it will impact the creative world? And have you started experimenting with it?
Absolutely! I now use chat GPT more than I use Google. I will say, it’s important to challenge yourself for your brain to stay spongey, but AI has been a tremendous help in my workflows as well as personal life.
I haven’t experimented much with creating visuals, I like to create my own moodboards and come up with something based on those.
As for its impact on the creative world – you can’t fight it, try to work with it and turn it into another tool you use. I’m not concerned with AI replacing creative jobs (for now), I think any brand that thinks of replacing their creative department has the wrong idea of what a brand is. Essentially, someone needs to be in charge of the commands so it’s either gonna be someone who might not know what they’re doing (=less engagement, unless it’s so bad it’s good) or someone who does.
What would your last meal be?
Anything my mom makes!
Coffee or tea?
If I’m home, Yorkshire tea in the morning with a shit ton of lemon in it! Love an afternoon coffee though here and there.
Morning or evening?
Evening 100% – I just feel more productive when there’s no pressure. I’m still not sure if you can turn into a morning person but if it was up to me, I think I’d switch to it (if I can also request feeling refreshed in the AM).
Berlin or New York?
That’s a tough one. I’ll say NYC because I live here now, but I can’t wait to come back to Berlin again and see everybody!
For more of Milla Odor’s work, follow her on: