This week I have been working on some basic character designs based on our story.
Because the character needs to water the trees, I thought he might need to look like a gardener or a horticulturist.
So I referenced a lot of workers’ looks.
I think the workwear and the strappy trousers are the key to the character.
I also added a few different outfits for my group to choose from.
And of course the different colour schemes were important.
Does a satisfying ending in a game, film or novel mean that the work is absolutely good? This is a controversial topic, as people’s definitions of ‘satisfying’ and ‘good’ can vary.
For some people, a good work requires an absolute ending, which means that all problems are solved, all threads are accounted for, and all characters have a logical conclusion. Such absolutes can leave the audience feeling satisfied and reassured.
However, for others, a good production does not necessarily need an absolute ending. Some productions may leave some suspense or open-ended endings at the end, which can stimulate the audience’s imagination and thinking. Such an ending can also give the piece more depth and keep the audience thinking and coming back for more.
After much discussion in our group, we came to the unanimous answer that it was impossible to do the story we had come up with in a month’s time.
So we changed direction and decided to go for a simple story, but with good graphics and effects.
Our new story is about a little girl/boy (not sure yet) who plants a tree and eventually the tree grows and its fruit is stars. It sounds like a fairy tale but has a very simple moral – you reap what you sow.
The challenge now is to establish the style and how to present the final star effect.
We had a lot of interesting stories after our first discussion.
Because our topic is cause and effect, there will be a lot of storytelling.
This week I’ve tried to do some basic setups for my story.
At the same time I experimented with some styles.
Of course it is likely that I will not use these styles.
Considering that the final completion of the whole project will most likely depend on me.
I’m going to go for a simpler style.
In my dissertation last semester, I had considered three directions regarding：
I finally chose the third one, when there was no better idea at the moment. I’ll probably start with some of the previous ideas.But I will think differently by researching some of the resources.
We formed a team with a fellow VFX student. This time we worked on the topic of causality/butterfly effect.
We discussed a lot of plots and some interesting settings, but had to abandon them due to time constraints and production difficulties. In the first meeting we didn’t get a clear conclusion.
Pile” is an award-winning experimental animation created by Toby Auberg. The animation depicts a heap of various objects that keep piling up and moving around in a seemingly chaotic and abstract manner. The animation is created in black and white hand-drawn style, accompanied by a unique soundscape that adds to its mesmerizing effect.
Throughout the video, the objects in the pile continuously morph and merge into different shapes and forms. It’s interesting to note that, despite their random and abstract nature, these objects always seem to have a certain logic and structure to their movements. The soundscape, consisting of various textures and tones, is used creatively to enhance the visual experience and the sense of motion in the animation.
One of the main themes that can be observed in “Pile” is the concept of transformation and change. The constantly shifting and evolving pile of objects can be interpreted as a metaphor for life and the natural process of growth and transformation. The animation may also suggest the idea of complexity emerging from simplicity, as individual objects merge together to form more intricate structures.
Furthermore, the animation can be seen as a commentary on the relationship between order and chaos. While the objects in the pile initially seem to be in a state of disorder and randomness, there is a certain level of order and structure to their movements. This could be interpreted as a reflection on the way in which even seemingly chaotic systems can exhibit underlying patterns and logic.
Overall, “Pile” is a captivating and thought-provoking experimental animation that explores themes of transformation, complexity, and order. Through its use of hand-drawn visuals and sound, the animation creates a mesmerizing experience that invites viewers to contemplate the deeper meanings behind the ever-evolving pile of objects.
I would like to work in the field of animation or game design. Although I am an animation major, I am also interested in concept design and stylized work, so I would like to work in these areas.
I think that first of all I need to improve my proficiency in all kinds of conventional 3D software, but I also need a more diverse and differentiated aesthetic.
For my FMP, I will express my work through an animated short film. It will be presented in a combination of 2D and 3D, and I will try to incorporate some Chinese style into it.
For myself, the thesis and the practical work are two separate directions, and for the thesis research it will give me something to think about for my work. But it does not significantly affect my work.
From my own point of view, I am still very interested in the influence and development of costume on animation.
Topic:The impact of video/online games on people with social phobia
I’ve been thinking about the connection between video games and social anxiety. As a result of my research, I discovered that video games can often be beneficial in reducing social anxiety. Because of their oversensitivity, some teenagers are the most vulnerable to social phobia. It can be difficult to control the situation if interventions are made through online gaming or some form of online social interaction, and it may increase their risk of developing social phobia. The use of video games to treat social anxiety is a two-edged sword because it can be effective in treating social phobia. At the same time, it can aggravate symptoms in young people.