Introduction
For my graduation exam at 3D College Denmark, I created a photorealistic architectural render of a modern minimalist bathroom entirely from scratch in Blender over three intensive days.
Starting from a very basic reference image, I designed every element myself—including layout, fixtures, materials, and details—to meet the requirements of four static camera shots and two animated sequences, using only natural Blender lighting and no AI tools.
Requirements
The exam specified four static camera angles capturing the full spatial design and details I developed, such as the frameless shower with glass blocks, wall-hung vanity, and integrated lighting. These showcase the room’s clean lines and material contrasts, with one angle emphasizing natural light flow.
Two animations followed: an orbiting camera to highlight the custom geometry and textures, and a fly-through from door to shower, both illuminated naturally for realistic depth.
Workflow
The school-provided concept sketch guided my modeling of every component in Blender—from the slate tiles and porcelain sink to the wooden accents and abstract art—transforming the blank reference into a cohesive design. HDRI environment maps provided all lighting via simulated daylight through the window, with Cycles rendering keyframed animations and denoising for professional polish, adhering strictly to no-AI rules.
Conclusion
The biggest hurdles were iterating the full design quickly while optimizing for natural light renders and animations in just three days. Achieving lifelike details like fabric folds and glass refractions without external help proved rewarding. The outcome—a serene, original bathroom visualization—earned an A grade, exceeding exam criteria and showcasing my concept-to-render skills.