Course Reflection

Start of course

Work Iv'e done so far (The good and bad)

Concept art

What I learned

I learned how to develop an idea, using means of inspiration boards, mind-maps, initial sketches, silhouettes and thumbnails. I enjoyed learning these skills because I can use this now known knowledge to further develop an idea in a professional industry standard.

I learned about Silhouettes and thumbnails, which I find a super useful when coming up with a concept for either a character, vehicle, prop and environment. I found out that professionals use this technique and for that reason I am glad I had the time to grasp this skill.

I learned how to make my own custom brushes, using Photoshop, to help perfect the overall design of my concept piece. My tutor Tony taught me how to make a brush out of a simple image of a cloud. I think this is great for painting skies and giving an environment a smoke or foggy effect. He also showed me how to make a brush out of a simple squiggle. I now use this technique in producing my own concept pieces.

Sequential imaging

I found this module very helpful in enhancing my knowledge of storyboards. I learned a new technique which I have been using to get more accurate drawings of shape and detail.

This technique consists of importing an image into Photoshop, decreasing it's opacity just enough  and using a new layer to sketch over the top getting the overall shape and values.

Digital Skills - Prop Design

At the start of this module I was ecstatic because I was finally going to learn the fundamentals of 3D modelling. In this module we were learning how to make a three dimensional prop for a game. With me able to come up with a cool idea,  most of the time, I decided instead of making your common weapon I would take a different approach. Inspired by the Diamond pickaxe from Minecraft that and a sci-fi pick which looked like it came from the game Borderlands. The only complaints I have to say about the project is was not having enough time to finish off my pick and give it a more realistic look and trying to decipher how to unwrap a 3D model. However I now know how to do so and for that I'm a pleased because that was one skill I wanted to learn.

Practice enrichment

This projects had it's ups and downs. From the start I loved learning how to do a 25 frame animation, I admit I went over the limit but It gave my animation life, probably because I watch a lot of animated cartoons and movies. I enjoyed this part of the module because it helped me come up with my own characters inspired by Transformers and beast Wars. I learned how to come up with a frame by frame animation. I believe I would have struggled without the use of my surface pro 3, however I could probably use a tablet in it's place.

I learned how to use a new software, and in my own opinion I I didn't like very well I feel like if I had more knowledge of the program I would like it and use it more but for now I'll stick with Cinema4D and 3Ds Max.

The module was all about coming up with a 3D model of a character

I liked this module because it helped me to come up with my Converterz (C) Adam Chapman 2014

From the start It was a little daunting.

Contextual studies

This has got to be by far my most stressful module, I have had experience writing essays before, however, by the time I started this I forgot how to do essays. I did not like this and although it is an academic project I felt like I didn't get anything out of it other than the stress. Unlike other topics where I greatly benefited.

Animation for games

From the start I had a set idea which in my case is a bad thing however I was glad I stuck with that one idea. I learned how to use reference images to capture motion. I also found out the many different techniques in an animation and came up with a pretty cool character, I guess you could say it was a persona of myself.

Work based learning

From the start I thought of coming up with a humanoid alien cat like girl but throughout development I changed her to be more anthropomorphic.

Personal professional development

Things I loved doing

Concept art, 3D modelling, Animation, Character Design, Environmental design, prop design.

I Enjoyed the Concept art, storyboarding and 3D modelling module because I feel I learned something new each day.

Thing I didn't like doing

Having a limited amount of time to finish each idea.

Having days where I had creative block and or sickness.

What I have learned

What I will do next / in the future

My plan is to continue college until I have a vast amount of knowledge. In the future I might work for some game companies doing either concept art for characters, prop design or 3D modelling and rigging. My big goal is to come up with a trustworthy team and make games as my own games company starting out small but ambitious!

What companies I could work for.

Ubisoft, Rockstar games, Square Enix, etc. I chose Ubisoft because they are the creators of Rayman I like the art style and animation styles. As for Rockstar games They created the GTA series, which I like because they combined both exploration, shooting and driving into one game. I would work for Square Enix because they do beyond realistic games.

Working for all of these companies will help me incorporate each of their styles and overall techniques to build my perfect game or games.

Strengths and Weaknesses.
During my time at collage my course has helped me gain many strengths but a few weakness

Strengths

• Coming up with a clear idea
• Using the fundamentals to start a project
• Storyboarding
• Complementary Colours
• Visualising what I want from my project
• Animation
• Concept art
• 3D Modelling
• Software package skills

Stuff that's holding me back / Things I need to improve on

• Timing - deadlines
• Establishing lighting directions
• Mud box overall program techniques
• self belief
• Not taking any breaks
• Perfectionist