3D Hair Clip

When I think about Make it Wearable, I think about what I would like to wear. I always carry a hairclip around to put my hair up, so I decided to challenge myself to create a hair clip in 3D using Autodesk Maya. Since I am a 3D animation student, I thought creating this medium in Autodesk Maya versus a physical clip would be best for my skill set. This project pushed me out of my comfort zone, as I had never modeled an object with intricate details before. I was excited to start this project, so let me show you my process.

I used Autodesk Maya for the modeling process and Adobe Substance Painter to add detailed textures. These tools complemented each other, enabling me to achieve a polished and realistic result.

I began modeling in Autodesk Maya by breaking down the modeling process into more manageable steps. I started with basic shapes, blocking out the structure of the clip. This stage was all about simplifying a clip into its most essential components, which laid a strong foundation for the more intricate work that i will add later on.

Once the basic structure of the clip was complete, I began adding details. This stage took the most time. I added more layers of details until I was happy with how my clip turned out. Although this was the most time-consuming stage, I found this step to be the most rewarding. I loved seeing this hair clip come to life.

One of the exciting parts of this project was the opportunity to learn new skills. For example, I wanted the hair clip to have a twisted wire detail that I had never modeled before. To tackle this, I turned to YouTube tutorials to get help. Ultimately, I found a tutorial on creating a twisted torus, which taught me a technique I've never learned before. Autodesk Maya’s vast library of online tutorials makes it easier for me to expand my skill set.

With the modeling of the clip complete, I moved on to UV mapping and texturing to bring my hair clip to life. I used Adobe Substance Painter to texture my clip. After experimenting with different color palettes, I ended up with this more pastel color vibe for my clip.

After completing the texturing process, my hair clip is now complete! Yay! I created a turntable animation to showcase the finished 3D model from all angles. This project not only allowed me to create a "wearable" piece of art but also pushed me to grow as a 3D artist.

Thank you for following along with my process in creating a hairclip!