Model Maker

Model Maker Career

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A Model Maker creates 3D non-digital representations of finished products. You use clay, resin, wood and mortar, and most other studio art materials to create your models. Unlike a traditional artist, however, as a Model Maker, you are not be able to change your work if creativity strikes, as the end product is already decided. Think of this position, then, as an artist who doesn’t have to think up their own ideas.

Your models, be they miniature or life-sized, focus on exhibiting visual appeal— not on replicating structural integrity. For example if a zoo wants to build an elephant reserve, they send their plans and designs to a Model Maker who sculpts small versions of the buildings and geographic layout of the proposed space. The model then might be brought to investor meetings, or placed at the zoo’s front gate to ask for donations. However it will not be used to measure if the proposed fences are strong enough to stop an elephant’s escape attempt.

On the whole you translate finished blueprints into a beautiful model without tinkering with the structural details. For this you need the technical ability to read blueprints, but not the engineering background to judge them. You need the artistic ability to make physical objects resemble an outlined vision, but not the creativity to dream up the vision.

How do I become a Model Maker?

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Your artistic technique must be very sound as it is the visual end product, not the expression within that product, which matters. A fine art degree will help you refine your skills.