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I held off posting this until after Mitch Small's lecture. 


It has really hit home how important planning my workload can affect my performance. 
I'm still disorganised with regard to balancing the workload. 
I seem to focus on what I feel is more interesting than what is a priority. 
I have to consider the time factors for each project better so I can make time more available for the projects I want to focus on. 


After reading through the Mere Kat Process and Planning document it really shed light on some of my concerns. 


My main problem is that without a process I flounder about and fail to reach my potential. 
If I know what steps to proceed by, it's all plain sailing. 


If I still haven't walked through a stage when planning out, if I miss a step, it tends to float around in my head like a soap bubble. Always niggling for attention. 

So getting a reasonable amount of thumbnail sketches onto paper really helps dust out the bad ideas. 
You soon 
It also allows you to gain some momentum with your work and reference those stronger ideas when a problem happens to arise. 
Going back a step is never good in any industry so pre-planning is going to save both time and money. 


I used to feel like I had cheated when I used a pose from reference. I don't know why? 
Now that I think of it, it was incredibly dumb and counter productive. 
I must have thought that I wasn't a real artists unless I originated my own ideas. What an idiot! 
Maybe some bad advice when I was younger? 


Reading Mere Kat's thoughts on using reference to guide your work really dispersed all fears. 
How else would I learn? It's so obvious now. 


Having the privilege of seeing Mitch Small at work was a revelation. 
I feel that with more practice ( a lot more) I can produce work at speed that communicates my ideas. 
Which will in turn enable me to focus my results more efficiently. 


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I have been tinkering around with an idea for a game since August. Initially it began as joke between me and Inez. 
I woke up one night and she was doodling an interesting little character on my PC. 
She must have lost faith in it because despite my pleading she saw fit to delete the image. 


Little did she know that my software auto-backs images to my desktop. I inspected the plucky little character once again and instantly felt inspired to create some friends for him. 

'Minion'

Inez gave me the go ahead to keep the image for reference. And so began the genesis of "MINIONS" 

All the MInions from L to R: Raid, Toro, Heinz, Armold, Vulc, Orbis,
Skracth, Croaxe, Grrrr, Bead, Ball, Sir Neigm, Furn, Dex,
Drake, Ventz, Ertz, Pot-Shot, Pinch, Crax, Mister Reyes.

Minion is himself a 'minion' of a 'Dark Lord' who has chosen to rage against the world. 
This stirs something deep inside Minion and causes him to revolt against his masters evil plans.
For his efforts he is cast out of the 'Dark Lords' realm, to a place where all the rejected minions reside. 


So it's up to Minion to rally the other Minions together to defeat their evil master.


This idea really took root in my mind. 


We had a great time firing game ideas at each other whilst waiting to go on rides at Alton Towers. A great source of inspiration which I recommend to all. 
Being in a positive sense of mind really accelerates your creative thought process because your full of enthusiasm. 


And being at a Theme Park is like walking through a Video Game environment. 
Everything is carefully constructed to maximise your enjoyment.


(Also having a whole Summer break was a big help. But completely unrealistic in the working world). 


Each character started out in my sketch book to then be refined by points of reference to where I thought these characters were heading. 
One of my main influences is 'Time Bandits' a film created by Monty Python comrades Terry Gilliam and Micheal Palin in 1981.

The Bandits with 'The Map of The Universe'

David Warner as 'Evil Genius'

Terry Gilliam. This pretty much says it all :)

And a rather odd game called 'The Misadventures of Tron Bonne'. 

This game is set in the universe from the Megaman Legends titles. 
The difference with this game is that the main protagonist is the villain. It's an enjoyable deviation from the usual path. 
Tron Bonne is a pirate that raids towns and dungeons for all their resources. The problem is your crew is an inept bunch of robots. 
To improve their performance you must specialize them in certain fields. 

I love how the Thief is pulling a pig behind him :D

Here are a few Servbots and their potential abilities - 

No. 9 Hurried Attack Speed Brains

A sharpshooter, he's known by his nickname, "The Gunslinger." Location: Gym Skill: Sniper Give him the Comic found on scouting missions.

No. 2 Smart Attack Speed Brains

Smart works in development and the field. He's a fighter and a scientist. Location: Lab Skill: Bazooka Raise Attack and Brains ratings to 4.

No. 5 Strange Attack Speed Brains

Strange has the kind of personality where you never know what he's thinking. Location: Café Skill: None No skill requirement.

This is the quirk that I enjoyed about this game. Essentially evolving these little guys to be useful.
It's quite a positive endeavour. And fun too more importantly. 
One thing I always read about in the games industry, if it's not fun, it's not a good game. 


As the course goes on I would like to use what I am learning to try and expand this concept. 
It could be good or it could all just seem like a good idea in my head. 
I'll just have to find out.

Reflections, Ambitions

First I would like to become more prolific with my work. Just get more done. 

I felt I did the bare minimum for the first year. Admittedly I spent a great deal of time getting my head around 3ds Max. But still, I would like to have had more to show for it. 

I want to keep the level of work to a consistent and ideal standard. Which is a challenge, especially for subjects we haven't quite dealt with yet. 

But I think this needs to be maintained like any piece of work we would be tasked to produce in the industry and certain standard is expected. Better to get into that mindset sooner than later. 

On the flip-side of that I need to stop pressuring myself with workloads. If I organise myself better I won't panic down the line if something doesn't go to plan. 

I got myself worked up into a real mess last year. Admittedly a lot of it was due to my funding being rejected, then approved, then rejected, approved, etc. 

I just didn't need that at the time, ...."sigh!" :p

I feel I've always been a little disorganised. I think the excuse of being an artist is getting a bit thin now. Time to get my s***t together and start being more self aware. 

I was going to write 'professional' but it felt like I was talking some spiel. 

I'm not writing a CV here.

I'm feeling generally more confident about my work now. 

After the first year I was really unsure about my style and approach. 

I had spent so long doing things a certain way that I was fighting against anything different, even subconsciously. 

Now I've adapted to the new way of things my own style is starting to emerge again but reinforced by the informed approaches we have covered. 

I can see areas I have improved upon that would have slowed me down previously due to that missing fundamental knowledge. 

Which is very uplifting. 

One other key element to improving upon last year is to take a step back from my work and really look at it. 

Observing and correcting the errors before it's too late. Previously I don't think I could see the forest for the trees. 

It's like what Jolyon Webb said to us "the sign of a good artist is being able to spot and amend your mistakes". 

At least that's an approximation of his meaning.

My abilities in 2D still outweigh my 3D but I use all my knowledge to improve upon that subject. 

It's working so far but sometimes I need to speed up. 

I get really hung up making sure topography is correct for my models. It's an uphill struggle, mainly against myself, but I'm getting there with each project. 

So to be concise:-

I need to refine my artistic judgement. Increase my output of work. Organise and plan my workload. Maintain a consistent level of quality. 


As far as my ambitions go I've always been good at generating ideas and I've felt that improve as I've been on the course. 
I get very introspective about certain character ideas or reasons for levels looking and feeling the way they do. 
I can easily get a very rich personal history from some simple sketches of a character. 


Although this is all internal to begin with adding these personal touches to the appearance of a character or scene tells a lot. 
I'm not saying concept artist, maybe a character artist? I'd like to develop this skill more over the year. 
Good ideas are sometimes out of reach, so I'd like to be a dependable source of them. 
It has been the case for most of my life, so why stop now?


Having a rich visual education helps too. I am like a sponge for visual information. Hopefully it can all be of use. You never know. 
I can usually get a handle on what motifs a director is using to send the audience visual cues. Especially when they are cleverly buried in a scene. 


I admit a lot of my own development has been through pop culture. But I'm no heathen of the arts. 
I aim to expand my knowledge base because I like to be well informed. I prefer to genuinely know what I am talking about. 
I can honestly say I'm not there yet. This endeavour can take your whole life. But it's not a bad aspiration to have.

Personal Review Of The First Year

One of the first things I would like to see more of is the staff. 
I realise that it has been an extremely difficult year for them, this time around. 
Lots of tumultuous incidents and unfortunate events. 


I really sympathise, but it is necessary to have more interaction, so we can improve and gain more confidence. 
Mainly though, we are interested in what you have to say "oh wise ones!" :D 


I've gained a lot of insight from the critical studies lessons. I enjoyed the method of presentation and it made it easy to absorb. 
It also teaches us how to use artistic judgement more constructively. And how to perceive the choices others have made, artistically and with relevance.


(This is just for an example - Although I have drawn in a vaguely similar style in the past, I do not like Anthro art!) 


I can't put this persons name on here, it just wouldn't be right. 


They obviously have skill. But it creeps me out when I look at it!

Urgh! Here is an actually Anthro Fox.
I feel like my eyes are dirty!
This is all kinds of wrong.

I would never presume to think that I am more knowledgeable than any one else, I am a little older than most on the course, yet I'm still learning, always will be. 


All I know is, I want to know a lot more! :)
So I can make the right decisions with my art.

Feed your Braaains!

I've had some sleepless nights tackling 3Dsmax. But despite that fact, I have enjoyed it! 
(I've also loathed and detested it ;p) 
But I'm a lot happier with my progress now. I've just come to accept that when I do a 3D project, random sh*t will happen. 
Thank you for your patience Heather :)


I think that I've demonstrated good progress with the software, especially in the last project - Weapon of Choice

Weapon of Choice  - Murasame Blade

For once it was smooth sailing! Not one problem :D 
When I look back at the first few weeks of the year, I can't believe that I could produce something like this so soon. 
I'm quite proud of how it turned out. 


The Vehicle project really taxed my abilities at that time. 
I really wanted it to be precise when I submitted it. 
It was the best I could do at that point in the semester. But overall, I'm pleased with the end result. 
It looks like a van! (A very tiny van)

Also my Gurus Project looked quite tidy. 
I learned why a Poly budget is advised! I had none left for his zip :( 
When it came to laying out my textures, I had no clue.

When I start the second year I hope to have mastered laying out an efficient texture template. 
I still look at UVW's and think "where do I start?"

I really need to make a few different character models to experiment with varying body types. 

Even though I've always made an effort to understand anatomy when drawing, it wasn't entirely accomplished with my Gladiator Model -

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I'm beginning to like my visual design work again. 


I started off the year very confident and lost that somewhere along the way. 

I sat for hours sketching this :)

I think it was just the gaps in my knowledge using traditional media. Yes, I can draw. But paint?


I couldn't remember how to use a brush, it had been so long! I knew that I would never be any good, especially in my own eyes, if I didn't start with the basics all over again. 

Acrylics - I tried to emulate the lividity of my skin.
If you look at my wrist you can only just see two large blueish veins.

I tried to emulate a Water-Colour style in Photoshop.
It's good progress. I'm getting better.

I played around with custom brush settings for this image.
It helped especially with the foliage as each plant is so different.

I'm getting a lot more confident again. 
I need to think about my points of interest in my images in the future. Some aspects of the subject matter can be changed or removed to improve the composition. 


Overall I feel there is still so much to learn. I need to relax more when I work too. 


Here is an image I drew in Painter just before we started the course - 

It isn't great. It's not even finished! But I was totally relaxed when I worked on it. 


I feel I stressed myself out in the middle of the first semester and couldn't concentrate properly.
I was operating like it was a race to the finish. Subsequently I did very little prep work and just threw myself into final pieces. 
Well, I realise I won't learn anything with that approach. If only I'd realised sooner :)


Luckily Chris was continually supportive throughout the whole period.

 I think it would be good to observe Chris producing some work alongside us. So we can see how to apply this artistic judgement we are developing. :)


Maybe if we all sat and painted the same subject? 
I know a lot of the work is self directed study but I really enjoyed the moments when everyone was in the same room working. It just felt good! 


I think that is why some people fell behind. If we're all grouped together there is always someone  to ask for advice or opinion on their own work. 


The workshop that Mike Pickton and Tristan put together at the end of semester two was a great idea. It was very positive and constructive. I think it should be a regular occurrence. 


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I recently played a Board Game (of sorts) called Identik by Asmodee 



http://asmodee.com/ressources/jeux_versions/identik_6.php


It really encourages artistic judgement and conveying visual information efficiently to the other players. 
And it was fun! 
 (I should have just said visual communication! Fail!)


What decides the winner is not necessarily artistic ability but also the ability to interpret the key elements that make up the whole picture. 




Read the description below - 

The drawing game where drawing talent is optional!

Each round, one player (the Portrayer) describes an image, while the other players (artists) draw the image using a list of hidden criteria. The more details the Artists get right, the higher their score.

Features

-Innovative drawing game
-No ''down-time''- all players play every round
-Guaranteed laughs
-Great for parties

(£23 on www.amazon.co.uk)

Someone may discover they have the latent abilities of an Art Director waiting to blossom.
Maybe we could invest in a copy? Or just simulate the rules? 


It's the process I'm interested in exploring with the class.


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We could all benefit from combining all our resources as well. 
Between us we have a wealth of tutorials and videos that some have yet to discover. 
And the library, although it has a vast selection, is missing some vital sources. 

We also need to discover some new locations to study for visual design. 
Although I would love to help get our current options reopened, I just don't believe they will ever get enough funding to maintain them and that is very sad. 
Meanwhile we're missing out on visiting stimulating places. We need to feed our brains!
(With the exception of Bradgate Park, which is awesome)


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I did find an alternative Pumping Station in Nottingham. :)
It would require the hiring of a mini-bus though.


http://www.papplewickpumpingstation.co.uk/

The Beam Engines inside are lovingly cared for by the staff. 
You can walk right up to them too! No barriers!


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The situation needs a lot more dedication and support than we can provide. It's really the public's waning interest that is the cause, something we have little control over. 


Maybe if they set up a themed bar in the museums? 


I joke! 
But that is probably the most successful route they could take. Especially in Leicester.


I think it is just the state of things at this point in time, our government has almost turned it's back on the arts. 
So let's not rely on them. 


One thing the course needs is recognition. Especially if we are competing to gain the next batch of students paying £9, 000 a year.
Maybe this year we can have more presence at Game City. (Or other conventions)
A stall informing potential students what we do. 
With some of the best examples of student artwork. 


There are a lot of key figures trying to push for a more computer literate educational system. 


http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-02-01-livingstone-hope-recommends-sweeping-changes-to-uk-games-education

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-04-21-autodesk-issues-livingstone-hope-call-to-action-article

If we can spread awareness of our course and the industry it is geared towards we can only benefit from the attention. :) 


Maybe an article in http://www.gameindustry.biz/ about the course? 

At this stage, I can't think of a practical solution but I hope what I have said can be of use.

Self Portrait - Acrylic on Canvas
Inspired by Eward Hopper

Elements of Game Design Part 4: Environment

I recently played 'Splinter Cell: Conviction' by Ubisoft. 
The first level is set in Malta, in the city of 'Valletta' to be exact. 


(1:45 onwards)



Watch these videos and study the architecture around Sam.

Actually when I first noticed this environment, I wasn't playing. It was Inez.

I was on my PC, writing. It was only when I looked over to the TV and noticed the buildings and the streets, that I realised it was Malta because I have been there, once, on a college trip. 

Me - "Holy sh*t! Is this level in Malta or something?" 

Inez - "Yeah, that's right" 

Me - "Whereabouts in Malta? Is it Valletta?" 

Inez - "Yep" "How did you know that" 

Me - "I've been to Valletta, Is there a Port or a Harbour behind you?" 

Inez - "There is!" 

Me - "Wow, that is freaky" "Someone's done their homework" 

It was something like that, I may have cursed more. I realised that I was going to be completely distracted now because of this discovery. There was only one sensible course of action. 

I had to turn off my PC and take notice of this game. 

This is the Level Design for The Marketplace in Valletta. 
It is a very short stage, basically a corridor design. 
What disguises you from this are the obstacles placed before you and the clever use of low lighting (Only a few areas are lit up).


In this instance you are compelled to go forth. Being channelled forwards by the story line and the construction of the level. 


In other games, such as 'Borderlands' and 'Fallout 3', you roam wherever you choose. (As long as you are equipped to handle it) ;D
We know this as an 'Open World' game environment.


These games differ from Splinter Cell because you are not playing an established character, you are playing as an empty vessel. You determine what kind of player you want to be. 


In Sam Fisher's case, he has to find out the truth about his daughter. Each stage is constructed to direct the plot forwards. 


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When you look at the image below doesn't it just direct your attention straight ahead? 
The placement of the tables and chairs on your right, present an obstacle to avoid. 
The presence of a wall on your left gives you no alternative route, plus it's littered with people. 
Even the road markings and the buildings themselves creates lines of direction. 
This is an essential technique for Level Design. 

When you find yourself here -
Look at the people on your right, sitting at the tables.
Some of them are staff from Ubisoft Dev Team :)

The designer has to consider any dynamic action in the level that could cause the player to become disorientated and confused. If there are too many things in the environment, the player will become frustrated. Everything must be composed to maximise the gameplay and the atmosphere of the setting.


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As with most games you acquire devices (or skills) to help you navigate through approaching perils and obstacles. 
In Sam Fisher's case he gains EMP Grenades, C4 Explosives , Sticky Cameras and a Snake Camera. In the first level he improvises a mirror in the absence of his Snake Cam. 

Each following stage makes use of these new additions to his arsenal. 
Alternatively you can usually approach the level from a different route to the same end. 


This is important in designing the challenge curve of a level. It should never be catered to one style of play. No one plays the same. 


One unique addition to this game is the projected 'objective text' upon the environment 

This helps maintain the 'flow' of the game so your never unsure what you should be doing and where you should be heading.

One thing I love about video games is that if you see a 'Red Barrel' you can guarantee that puppies going to blow up! It is a consistency that speaks to the player subconsciously. 
A common element helps tie-in the gameplay for the player.
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This probably annoyed Inez immensely when I watched her play through a 'Flash Back' level set in Diwaniya, Iraq. 


Me - "You know.....those red barrels will probably explode if you shoot them" 
Me - "You can kill those guys with just one shot" 
Inez - {-_-} "Really" 

Me - "Its red" "Red barrels always go Boom!"

Inez - "Ooh! That was cool!"
Me - "There is another red barrel there!" "And there!" "On the roof!" "Shoot! Shoot!" \{*u*}/
Inez - 'sigh' "Ok, shut up!" \{>-<}/
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(I'm trying to dig out my photos of the trip, but I've grabbed these images from http://www.virtualtourist.com
Just to give you a taste of what Maltese architecture looks like) 


Valletta, the capital city of Malta is a strange place to visit. Essentially it was designed as a fortification for Knights. 
The size of the stairs and streets were specifically designed to accommodate Knights in heavy armour.

St Julians - I believe I stayed in the right hand side
of this image, one of those big square hotels.

Auberge de Castille - Valletta
These were the Inns for the Knights of St John in the 16th Century

Okay, this image of Auberge de Castille illustrates Ubisoft's attention to detail. 
Notice the design of the windows and that every window has green blinds. If you have watched the videos above like I asked, then track the second vid to 3:58. 

Half of the windows you see in Valletta have blinds, green blinds. 
A majority of the doors are green too. (It may be some association with the Knights of The Green, I'm not sure)

In the 16th century Globigerina Limestone was used as the main construction material in Malta. That is what gives Valletta this sandy colour. Unfortunately it doesn't fare well against the sea breeze. 
It can corrode. 

Baroque style of architecture

Here we go - you can see these details within the first 10 seconds of this video.
Globigerina Limestone, green blinds and another detail I noticed on my stay there, lots of bin bags! They had streets lined with bin bags, very strange.

In my opinion, for this particular level the realism was high. 
Malta has a slight dusty feel it. And you can see this around the floor as you venture through the stage.

Although it is a relatively short stage in the game, it brought back memories of my trip instantly. 

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My memories of Malta are seeing lots of cranes and lots of cats. Everywhere.

I remember we were all walking down to the Harbour, taking in the sights, rounded a corner and it was like west side story of the cat world. 

We had obviously entered into a cat only zone. Honestly. It was a cul-de-sac of cats. 

I tried to play it cool and sit on the nearest wall, amongst the felines, ignoring the hissing and moans. 

No sooner had my cheeks touched the wall when the whole thing toppled over. 

Me and the cats went tumbling into the bushes. Good solid construction!

Needless to say we tore ass out of there!

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After longer exploration of the game, it is not my favourite level but it invoked an emotional response that I couldn't deny. 
It piqued my curiosity. 


Before I saw this level, I was going get around to playing this game over the summer, to see what Sam Fisher was up to. You see, I've only played the original Splinter Cell. 
But as soon as I realised the connection I had to the stage that Inez's was playing, I just had to see more of this game.

And it's good. It's a very tidy game. I have no idea why people don't enjoy it. 
A game can not stick to the same format when the main character has evolved (except Pokémon) it just wouldn't make sense! 


This guy is mad as hell and wants some answers. Of course he's going break down some doors! 
He can do stealth. But he can't always afford to wait in shadows. 
This gives the game a good balance in my opinion. And it adds to Sam's character development.

My photos are gone. An unfortunate victim to water damage, a real shame :(

Evidence of the British Empire

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Who do we have to thank for this great attention to detail? 


Well, these two guys list in their Linkedin profiles that they were the Level Designers for SC: Conviction - 


http://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastienguay


http://www.linkedin.com/in/jayarsenault


Here are the Developers describing elements of Level Design, Gameplay, Lighting, etc to Machinima.com -