I agree with the minimalistic approach.
Before AM, my only 3d experience was making maps to play in Unreal Tournament.
My lesson there was a flat cube when decaled properly can create the illusion of high detail yet rendertime it is only a cube.
I average 5 to 6 minutes in a month
Not Pixar quality, but I do my best and if there are flaws, I will correct that on next video.
Flaws happen, It is how we learn.
I am quite proud of my Library of flaws on YouTube LOL