INTRODUCTION
For
this project I have decided to take the layout and environment design
pathway. I want to continue developing my skills with both 2D and 3D
media. At the moment, my intentions for my career are fairly open. I
am happy to think that I could go down a few routes such as concept
art, modelling, game level design and matte painting. I hope that
through this project, as well as improving on the skills I already
have, I may find a particular type of work stands out from the rest.
This then means that in my third year I will be able to concentrate
on further improving my skill in that area and prepare myself for
finding a career in that field.
INTENTIONS
FOR THE PROJECT
What
I want by the end of this project is to have a demo reel that;
presents my skills in 2D drawing and digital painting, shows
potential employers that I can use imagination and inventiveness, and
includes polished examples of my 3D modelled environments. In last
term's project, I found there was not as much time spent on the
pre-production phase as I would have liked, so I want to really focus
on that more within this project. What I hope to do is produce a
small selection of environments, and showcase them from concept to
finished models. At this point, I haven't decided whether it's the
film, commercial or video game path that I want to go down. I hope to
research all of these options in this project, as I know that this
needs to be considered during production.
So to begin with, I want to compose a selection of concept drawings – in both traditional and digital media. I will brainstorm for ideas and then choose 3-5 settings to develop. In this stage of the project, I am hoping to really improve my drawing and digital painting skills. Before I get to modelling, I will also produce sketches of my environment from different camera angles to demonstrate an understanding of space and perspective. Then I will produce at least two in-depth layout illustrations that I can put in my show reel to demonstrate how I form an idea and then go on to create it. I would also like to experiment with using software such as After Effects to make my concept paintings into dynamic moving shots. I hope that by doing this I can improve on my digital painting skills and can start to build a portfolio of concept work.
The next stage will be to model one or two of these concepts. I'm going to research the requirements of film/video game layouts, and then apply what I learn to the models I will construct. Ideally I would like to create an exterior and an interior environment, as I'm hoping to learn the important factors that are necessary for each one. Both layouts will include props and lighting, based on my concept illustrations. When it comes to the show reel, I hope to create something of a “virtual tour” to display my environments.
CAREER
INTENTIONS AND RESEARCH
As
I previously stated, I'm not entirely fixed on one specific career
pathway. At present I feel like I still need to get a feel for
certain types of work – most of all layout design. What is most
important to me is reaching a standard of work that will give me the
confidence to apply for work in the industry. I like the prospect of
becoming a concept artist, however I believe that it's an incredibly
competitive pathway, and that I would probably need a few years to
get my skills up to industry standard. My realistic point of view
edges more towards 3D modelling, as I became more confident with the
Maya software last term. With this project, I'm hoping that further
building of my modelling skills will make that confidence greater and
provide me with enough skill (and a show reel) to start applying for
jobs in the 3D modelling and environment design field after
university.
This is why I want to work on both the 2D drawing side, and 3D modelling side for this module. I find enjoyment in 2D drawing and digital painting, it's something I've been working on for many years. I now want a chance to vastly improve on the skills I have so that in the future I can continue using them in my ideal career. Then by working on my 3D modelling skills, I can give myself the freedom to use this software with ease, and hopefully set myself up for a greater scope of career opportunities after university. I enjoy both these aspects of production because I like the aspect of creation and imagination. I have good memories of playing video games since childhood, and I think of the reasons why is because of the way you become immersed in the world of that game. There is a part of me that wants to be the reason that the next generation can experience that same feeling, I aspire to be a name in that industry. However I have a similar feeling with the animated film industry, I have this desire to see my name in the credits on the big screen. This is why I'd like to concentrate my pipeline research on both these industries so that I can learn about the differences between them and which one may be the best for me.
