For the final project of first year, the theme is reflection! This is our opportunity to look back on not just our work, but also our process, how we handled the briefs and more importantly, ourselves as creatives.
(Link to the full brief.)
(Link to the full brief.)
Notes from the first session:
In groups, we looked back at our previous projects from this semester and reviewed the work, whilst bringing up some interesting points regarding our own approaches to the briefs and the design process.
Initial Ideas (Written)
Since I was stuck on the idea, I started to think about possible formats my idea could be in. Animation and comic were my top picks because I really like the two and when they cropped up in the previous projects, I was extremely excited. However, due to this, I naturally had higher expectations than usual and was unhappy when I didn't meet my own standards. Therefore, if I did them again for this reflection exercise, it would serve as closure in a way. I want to prove to myself that I can do better now.
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Idea generation with tutors
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A key point of this discussion was that even if I produce a comic, it doesn't have to be a conventional one, I can play with the media I use and the panels. I can make it my own. Even the comic could be made up of absolutely anything, rather than just pages with drawings. It could include photos and animations.
Example of an animated comic from a game I know:
I like the concept of a 'moving' comic, where it zooms in and out to focus on certain panels, the use of audio and how it could be developed to add other components (e.g. animation and photography) since it's in a video. I do have an editing program I could use too (DaVinci Resolve).
The next two videos below are peer recommendations of possible forms my reflection could take.
The theme of time here is particularly relevant since it reflects how I feel about looming deadlines.
Dinosaur Studies
At this stage, the strongest contender I have as an idea for my reflection is my story with the dinosaur. Hence, I decided to do some observationals of the object in question. For reference, here are some photos:
As it is likely I will be drawing this triceratops figure often, I practised capturing it from all four sides.
Additional Thoughts
I watched back a recording of the tutorial I had at the end of Semester 1 with Tony. I noted the feedback about myself and my work to see if there was anything else to reflect on. The majority of advice were things to work on gradually and build up on for the future.
I'm not sure if this will be used directly in my outcome, but part of this final project is to actually reflect on what we've achieved so far, so it's food for thought. |
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This timeline summarises the events that happened between my dinosaur and I. The pink line marks the events I want to portray.
Initial Ideas (Visual)
These are possible representations of the events outlined above. It's time to start thinking visually! Honestly, I should have begun this stage earlier. I was strongly advised to 'just do it!' by a tutor and I went for it because you're going to keep feeling unsure with your ideas until you see them visually on a page. It's easy to be caught up in the planning and writing notes because it's comfortable, but too much can be harmful.
For the top left image, I was inspired by my peer asking about my 'inflatable dinosaur' story and it led me to think of a child at a funfair. This would be the perfect way to portray the joy I felt at the prospect of having a gigantic dinosaur. Although because I later thought riding the dinosaur would be better for this, the inflatable concept was used for when I felt despair and disappointment from the dinosaur shrinking after it had grown to a semi-gigantic size.
Rider Photoshoot
Different Angles Photoshoot
This can be used as general reference, or as pieces to a collage.
Bio Tank Reference Board
(Images pulled from Google)
This will be integral to the Growth phase of my dinosaur story. It's my first time drawing a sci-fi biohazard laboratory tank, so I gathered as many images that were as close to my vision for the tank as possible.
Stage 1: Hatch O'Clock
The concept here is that the clock cracks from all the ringing, which also links back to the title, because eggs crack when they hatch.
I quite like how this turned out, for the final outcome, which may be a video, I will add sound so you can hear the clock ringing. The audience deserves the full experience.
Stage 2: Growth
Part one:
A measuring jug and a sweet jar were indeed used in real life as the egg was an awkward size and required a large portion of water. It is simply on a table as that is where I kept it. For the distortion effect on the egg's pattern, I utilised the Liquify tool on Photoshop, which made for a fantastic finishing touch.
Part two:
Part three:
For the bio tank design, I combined the parts I liked from my reference board. For example, the top component was influenced by the top of the cyclone service assy of the Dyson Digital Slim DC62. As a comparison point, I included the table that the dinosaur was originally incubating on in the scene. To make the tank glow, I used a combination of layer effects and filters. It was mostly a case of fiddling with the different options available and seeing what effects I could produce.
Stage 3: It's Play Time!
With the photos above, I collaged together this fun piece. I chose this pose because riding the dinosaur is the most appropriate way to celebrate it being all grown up, in my opinion.
Final Stage: Shrinkage
Part one:
Part two
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Part three
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Final part
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I did my very best to hammer home exactly how much it shrank and how this in turn made me feel, especially after that initial excitement of it being fully grown. This story may be an extremely specific experience of mine, but it applies to all the other instances where excitement can raise one's expectations and when they aren't met, the unbearable disappointment that comes afterwards will stick with you for quite some time.
Final Outcome
I pieced everything together using editing software and also added audio clips to some parts. All audio was taken from freesound.org, which is very easy to use.
Please remember to unmute so you get the full experience!
Please remember to unmute so you get the full experience!