Although I've not been the best at keeping this blog up to date with my most current thoughts and progress on my project, it's appropriate to say that after crit week my project has had a change of direction, but not a complete change of heart. I've managed to channel the questions that intrigued and troubled me the most into a more suitable project.

Worrying about tackling the technical side of a technical artist was a great focus up to now, but I've always wondered - where does the "artist" of technical artist come into play? Why is it more suitable for a person with an artistic background (with a little bit of programming know-how) to be in this role rather than the reverse (a programmer who dabbles in art).

This could easily turn into some psychology project, but I'm going to steer it away less from the person and make it more about the role. What makes a technical artist? Why is it so diverse? Why is it so hard to define? Where can the technical artist express their arty side - the creative side? Is it purely about communication of ideas between groups? Can a technical artist be independent? Is it entirely a group effort role?

Now the characters I design will only be a vessel for showcasing my work, though it doesn't mean that detracts from their artistic integrity!

So watch this space while I update it with thoughts guiding me in my new direction. For now however, I better crack on with the work. Up and away!

Pitch Presentation

Feedback:

• Overall project looks promising and there is a lot in it.
• Research question and objectives well-laid out and give good direction. 
• Needs to be narrowed down a lot to a specific research field.
• Shaders could be an interesting and unexplored technical angle.
• Wording in the aim and objectives needs refining.
• "Character" too loose a term and needs to be defined. 
• Industry unsure - games or production?

Pitch presentation last week went well overall and I have a good start to my honours project. I need to understand and define and little more in my aim and objectives, as well as choose my words wisely. I agree with this and hopefully over the course of the next term this will all be amended.

I have uploaded the presentation and provided a link below:

Pitch Presentation (download link)

The two videos referenced in it are listed below.

Aims and Objectives

Took me a while to get there, but here is my aims and objectives 1.0

Project Aim:

  To investigate how character design affects the creation of convincing characters and examine the role of the technical artist in realising these credible characters. 

 

Objectives:

◦1. Research existing characters and deconstruct and identify the traits which aid in realising them.

◦2. Explore current industry skills and tools in technical art and examine and compare their uses.

◦3. Conduct a series of experiments utilising current technical art & animation skills to aid in the creation of convincing characters.

◦4. Develop and create a small range of characters using these techniques and analyse their success considering the role of a technical artist.

 

Welcome!

This blog will record all my thoughts, ideas, processes and concepts throughout my entire honours year project. It will show insight into the process from concept, to production to final piece.

Providing all goes well. ;)


Now - onwards to the content!