Thomas Gaynor Unit 69 Concept Art for Computer Games

Friday, 1 April 2016

HA5 Task 5 - Evaluation

my strongest point in HA5 is the written work in my opinion since my art isn't the greatest. Overall i think i learned a few things but the most important thing i learned is how important it is to follow the specification which is quite hard to follow at all times while keeping to your own style.

On Task 1 i had to provide visual research into a chosen character and then had to write why i used that inspiration and what it helped. The setting i chose was 1970s-styled Spacecraft with the character i Chose was Daisy Isidore and just from this i know that it is about a female character based in a sci fi setting.

On Task 2 i had to create multiple concepts for my final illustration which included the setting, the character and the equipment she has on the game which also can lead to the mechanics of the game. My art on this was quite rushed so i don't think it show the most of my abilities.

Next i did task 3 and aimed to create a final illustration which put all of my final pieces, including setting, character and equipment from task 2 together. With this task i aimed to provide better artwork than i did for task 2, which i did, but i still don't think the work i did was the best i could of achieved. i still didn't add any colour at this stage because it was the approval stage

Finally i got onto task 4 which was quite simple, all this required of me was to sign a checklist which was found on Moodle, the checklist was on legal and ethical implications my work could have

once i had finished i looked back at my work and figured out two things, one being how important it is to follow the specifications you are given and another which i have yet to fully grasp which is how long i should spend on each task and how to spread my work out but i think i finally have the right mind to do this after struggling with time on this assignment. also in the future i will give myself enough time to produce far superior work that what was done on this task and spend more of my own time outside of college completing work as well as creating new skills for myself in the future.

Thursday, 31 March 2016

HA5 Assignment Brief

Assignment brief

Qualification

90 Credit Diploma in Creative Media Production - Games Design

Unit number and title

Unit 69 – Drawing Concept Art for Computer Games - partial

Assessor name

Harry Arnold

Date issued

10/03/2016

Hand in deadline

22/04/2016

Assignment title

HA5 Character Design Pack

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate that the learner is:

• Able to draw anatomy, environment and object concept art for computer games.

• Able to present concept artwork for computer games.

Scenario

Manchester-based games developer, White Paper Games is looking to recruit a team of concept artists to work on the exploration phase of a new game concept following the success of their 2014 game Ether One.

The third stage of the process involves you following a brief set by the studio, which will test your ability to develop exploratory concept artwork for a character, their environment and equipment.

Task 1 – Reference Research

Choose one of the following characters and settings. Carry out visual and written research into the three elements you will have to visualise a concept for, the setting, character and equipment.

Setting 01 – Medieval Castle Dungeon

Set in a prison beneath a castle during the medieval period. The setting is dingy, damp, dirty, dark and oppressive. There is evidence of torture and interrogation.

Character 01 – Jonathyn Bearswick

He is a charming medieval maverick, cast away into the dreaded prison beneath the castle. Jonathyn has spent almost his whole life as a thief and con man travelling the world by sea. He is a bearded action hero typical of classic adventure stories, imprisoned for his crimes. Tall and trim, he stands out because of the bright colours featured in his clothing.

Equipment 01 -

Sword and belt, pistol and playing cards.

Starting Point References 01 -

Errol Flynn, swashbuckling adventure movies. Lord of the Rings, Robin Hood.

Setting 02 – 1970s-styled Spacecraft

Set in the distant future, but designed like a 1970s vision of the future, featuring over-the-top, dated futuristic technology. It is clear that something has caused the crew to leave suddenly. The situation mirrors that found on the Mary Celeste when boarded.

Character 02 – Daisy Isidore

She is a young, wide-eyed and ambitious astronaut scientist with dreams of travelling the stars, all up until it goes horribly wrong. Daisy is tall, strong, with short dark-hair and wears glasses. She is highly professional and resourceful at all times.

Equipment 02 -

Hand-held weapon and carrier, communication device and scientific toolkit.

Starting Point References 02 -

Space 1999, Blake’s 7, Logan’s Run, Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century.

Setting 03 – 1940s Hospital

Set in a 1940s era American hospital. US soldiers returning from Japan have brought back a mysterious, but deadly virus which has pushed the health system to breaking point. An investigation ensues.

Character 03 – Mitchell ‘Mitch’ Deforest

He is a typical chain-smoking private investigator working in Los Angeles until the disease hits. Mitch has a rather scruffy and unhealthy appearance. Aloof and laconic, medium-build and height, dark hair, blue eyes, suit-wearing with five o’clock shadow.

Equipment 03 -

Revolver and holster, cigarettes and Zippo lighter.

Starting Point References 03 -

Raymond Chandler (Philip Marlow), Chinatown (Jack Nicholson), LA Confidential, LA Noire.

Remember that the visual research that you carry out here will assist you in the creation of your illustrations. The more reference material you have, the easier it will be to visualise your concept. Publish all of the information to your blog, citing all sources.

You are aiming to draw anatomy, environment and object concept artwork for computer games to near-professional standards, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence Unit 69 – P3, M3, D3

Task 2 – Development Studies

Reflect on your drawing portfolio created for the HA3 – Drawing Portfolio assignment. Try to identify the media and techniques that were most successful for you.

Produce a wide range of exploratory sketches/drawings from your research for your chosen setting, character and equipment. Your focus should be speed and a quick turn-around/development of ideas.

At this stage you are developing how your concept will look and so you should aim to present a range of options. The style is your choice. The work may be made on different sized paper, using a range of media and techniques. Ensure that you have included all aspects of your workflow or design process from start to finish within a production log inside this post. You will need to update this at least once per week (ideally after each session) and include explanatory notes and illustrations.

This provides evidence Unit 69 – P3, M3, D3

Task 3 – Final Illustration Presentation

From your exploratory drawings, produce a final drawn concept for the setting, character and equipment. The media and techniques used are your choice. Digitise your work and combine your finished illustrations into a poster montage ready for submission to the client. Ensure that it is labelled carefully.

You are aiming to lay out concept artwork for computer games to near-professional standards working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence Unit 69 – P4, M4, D4

Task 4 – Sign-off

Check your work carefully, complete and sign the legal and ethical checklist. Publish your artwork and gain feedback.

You are aiming to lay out concept artwork for computer games to near-professional standards working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence Unit 69 – P4, M4, D4

Task 5 – Evaluation

Write an evaluation of your project. Use your production log and blog posts to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your design process and management techniques. Try to establish whether or not your finished product has achieved the aim of the project. Take into consideration anything said by reviewers.

You are aiming to compare your outcome with original intentions and guidance to near-professional standards working independently to professional expectations..

This provides evidence Unit 69 – P4, M4, D4

Evidence checklist

Tick

Annotated visual and written information published to blog.

Annotated production log published to blog.

Presentation artwork published to blog.

Legal and ethical checklist.

Evaluation published to blog.

Sources of information/references

Unit 69 Moodle Course: http://moodle.salfordcc.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=430#section-3

Friday, 4 March 2016

HA5 Task 4 - Sign Off

HA5 Task 3 - Final Illustration Presentation

My final illustration included multiple things that i took from my previous drawings such as feminine face behind the mask which also doubles as a communication device. The suit is a futuristic space suit that allows her to stay in space for large periods of time and she also has a holster on her side with the gun that i designed in her hand. i then placed her up upon the spaceship that i designed with stars in all the space around it.

I tried to follow the specification as much as possible and gave it aspace theme like it needed, i tried to make it into a 1970s view on a space theme while putting my own spin on it by making it darker and more like the spaceships from star wars, i may not be a fan of the series but i really like the art work and designs from star wars. i went astray from the specification

I could improve the drawing if i put more detail into and make the body look more anatomically correct since i don't have enough experience drawing bodies and how they connect with a suit that hides the body since you can see the joints any longer.

There is a few things that are obscure in the drawing, one of them is the gender since all you can see is a part of her face so its hard to tell that she is a female but i did that on purpose because i thought that i could parody the Metroid series which hide the fact that Samus the main character is a female or i was thinking that the game could refer to Daisy as a female through out the game and it turns out to be a transgender woman. also the fact that she is standing on a spaceship in space is quite obscure because i couldn't think of a way to draw it into the picture while making it obvious.

Afterwards i drew all the individual pieces separately in more detail

This was a more detailed version of Daisy in her space suit

This is the cock pit of the space craft that daisy is a part of.

This a laser that is similar to one you would see in a old futuristic show about space

The watch that she wears doubles as a communication device and a set of tools

Task 3 – Final Illustration Presentation

You are aiming to lay out concept artwork for computer games to near-professional standards working independently to professional expectations.

This provides evidence Unit 69 – P4, M4, D4

HA5 Task 2 - Development Studies

What art style i prefer
The kind of art style i prefer is a manga style drawing since i am a huge fan of anime and manga, some of my favorites are the classics such as Dragon ball Z, One piece or other smaller series such as UQ Holder, Bungou Stray Dogs or The Seven Deadly Sins. i have read over 60 manga and have watched 315 anime which has given me a great respect for artists such as Akira Toriyama, Eiichiro Oda, Ken Akamatsu as well as many other Mangakas.

What i'm best at
I'm not the most skilled at manga style art or even at faces so i chose to hide the face and by using a shaded helmet and only showing a slight bit of the face

The first sketch i did was of what a spaceship would look like some of them was made to look like what a normal spaceship looks like, other designs was made to look like what a spaceship was predicted to look like in the future e.g. in star wars or star trek

next i did a bunch of quick sketches of what would be futuristic skyscrapers that i was planning to have it based in but i went with spaceship

i tried to create what my character would look like but decided that i wouldn't be able to get what i wanted by drawing a female face so i instead decided to do something else

what i decided on was creating a space suit for Daisy instead of actually showing off what she looked like since i thought it would be for the best and would give me more freedom to draw what i want

Next i decided to make a bunch of rough sketches of what i wanted the gun to look like, the first one i did was based off of a stereotypical futuristic laser gun, another was a small design that i saw off the internet and reminded me of a gun from a show that i watched. i decided to make one not a gun but a extension of the suit which shot from the arm and another which was far more powerful

i chose a couple of very different things for the communication device, before i decided on the suit i thought that her glasses could of had the communication device in them, this idea came from my spy glasses i had when i was when i was a kid, another was based off of the scouter from dragon ball z since on that anime it doubled as a tool to find enemies and communicate and finally i decided on putting the device inside the helmet since you wouldn't see her face anyway.

Lastly i had to create the futuristic tool like item and for this it varied quiote a lot going from a multipurpose wristwatch to being placed upon the suits shoulder functionig as a light aswell as other things and lastly i created a deign based off of the tool from doctor who.,

Task 2 – Development Studies

Reflect on your drawing portfolio created for the HA3 – Drawing Portfolio assignment. Try to identify the media and techniques that were most successful for you.

This provides evidence Unit 69 – P3, M3, D3

HA5 Task 1 - Reference Research

Setting - 1970-styled Spacecraft
spaceship - inspiration futurama - mary celeste

i chose to make quite a bit of my game take place on a spaceship and when i think of a old vision of the future i think of Futurama since it exaggerates everything and goes for a world of tomorrow theme. This is the planet express crew which is the main spaceship for protagonists of Futurama, it seems plain but gets the point across

These are realistic versions of what futurama looks like if it was real i thought they were very well done and could help give me inspiration

this is bender a character friom futurama, i considered using robots like him as enemies of just extras in the background

these atre apcestations from star wars, although i was going to makie my game take place on a spaceship i thought that i could also create a additional spacestation

Character - Daisy Isidore
tall
strong
glasses

this is a character from the anime haikyuu, when i think of characters that follow the specifics of Daisy the first character that comes to mind is her since that's what i expect her to look like

next i looked up what a space suit would look like and chose two so that i had everything i needed to create my own

finally i chose to find a girl in real life that followed the specifics of daisy and what i would expect her to look like

Equipment
hand held weapon/ carrier -

next i chose multiple futuristic guns that look like they would come from a sci fi game so i didn't make pick one that looked too similar to what a actual gun looks like so i mostly went for laser guns.

communication device

for the communication device i thought that it could just be put into the helmet but the other idea i had was to design something similar to the scouters from dragon ball z since i have been watching that as of late so i have a good idea of what they do, how they do it and i just like the design.

scientific toolkit

the first thing i thought of when i thought of a very futuristic tool i thought of the scientific screwdriver from doctor who

another idea i had was a wrist watch that has some abnormal abilities that stay within the laws of whats real but then again it could do something more abnormal since i got this idea from 007 goldeneye

Links
Setting
http://net.archbold.k12.oh.us/ahs/web_class/Spring_13/Futurama_Miller/FuturamaSpaceShip.html
http://www.dailydot.com/geek/futurama-3d-alexey-zakharov/
http://www.gizmodo.in/wtf/Futurama-in-3D-is-absolutely-stunning/articleshow/38454348.cms
http://orig07.deviantart.net/d2bb/f/2015/158/0/8/futurama___bender_by_seancantrell-d5l0u2d.png
https://prezi.com/fhrjpxvzot7a/technology-in-space/
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Valor_(space_station)/Legends

Character
http://haikyuu.wikia.com/wiki/Kiyoko_Shimizu
http://haikyuu.wikia.com/wiki/File:Kiyoko_Shimizu_Cover.png
http://slodive.com/inspiration/cute-girl-hairstyles/
http://pics-about-space.com/astronaut-future-armor?p=1
http://pics-about-space.com/future-astronaut-space-suit?p=1

Equipment
https://www.reddit.com/r/dbz/comments/3nywj6/i_3d_modeled_a_scouter/?
http://dragonball.wikia.com/wiki/File:Scouter.png
http://toys.lovetoknow.com/Toy_Laser_Gun
http://box1515.deviantart.com/art/Laser-Gun-Wallpaper-273407587
http://meckanicalmind.deviantart.com/art/Laser-Pistol-361176065
http://cosmicthunder.deviantart.com/art/Sonic-Screwdrivers-252470395
http://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/goldeneye-007-watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etRxv1Lvf1E

Choose one of the following characters and settings. Carry out visual and written research into the three elements you will have to visualise a concept for, the setting, character and equipment

Setting 02 – 1970s-styled Spacecraft

Character 02 – Daisy Isidore

Equipment 02 -

Hand-held weapon and carrier, communication device and scientific toolkit.

Starting Point References 02 -

Space 1999, Blake’s 7, Logan’s Run, Buck Rogers in the 25^th Century.

This provides evidence Unit 69 – P3, M3, D3

HA4 Task 1 - The Purpose of Concept Art

Exploration

The purpose of art exploration is the very first stage of concept art. simply exploration means to study and search so that you can find what you want. At this stage of concept art is all about creating quick yet simple designs for whatever you are making which will be on the brief that you are given. the scenario that you will be given will be on the brief and you'll have to choose a design that will fit the the scenario and your own likes. its important to remember that you need quantity rather than quality since you will improve them later.

Anatomical art (character)

One Punch Man

The manga for one punch man was originally drawn by a man called ONE and since his art skills was not very good and in my opinion was just like the exploration phase of the actual product

Fire Emblem Awakening

This is the Lyndis sketches from Fire Emblem Awakening

Persona 4

These are the original sketches for the character Naoto who was originally male

Object art

Bleach

In the Manga Bleach the design of the heroine Rukia Kuchiki was originally meant to wield a scythe and was drawn to but after later on in the exploration phase was changed.

Environment art

Pokemon

The regions in the pokemon games are all based off of actual places.

Approval

Approval is For a piece of art to get to the approval stage it needs to get green lit from the publisher that the artist got the brief from. The artist would now have to develop the design before once again giving it to the developer. this stage is far more crucial that the designs in exploration because if no one likes it then all the work that has going into the game will all be for naught. during the development the only ones that are allowed to see these are the producers or others they are working with and usually wont be shown to the public unless they are released with a limited edition version.

Anatomical art (character)

One Punch Man

these are the redone sketches for the manga one punch man done by Yusuke Murata who teamed up with One

Fire Emblem Awakening

this is the concept art from Lyndis at the approval stage

Persona 4

this is the concept art from Naoto at the approval stage

Object art

Bleach

This is the approved sketches for rukia weapon which later became a recualr Katana with ice like robes

Fire Emblem Awakening

This the approval stage for the legendary sword and shield from Fire Emblem Awakening

Environment art

Pokemon

This is the artwork that is found in the trailer Pokemon Sun and Moon that will come out in Summer 2016

Promotion

Promotion is the final stage of concept art and very important. Promotion is what the name says it is meant to promote the game and get it out to the public. Promotional art of character, objects and environments will be put up in advertisements such as videos, posters and other things. This part of creating concept art is usually to generate a hype for the game. since people start to anticipate the game from the promotion stage, this stage is also there so that people can start to want to buy it or at least get the gist of what the game is about

Anatomical art (character)

One Punch Man

This is the final bit of artwork that came form the anime for one punch man

One Piece

This is the final artwork for Luffy in his gear 4 form that appears in One Piece and the game One Piece Burning Blood

Fire Emblem Awakening

This is the final piece of art of Lyndis that went into the game

Persona 4

This is the in game artwork of Naoto in her different costumes

Object art

Bleach

Fire Emblem Awakening

Environment art

Pokemon

Links

http://www.creativeuncut.com/game-art-galleries.html#f

Exploration

Anatomical art (character)
One Punch Manhttps://www.reddit.com/r/OnePunchMan/comments/3wm195/one_punch_man_comparisons_manga_webcomic_anime/https://www.reddit.com/r/OnePunchMan/comments/3wm195/one_punch_man_comparisons_manga_webcomic_anime/http://imgur.com/gallery/EgZ6uqM
http://inactivenobody.tumblr.com/post/131066669242/twittercom
http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-24/fea-lyndis-sketches.html
Persona 4
http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-08/p4-naoto-shirogane2.html

https://hotcutegirlygeek.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/pokemon-101-references-in-the-kalos-region/

http://inactivenobody.tumblr.com/post/131066669242/twittercom
http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-24/fea-lyndis-concept.html
Persona 4
http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-08/p4-naoto-shirogane4.html

http://inactivenobody.tumblr.com/post/131066669242/twittercom
http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-24/fea-lyndis.html
Persona 4
http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-08/p4-naoto-shirogane1.html
http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-08/p4-naoto-shirogane3.html
http://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-24/fea-shield-of-seals.html
http://chaotic-helleaven.deviantart.com/art/Rukias-Bankai-437278649

http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Celadon_City

Fire Emblem Awakening

Object art

Bleachhttp://tommo2304.deviantart.com/art/Rukia-s-Bankai-Thanks-for-50-000-views-435134744

Environment art

pokemon

Approval

Anatomical art (character)

One Punch Manhttps://www.reddit.com/r/OnePunchMan/comments/3wm195/one_punch_man_comparisons_manga_webcomic_anime/https://www.reddit.com/r/OnePunchMan/comments/3wm195/one_punch_man_comparisons_manga_webcomic_anime/http://imgur.com/gallery/EgZ6uqM

Fire Emblem Awakening

Object art

Fire Emblem Awakeninghttp://www.creativeuncut.com/gallery-24/fea-fire-emblem-and-falchion.html

Bleachhttp://es.bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Rukia_Kuchiki/Poderes_y_Habilidades

Environment art

Promotion

pokemon

http://heavy.com/tech/2016/02/pokemon-sun-and-moon-nintendo-release-date-new-mega-new-pokemon-evolutions-pictures-screenshots-leaks-concept-art/3/

http://newdaypost.com/moon-sun-new-poke-games-0193806

Anatomical art (character)

One Punch Manhttps://www.reddit.com/r/OnePunchMan/comments/3wm195/one_punch_man_comparisons_manga_webcomic_anime/https://www.reddit.com/r/OnePunchMan/comments/3wm195/one_punch_man_comparisons_manga_webcomic_anime/http://imgur.com/gallery/EgZ6uqM

One Piece

http://onepiece.wikia.com/wiki/Gomu_Gomu_no_Mi/Gear_Fourth_Techniques

Fire Emblem Awakening

Object art

Fire Emblem Awakening

Bleach

Environment art

Pokemonhttp://www.serebii.net/pokearth/kanto/1st/celadoncity.shtmlhttp://www.giantbomb.com/pokemon-heartgoldsoulsilver/3030-26372/locations/

Task 1 - The Purpose of Concept Art

Evaluate the purpose and use of concept art within the games development process, outlining the three stages of:

Exploration

Approval

Promotion

Ensure that the examples you use cover the three types of concept art:

Anatomical art (character)

Object art

Environment art

Ideally, you want to make choices that reflect your interests and own style of working as this will help to link your drawing portfolio and research to the next stage of the process, the practical assignment.

You are aiming to critically evaluate the purpose of concept art for games with supporting arguments and elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly.

This provides evidence Unit 69 – P1, M1, D1