Chess Pieces and Board

I have spent a lot of time over the design of the board and the pieces. I couldnt make my mind up on whether I wanted to go for a modern unique style or an old antique style. As seen in the image below I decided to go for more of a traditional style as chess is an old game and it just seemed to fit better with the theme I am going for. Here is a render of one of the arms mid-move. Now I have to sort out the texturing, the lighting and then animate. I better draw uo my storyboard first however.

Robot Arm

Here is my final robotic arm, I changed the robotic claw to a hand as I decided I wanted to the arm to be more cartoony. I also felt I could give this hand more character than a claw making my arm more life like.  Although it looks quite simple I think it looks quite effective and it works well. What do you think?

My chess Board Arm

I havent blogged in a while now, I have just been very busy with my up coming Context 2 assignment. I have also been learning how to rig my robotic arm, I had a few problems along the way but I can now proudly say I know how to rig an arm in 3DS Max. I had an idea of how I would like my arm to look so I did a few sketches which allowed me to develop my arm. Here a few of the sketches...

My main idea was to use a claw like the ones you would find in an arcade. I also did some research to of current robotic arms which allowed me to produce this design.

Project 4: Context 2

For this project I have to research and write a report discussing my place in multimedia in terms of my network and companies that I identify, that can be connected to the the network and I am interested in working with.

So far I have researched nine different Animation studios and sent messages to them asking about what work they do and whether they offer work placements for students like me, fingers crossed I will get positive responses.

The report I have to write is between 2000 and 3000 words, which is a lot more than I have ever written I think, so I am going to do little by little each week to make the amount of work seem a lot smaller as essay writing isn't my strong point. Wish me luck!!!

Project 3: Still Life

My 3rd project is a Still Life project, I thought I'd never have to do Still Life again when I left school but apparently that is not the case. 

The brief to this project is...

'Still life can show us new ways of seeing at ordinary objects and it is one of the major genres of Western art. Principally, the subject matter is anything that does not move or is dead. So a still life includes a small grouping of all kinds of man-made or natural objects, cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, game etc. 

For this project you will need to design, model and render 4 Still life scenes using at least 6 objects that you have collected or found. Research and study various still life paintings and photographs and think about the concept you would like to convey in your scene. Consider the design elements such as the, colour, symmetry, pattern, shape, lighting, shadows and the mood with in the pictorial composition. 

Set the scene, choose the location i.e. table by window and the objects then model and texture them. Next arranging the objects until you find the most pleasing composition then add a camera and lights and render the scene. Rearrange the same objects and render scenes 2, 3 & 4.' 

The idea of this project is to think about texture, lighting,size, colouring as well as the layout of the objects, although this sound extremely boring to me, it will be important for future projects, including my current projects. 

Project 2: Fantasy Olympic Sport

The second project I have been set is to design and make up a fantasy sport for the olympics. I have to come up with an ident for the sport as well as a 30 second animation to show how the sport works.The word 'fantasy' in the title allows me to bend the rules of reality so we can make the impossible, possible in our own 3D world e.g. zero gravity games.


The brief to this project is...

'Rationale:

Branding and character design are important aspects of both animation and motion graphics,

helping to convey a mood, product or idea in a simple and engaging way. The multimedia industry is

rooted strongly in the commercial and advertising sectors and the working processes and pipelines within

producing adverts are essential to understand. This project typifies a standard request of an animator

when working with creative agencies.

Background:

After Effects is a fundamental tool within any motion graphics studio, both as a creation and post production

tool. Through looking at After Effects we shall explore and practice designing, modelling, texturing, lighting, camera

and animation techniques with a view to understanding the animation production pipeline.

In this project we will look at using it to rig and control your character, props and scenario design within After

Effect's 3D environment space, looking at the aspects needed to execute the project and the working methods that

bind it with both compositing and 3D animation software.'

At the moment I want to do something involving Kayaks but I am not really sure how I am going to make it 'futuristic' so to speak. I have done a few sketches but I am tempted to change the sport.


This project is going to be tough and will be a serious test of my skills but again I am excited about this project I just need to find a good idea so i can let my creative ideas flow.

Project 1: Self Defeating Chessboard Game

The first of the 4 projects I have been set this term is a 'Self Defeating Chessboard Game.' The brief say's this... 

'Use all your creative skills and media savyness to produce at least 30 seconds of animation to demonstrate a conflicted self-defeating Chess playing machine to extreme comic effect. The Machine should evidently wish to defeat itself during the animation without narration, think hand gestures and body language. When designing and animating think about articulation, timing, camera shots, compositing Foley [sound effects], mise en scène and lighting.

Through looking at Hierarchy and control then character and prop design we shall explore and practice designing modelling, rigging, camera and animation techniques with a view to understanding the animation production pipeline. We shall look at the work of big studio and independent animation auteur’s with a view to developing an understanding of the creative and professional context of this vocation.'

I have a few ideas floating around and I have done a few sketches which I will upload shortly I just need to improve them. I am excited about this project, it should allow me to develop my skills rapidly. Andy is a good and exciting lecturer making this project a whole lot easier to do but I have to remember that the deadline isn't very far away.

Year 2 - It's good to be back!!

I have been back at university for nearly two weeks now and I have already been set 4 projects. I have chosen the Virtual Environment pathway as I concluded at the end of last year. Over the summer I played around on 3Ds Max to improve my skills and keep the software fresh in my mind although I have nothing to show for this I felt it was important to do this and has worked to my advantage for the beginning of this new year.


I look forward to what else is to come this year and I hope by the end of this year my skills have improved dramatically. I also hope that you continue to enjoy the work I produce and continue to give me feedback as it is important for me to learn where I can improve my work in all areas.