In All This Chaos

 

:)

Team Reflection..

The trials and tribulations of Team Drowning Fish didn't actually involve much water…

One things I want to discuss was my teams decision not to appoint a leader. It was a big’un that had both positive and negative outcomes. Giving us equal power in the team meant that we made decisions in unity. Everything was discussed as a whole, so the final level had all of our input and personalities in. This point had a drawback however. Having numerous weekly meetings meant we spent too much time talking and not enough time getting the work done.

One point that was made was that the whole team had big personalities, so we should all have an equal say. I think, to a degree, this worked out. Having confident team members meant the ideas kept churning and problems were always dealt with head on rather than skirted around because of shyness. This however had a huge drawback.. Big personalities mean there will always be an element of competition to have your say. Unfortunately this was very evident in our team. Members often found it hard to communicate when it came to certain aspects of the project and this often lead to disagreements. At the height of this friction there was a big argument in the labs that left all of the team split apart and we never really mended after that.

I think I am fairly good in social situations and as both of my parents are child psychologists (imagine growing up in that environment) I’ve been taught from an early age how to deal with different people and act appropriately when an individual is angry or unhappy. This knowledge helped me and awful lot in the team project. Working in a team is all about compromise and  communication and our team had problems with  the former. Half of the group believed we should go one way, the other half disagreed. Often this resulted in two separate paths being taken and having to patch up the mess in the end, which wasted time and patience on all fronts. A leader would have been much better in this situation, as the final decision would be up to them, and the team could work as a whole again.

In conclusion, I think it would have been better to have a team leader appointed. Towards the end, one member acted as leader anyway as is natural when a group of people have to work in a team. It would have been easier to appoint this member as team leader in the first place, as they would have gained respect rather than having to lead from a sheltered point constantly being berated for any decisions he had to make on his own! This would have added structure to our meetings too, as we ended up going on a tangent for hours on end about something off topic.

I enjoyed the social side of this project. Having a group there to discuss ideas and problems with really motivated me into getting my work done. The support structure a team provides really leads to quicker growth, I could feel myself absorbing everything my team mates told me like a sponge. It was lovely working with such knowledgeable people, and the stress of deadlines really brings you closer as friends. On the other hand, working with other students is HELL . It was certainly a useful experience in preparation for the industry though, even if I have lost most of my soul in the process.

Reflection…

Where on EARTH did that last year go? No seriously, it flew by!

The last 6 months have been the strangest I have ever experienced. So much has changed and I feel like a completely different person! In January I broke up with my boyfriend of nearly 5 years, which completely changed my out look on everything I done. At the start of the year I found my self at a loss. I had built up this personality over those years that was appropriate to my circumstances, and here I was, thrown in to the single life without a life belt. I felt like I had no identity. So I made one up.. What an emotional rollercoaster those first few months were. I am just so glad I didn't just give up on uni all together.

I spent the start of the year going a little wild (in my books anyway!).. travelling up to Coventry on most weekend’s to party with my friends and then coming home and isolating myself from my house mates (one of which being my ex.. oohh complicated!) and spending most of my time out of the house.  I’m not sure how.. but I kept up with the uni team project quite well.. Everything else just sort of.. fell apart.

When March came around and the Blitz open day loomed it dawned on me that this is what I wanted.. That was that really. I have paid for those months of partying though, I have had a lot of catching up to do.. But here I am!

I swear my life is so dramatic sometimes… Which is strange because I’m really not a dramatic person. I just find myself in strange situations that I deal with by laughing and just seeing the funny side of  it. What else can you do?!

Moving on..

The team project was just… STRESSFULL. That is the only word for it really. Despite this I learnt invaluable lessons and worked with some really inspirational peers. Working in a team definitely had its perks! The sense of humour in our group was really brilliant, I've had some hilarious conversations and it was great getting on so well with people I would have otherwise hardly spoken too. It was also brilliant have a support system there for you 24/7 (literally, game art students never sleep). It felt so much more easier to work in that environment rather than sat along in your room constantly worrying what you are doing is wrong! I think I’ll write a blog about the team project actually.. I have a bit to say on the matter!

Moving on.. again..

The Blitz open day gave me exactly the feedback I needed to shift my focus away from partying and back on to my work and future career. I had some truly great feedback on that trip, it was possibly the best experience of the year. The advice given was priceless. I went in with little to no confidence in my work, and left feeling positively ecstatic about the future. Sounds like overkill right? But all the way back I couldn't stop talking about  what a great day I had!

I now have two professional opinions on what I need to do to strengthen my portfolio. I have met some inspiration people in the industry and also some of my potential peers I may be pitching against! And let me tell you, the quality of work was astounding. But strangely, I didn't feel intimidated! I just felt this almighty push towards my final goal. I finally felt like all of this was achievable… and its ALL on my back. But I’m strong enough to take it. Easy peasey, mate.

Life Changing or Career Building?

This course is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Since getting a place my artwork has improved at an incredible rate. My 3D modelling skills have gone from absolute zilch to moderately good in two years. I am so very proud to be part of it really, and I’m proud that I am still here, despite the mahusive cull of last year.

Even if I don’t pass this year, I have learnt one incredible lesson. Practise is the key. Whatever the tutor’s teach us, whatever the industry thinks it wants you to know.. if you show passion, dedication and promise, you will be employed. If you get turned down by the first lot of suckers, just keep at it, keep polishing those skills and eventually someone will spot it in your work.

I think the fundamentals of art and modelling are the most important aspects of the course to me. In order to find passion you must understand the thing you are studying. Once you are proficient enough in the basics of everything you can specialise on your own. If a student has found a love of concept art, for example, they will spend all of the time they are willing to give up on the skill. Which will turn them into a skilled artist. They won’t be able to reach this point if they haven't got a good grasp on the fundamentals of art!

In terms of being taught technical skills that are only relevant here and now, what on Earth is the point?! Surely by the time we graduate those skills will be halfway towards worthless. Our time would be better off being spent on how to understand colour theory or how to handle foreshortening! These are the skills that will be useful when the next software update comes out and you find your old technical knowledge dismissed as old news. True traditional art skills will never be worthless to employers. Time and time again I hear how important it is to make good visual decisions, these don’t come naturally and must be learnt through practise!

Now, don’t get me wrong. Having a good up to date knowledge of the technical skills that are being used right now will always useful, this is a game art course after all. The modelling part is extremely important, but it is also dynamic and ever changing. It seems like a waste of time constantly catching up with the new craze when the slightly older one is very similar. Especially if it still teaches you the necessary skills just with a different set of buttons! I think finding your way around a 3D space and getting used to the different processes you will be using in the industry is more important than being the big boy with the brand new toy.. Or big girl, for that matter.

Creativity

Oh.. Hullo again creativity. What is it, the third meet already? I think your stalking me.. go away.

I refuse to look at my first creativity two posts, I’m scared those words will bounce around my brain and subconsciously gloop  into this blog. Here goes..

“We are the facilitators of our own creative evolution.”

-Bill Hicks.

Get ready for a decisive blog.. I'm in that kind of mood.

Everyone is creative. No one is any more creative than the next person and if they appear so it is simply because your own view of creativity is different to mine. Some may say that a fine artist is more creative than a mathematician, but maths is a creative pursuit in itself. It takes an incredible grasp of pattern and logic to handle numbers, you have to think outside the box to solve problems and equations. Isn't that just as creative as putting pen to paper?

Is a dust bin man any less creative than a composer? I don’t think so. The dustbin man has chosen to pursue a career that doesn't involve much creative thinking, but were he to come across a problem with the truck that needed fixing, he would show far more creativity than the composer would if he were in the same situation. The dustbin man would fix the problem with skill he feels comfortable and practised in. The composer would stand on the road side dumbfounded.

How do I show my creativity as an artist? By creating something that's from the heart despite having a fear of criticism and rejection. Simply by expressing myself through art I feel like I show creativity. Every time I pick up a pencil and draw, no matter what the outcome looks like, I have gone through a creative process. By being passionate and consistent with this creativity I think I am beginning to show talent. How would I expect it to be acknowledged by others? If I thought too much about that, I don’t think I would be an artist.

I think creativity requires confidence. And once that confidence is found, anything you put your mind to will seem like you do so with a creative flare.

This is also what I think the fundamental difference between creativity and talent consists of. Creativity is having the confidence to pick up a pencil and put it to paper, anything you produce will display creativity whether your 3 and drawing a spud with legs, or 29 drawing an illustration for a magazine article. Talent, however, shows itself with practise and passion. The more you practise, the more talented you appear. The more passionate you are, the more you practise.

This music..

 

 

…makes me want to draw.

Game Engines

Game engines appear intimidating to the naked eye, but when you open up the software and have a gander… they continue to intimidate. Opening up Unreal gave me the same feeling of being out of my depth that 3DS Max did on my first day at uni. But here I am, handling Max like I’ve been using it for years. Over the Summer, I am determined to make UDK like me… or at least tolerate me having a tinker with its settings.

Engines are pretty darn important, they provide the tools to blend all the different elements of a game together. They..err.. drive them, if you will. There are a fair few out, as you can imagine, each with their very own list of perks.

The Unreal engine is the first example that comes to mind (I wonder why). It’s a very popular engine that has been around since 1998. Since then it seems like piles and piles of companies have used some element of unreal to run their game. From Bioshock to Brother bear. It’s even used by companies who already have their own in house engines,for example BioWare, Ubisoft and EA have all used a modified version in some games.  This is possibly because it works out relatively cheaper to use than creating a game from scratch.

Cryteks, Cryengine makes absolutely beautiful games and can be thanked for visuals such as this:

 

Unlike most other engines, the Cryengine does not need any middleware and can support its own physics, sound and animations.  Always a plus.

The RAGE engine ( I enjoyed typing out that work in capitals, I need to get out more) which created Red Dead Redemption seems to be exciting new blood. This newborn engine has the ability to handle large worlds, weather effects and a range of game play genres. And of course, the fact that is still growing shows promise of bigger, badder things to come! Here's some purdy pictures:

I’m going to finish off on a favourite. Naughty Dog Game Engine. Uncharted 2. Om nom..

I talk about this game waaaaaay too much, but I think it demonstrates exactly what the games industry can do. That game is just so visually stunning, it’s one of the only games I could sit and watch someone play for hours on end. I think it just shows what a good engine in the right hands is capable of.

PHWOAR:

The environments just look so crisp and believable, the animation on the vegetation is ultra realistic and the mood they have created with the lighting and colour schemes just hits you each time you enter a new level. Every single aspect has been put together perfectly to create an environment that invigorates your senses. That sounded like a herbal essences campaign but you now understand my passion.  I WANT TO MAKE GAMES LIKE THIS ONE. 

From generalist to specialist?

My visit to the Blitz open day gave me an incredible insight into where I want to be and how to get there if I did choose the games industry. I had a one to one feedback session where my portfolio was critiqued. They judged the work on industry standard, which terrified the life out of me.

I went in to that room expecting to be laughed at. I know that sounds ridiculous and melodramatic, but that’s honestly what was going through my mind. I expected to sit down, open up my portfolio and have to sit there, red faced while the professionals ripped apart my work and said, in the nicest way possible, I’d never make it at this rate, and perhaps should try for a secretarial work instead. Of course, that’s not what happened.. but I’ll go into that in my 2nd year review blog. Oh, I’m such a tease!

So.. after all I have learnt so far, with everything the tutors/professionals have advised and from where the industry stands at this moment in time.. what do I want to be? 

Well..

I STILL want to be a concept artist.

Now this is a big thing for me to say. I have been tempted over and over again to stop and reassess my situation.. to convince myself to stop dreaming about becoming a concept artist. I have been told that only the best of the best can get that job and it’s unbelievably easy to just think.. SCREW IT, this shit is too stressful, I’ll aim for the easier option..

But this was never going to be easy, in fact, if it was easy.. I’d be disappointed.

What I learnt at Blitz is that yes, you do indeed need to be the best of the best to get a job as a concept artist… But someone has to do it, so why the hell can’t it be me?!

I’ve just got to work my buttocks off.

My visit to the Blitz open day gave me an incredible insight into where I want to be and how to get there if I did choose the games industry. I had a one to one feedback session where my portfolio was critiqued. They judged the work on industry standard, which terrified the life out of me.

I went in to that room expecting to be laughed at. I know that sounds ridiculous and melodramatic, but that’s honestly what was going through my mind. I expected to sit down, open up my portfolio and have to sit there, red faced while the professionals ripped apart my work and said, in the nicest way possible, I’d never make it at this rate, and perhaps should try for a secretarial work instead. Of course, that’s not what happened.. but I’ll go into that in my 2nd year review blog. Oh, I’m such a tease!

Actually.. secretarial work wouldn't be all that bad now I've thought about it, I have a thing for organising paper work and answering the phone. There you go, I have a fall back option. My other ‘just in case’ job would be to become a post woman… and no, I’m not joking.  Working in the outdoors, big tips at Christmas, finished by 12, good pay?! Cushty.

Interaction Design

I think 3D is a gimmick.

We have had 3D films for ages? The reason it never kicked off in the first place is because it wasn't worth the money… And now people are buying stupidly over priced 3D TV’s to sit in front of with their stupidly over priced personal 3D glasses. I went along with the 3D cinema shows for a while because, yeah, ok… they look pretty. But not pretty enough to pay an extra 3 squids for the privilege. And then they ask for your glasses back? PAHAHA no. I have 3 pairs sitting at home in my desk now. Do they give you a discount if you bring your own glasses? No. No they don't. As for 3D gaming.. I've played on a 3DS for an hour. for the first 5 minutes I was impressed, but then it bored me.

Just like the Wii. Which brings me on to motion controllers. Oh.. yes.

*sigh*

I know the levels of obesity in children are rising, and the average size of a female in the UK has risen to a size 14-16 but frankly, I don’t give a damn when it starts to interfere with my gaming future. I don't want to be standing swinging a stick around the air, it look’s un-cool and it looks boring. Why can’t we just keep our wireless controllers in our laps and sit with a cuppa. That's my idea of escaping reality. Not jumping around the place like a loon trying to get a motion sensor to work despite the fact I’m standing RIGHT IN FRONT OF IT.

And no, I’m not just being lazy. I will go out for a run if I fancy it, I play badminton on a Friday evening. But that’s because I enjoy leaving the house and getting fresh air. I enjoy playing for a team and having a run around. I enjoy working my body, and pushing it. Waving my arms around and gyrating my hips will not achieve any of that..

But now I have had my major rant, I will just add one praise. I have played Just Dance and that was very good fun. Particularly if your watching your friends going at it drunk. I guess I just worry that the bigger companies will get swept away with the novelty of all of this innovation and forget about the old school gamers. The ones that sit for hours slack jawed and semi conscious, the ones that play the coolest games.

So, guys… you’ve had a muck around with your new toys, you've ridden the motion sensitive wave. Now put down that silly little nunchuck and take off those oversized glasses and get on with making some real games. Include some relatable characters while your at it, yeah? Cheers.

Sound

Music has an impressive effect on the human psyche.  You can listen to an ill suited playlist for an hour and go through a rollercoaster of emotions in one sitting. I know, as this has happened to me on a bad day.. damn that shuffle.

A scene in a game is just a scene when watched without sound. It’s just a visual image that comes in a split second and is lost. Music lingers on. It causes our brain to recognise a the tone of the situation, and our emotions act accordingly. The same is said for films, music just makes that crisp, lasting impression.

Whenever I hear Queen’s ‘don’t stop me now’ I cant help but giggle and think of this scene :

Final Fantasy XII has my most memorable soundtrack.  I still have to skip Aeris’s theme tune on my MP3 because of the mood swing it causes me. Every single town has the appropriate music accompaniment…

…and you are left humming it for the rest of the day. Even now, when I overhear the victory tune on some geeks ringtone I feel triumphant!

Bioshock is filled with atmosphere, and although the graphics are pretty funky, the sounds definitely make this game what it is. The chilling moans and whispers of the splicer's, the frantic violins and the creepy retro music combine to make absolutely awesome game play. Watching this video gave me shivers, I know exactly what is going to happen, but the music still makes me jump. Now I really want to play it again!

Shadow of the Colossus would have been quite a poor game if it weren't for the music. The player spends most of their time in silence,  traversing around a vast landscape with only the wind and a horse for accompaniment. Suddenly, you veer around a rock on your horse and this magnificent music kicks in. Your heart starts going and you can feel the adrenalin course through you. It’s such an amazing experience, that game was just immense. Each colossus has it's own theme, and each is different and unique in its own way. It’s little things like that which make a soundtrack great.

I feel like I need to mention Fallout 3. Although the usual in game sounds were nothing to shout about, I got very, very attached to the music they played constantly on “Galaxy News Radio”.  Having a far off radio humming whilst you a exploring what should be an empty building is very disconcerting, but there's nothing quite like blowing off a raiders head whilst humming along to vintage song’s from the 1940’s.

Doodle book update…

I have been doing my daily sketches though not consistently. I’m rubbish at scanning them all in, I never remember!

Here is a backlog of them for you to peruse…

I have many scruffy sketches of scenery my car window, all of which look like masses of squiggles. These three are the best of a bad bunch.

    

My nana has been poorly over Christmas, so I have been spending a bit of time at the hospital staring into space! The last 5 pages are sketches of patients.

The hospital decided to put Christmas songs on loop in the waiting room we had gathered in. After hearing Santa Baby for the 5th time, it’s no wonder most of the patients look ready to commit mass suicide.

Level Design

Previously, the title ‘Level Designer’  brought to mind a single lucky fellow spinning out level ideas of which were instantly transformed into reality by a group of obedient artists and modellers. They continually work with visually compelling imagery and.. well  ... I actually assumed it was a fairly easy job. How naive.

The amount of planning that goes into each of the designs is phenomenal. Building a successful map is an art form in itself. Working up to the final design requires a lot of trial and error before you get something challenging and entertaining for the player. Often they fail even after all of that effort… it’s not an easy job!

Before any artwork is involved the team meet and discuss ideas. Intense planning and research ensues resulting in sketches, mood boards and check lists. After approval simple geometry is blocked out in 3D and shoved in front of any play tester they can get their hands on. This constructive input is put into consideration and the level is tweaked until unrecognisable.

Only then is the level given to concept artists to paint-over who work on the overall look of the level. It is then passed off to environment artists who make further tweaks and changes, adding level after level of detail until happy with the finished art.

Half Life 2 has a particularly successful level design. The maps have clear direction without feeling too constraining and the environments feel familiar enough to be believable. All of the levels flow beautifully and you always have a clear sense of where you are heading. Each level climax has been unmistakably imprinted into my brain, and I remember them clearly and fondly!

To me a successful level keeps the player moving at a consistent pace. I instantly feel underwhelmed when I think I have found a secrete passage that leads to loot but instead discover a mindless barricade or dead end. I feel betrayed as a double back on myself with nothing shiny to distract me. I think all paths should lead to a destination, even if the loot at the end simply consists of a worthwhile view – a tactic  beautifully executed by the Uncharted games…

I also appreciate feeling orientated. Massive, complicated levels make me feel lost and panicky before I even get the chance to defeat any foes. If I haven't got a map, I find being able to see my final destination reassuring. Distinctive markers and worn paths help me keep track of where I have been and simply catching a glimpse of the destination in the distance acts as a comforter. I don't appreciate being surrounded by enemies whilst  feeling impossibly lost!

Work…

… from the Loughborough train station. We visited near start of term but I never got round to posting them up. 

   Thumbs…

 

..and a final.

Composition

“To take photographs means to recognize – simultaneously and within a fraction of a second – both the fact itself and the rigorous organization of visually perceived forms that give it meaning. It is putting one’s head, one’s eye and one’s heart on the same axis.”

-Henri Cartier-Bresson

Bresson happens to be one of my favourite photographers. I love how his work oozes mystery and character.

 

He is a master at compositional photography…

This one in particular uses the golden ratio. How the brain and eye work together is fascinating stuff. Certain shapes and proportions are easier for our brain to decipher. Adrian Bejan, a professor of mechanical engineering at Duke University, in North Carolina, has made some interesting discoveries in the field of theoretic mathematics. He claims that the human eye is capable of interpreting the golden ratio proportions faster and more efficiently than any other shape.

That would explain why so many of the old masters of art use these proportions in their work. Leonardo Davinci, Salvador Dali and Botticelli to name a few.

With the help of composition we can determine what we intend to make the viewer look at first, where they will travel and finally come to a halt. I have a geeky interest in finding pleasing compositions, particularly in photography. Oddly, I have only just implementing the same rules in some of my paintings. I guess I never put two and two together. I find it a lot more natural to think about things like leading lines and framing with a camera up to my face - though I have recently made much more of an effort to play around with composition in my thumbnails.

Although we concentrated quite heavily on composition in my photography course, I have learnt quite a bit more since starting Game art and simply researching on the interweb. I first planned to outline all of the aforementioned rules and give examples, but looking around, there are plenty of places that do that for you. Here is a particularly good one. Here is one that will entertain you with ridiculously out dated pictures but relevant information. Although both are aimed at photographers, I think the rules are interchangeable.

Here is an incredible resource for everything from composition to art materials. James Gurney has been a constant inspiration to me, and his blog is a gold mine of interesting articles and tips on how to become better artist. These two are my favourite blogs he has written with a compositional theme.

Some bullet points to outline the things I feel I still need to work on:

- Never run out of space, judge distances and proportions first before adding detail 

- Use a pencil as a measuring stick using this technique (I really need to do this more)

- Play with light and contrast to guide the eye

- Remember my contrasting colours from school. Keep an eye on colour temperatures and how they create atmosphere (warm colours draw attention, cool colours create space etc.)

- Be more creative with negative space

- Watch my object grouping ( i.e. a balanced piece reflects symmetry, calm and order and  an asymmetrical piece may draw attention to a point of emphasis or create disorder)

Here’s an interesting article on composition. The link takes you to one of my favourite page of tips on the site, but take a look around, it’s pretty useful stuff:

Wow, I think I have used too many hyperlinks in this post. Sorry.

Doodles

Richard Preston

 

Sunrise

Ocean Sediment

Verdant

“Preston's work is imbued with the themes of relatedness, rootlessness, displacement and home; how universal forces replicate in the human the same forms exhibited in the Earth: the cycle of mountain building, the evidence of tectonic action, the forces of growth and decay, erosion - how a discontinuous continuity can be discerned through an in depth, patient observation and how we, as self-conscious beings, struggle to find personal relevance in this vast cosmos” – Prestville Art

I love that description.

This is Richard Preston's work with beading and textiles. These squares of colour remind me of my home! My family collect paintings, tapestries and statues from all over the world and most are laced with colours and beads much like these.

Sketches from the last few days…

Urgh… yuk.

Though these horrid little sketches are simply speedy observational doodles, I cant help but feel disheartened when they turn out so. Darn. Shoddy.

Note to self: Must remember that PRACTISE MAKES PURRFECT.