Techniques to Create Scale Models
A course by Julieta La Valle, Sculptor, Filmmaker, and Art Director
Learn to craft a miniature universe, from the foundational structure to the final details
When you build a miniature model, you bring an entire world to life using nothing but a floor plan and your imagination. Whether you're putting together a set for a stop-motion animation or a representation of an architectural design, model making is an art that captures the ideas roaming around your mind and expresses them in a tangible way.
In this course, learn to build a miniature model of a simple interior space using basic tools and techniques with the help of Julieta La Valle, expert set designer specialized in creating scale models and miniature worlds for audiovisual productions, photography, and advertising.
What will you learn in this online course?
24 lessons & 34 downloads
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Julieta as she describes her professional background, from her first steps in the world of model design to her latest personal and professional projects. Discover some of her main influences, particularly from the world of film.
Next, Julieta gives you an overview of the basic tools and materials you need to complete the course, indicating which are essential and which ones are optional.
No discussion on miniature models would be complete without an exploration of scaling. Julieta delves into this key topic, explaining how she uses scales in her work and teaching you how to use an architect's ruler to transform real-life measurements into an accurate scale that you can apply.
Begin designing your final project by collecting references, from other artists' illustrations and your own drawings to photos of an interior space.
Use this inspiration to draw floor plans and different views of your model. Julieta walks you through the process every step of the way, presenting several examples of her own projects to guide you.
Then it's time to get to work. Build the foundational structure of your model using your floor plans as a reference, before laying down the wood flooring.
Learn about the different types of materials you can apply to your walls, including latex paint, wallpaper, and tiling. Add the final touches, creating enclosures, moldings, and windows.
Once the structure is ready, continue by assembling your furniture, starting with a dresser and an upholstered armchair, and then crafting hand-drawn paper plants and accessories such as lamps, books, and posters to apply the finishing touches.
Wrap up by photographing the space you've created, applying Julieta's lighting tips to capture the perfect photo with any kind of light you have at home.
- 99% positive reviews (376)
- 11,868 students
- 24 lessons (3h 36m)
- 34 additional resources (24 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Build a miniature model of a simple interior space.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone with lots of patience and a desire to learn.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is necessary. Experience using Adobe Illustrator or AutoCAD would be helpful, but you can also draw your floor plans and patterns by hand.
You need basic tools, various types of glue, and other model-making materials that Julieta specifies in the course.
Reviews
Julieta La Valle
A course by Julieta La Valle
Julieta La Valle was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1985. She studied set design at EMAD and cinematography at La Universidad del Cine, specializing in the creation of miniature models, characters, and objects for animation, film, advertising, fashion, and art projects. She eventually founded her own studio, where she gives free rein to her creativity amidst massive worktables, colorful bits of paper, and an endless variety of tools.
She regularly collaborates with advertising agencies, production companies, publishing houses, photographers, branding agencies, and graphic-design studios, carrying out projects for renowned brands like IKEA, Vodafone, and Nintendo, as well as big-name celebrities such as Fito Páez.
Content
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U1
Presentation
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Presentation
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Influences
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What are we going to do?
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U2
Design the project
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materials
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Scales
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Inspiration and references
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Blueprints
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U3
Space construction
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General Structure I
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General Structure II
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I floors
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Floors II
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Walls I
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Walls II
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Enclosures and moldings I
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Enclosures and moldings II
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U4
Furniture and accessories
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Furniture I
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Furniture II
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Furniture III
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Furniture IIII
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Plants
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Accessories I
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Accessories II
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U5
Assembling the model and photography
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Assemble space
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Photography
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FP
Final project
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Techniques for model building
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
This course is geared toward intermediate learners—perfect for those who already have basic model-making or modeling skills and want to refine their techniques, materials, and professional finishes.
You’ll need a craft knife, scale ruler, straightedges, adhesives, grey cardboard, foam PVC, wood veneers, paints, double-sided tape, and basic cutting and sanding tools. The course details options and alternatives depending on each project.
You’ll learn how to select and work with materials, precise cutting techniques, gluing, scaling, surface finishing, creating plans and sketches, and crafting architectural details and furniture at a professional scale.
The course covers cutting and assembling materials, using a scale ruler, scaled drawing, sanding techniques, making windows and floors, painting, wallpapering, aging effects, and producing scaled details and accessories.
The course teaches how to use a scale ruler to measure, reduce, and transfer real dimensions to the desired scale, ensuring precision in sketches, plans, and model parts construction.
Yes, the course demonstrates cutting, marking, and assembly techniques for grey cardboard, foam PVC, balsa wood, and veneers, adapting methods based on the material and desired finish.
Yes, you’ll learn how to choose and use double-sided tape, cyanoacrylate, and other adhesives, applying techniques for strong joints and clean finishes on various materials.
Un workshop très interessant techniquement et artistiquement. J’ai beaucoup appris et j’aimerais vraiment découvrir d’autres cours dans ce domaine. Bravo et merci!
Me encanta este curso es creativo y bien estructurado y contiene explicaciones sencillas y entendibles
I enjoyed this class, however I felt like as someone who only understands English, the subtitles or voice overs did not fully match what she was saying and sometimes it sounded a bit awkward.
INTERESANTE PARA CONOCER TECNICAS I MATERIALES
O curso é ótimo. Fiz para conseguir ajudar meu sobrinho nos trabalhos de escola e amei.