403 Module Update #11 - Showreel

Greetings!

Since the twelve principles are learned, it's time to show off my own work using each principle. Some of the later ones use previous principles as well.

In retrospect, I'd pay more attention to linework and model consistency on any of the fully lined/coloured work, however for most I used just simple sketches to merely show the idea of the principle. For the most cartoony of the characters, I'd use much more exaggerated movement and extend the use of each principle to fully push the limits of what can be done in animation.

401 Module Update #8

Character Design Exploration #7 - Hriva

Early on in the process of character design, I essentially broke down aspects of my own character as base aspects of my list of characters to build on. The first characteristics I came to were my need to please other people, and my underlying senses of frustration at everything. The first became Tasha, and the second became Hriva. From that, I built the characteristics of Hriva, but at the design stage, I wondered how she would look. What would her species be? Who would she have been before and after the apocalypse? I have quite some knowledge on Norse mythology, so I decided to make her a Valkyrie, and from that, previous to the apocalypse, a goth (since Valkyries are orientated around death). After the apocalypse, she fits into being a strategist, since Valkyries are also linked to battle.

401 Module Update #7

Character Design Exploration #6 - Brear

I decided early on to use a Selkie as Brear's species, since Selkies are predominantly depicted as female. I liked the idea of merging some aspects of other marine mythology, such as sirens and merpeople, so Brear has the upbeat, carefree attitudes often shown in merpeople and the love of music/song sirens are known for. Stemming from this, Brear is the entertainer of the group who performs music and keeps the group's attitude up.

I also liked the idea of instead of having a seal coat that the Selkie uses to transform, the seal form has a ghost-like daemon form that Brear can transform into

401 Module Update #6

Character Design Exploration #5 - Dracsahr

I wanted to explore what an urban fantasy asexual character would be like. What kind of creature could they be? What would they do in a post-apocalyptic world in which ideas around sex would be a complete mixed bag of old and new views? Would they be more restrained or liberated by such a world? I decided to go for a small design pun in making the character a succubus, a demonic creature that takes people's energy/souls through sex, so made their general figure smaller and thinner in stature since they have no interest in where their species would get their power from.

I took much of the exploration in the horns, as I already had a general idea of the facial structure being triangular. Eventually I decided on a ram-like structure. 

I then created the character itself. What would this person do to gain power in place of sex? The first thing I thought was food, thus, Dracsahr was an aspiring chef before the apocalypse and continues to be the group's cook.

401 Module Update #5

Character Design Exploration #4 - Eraax

I looked at a general collection of identities students (especially high school students, as this is the age range of the characters when the apocalypse hit) like to fall into. One that I thought would be interesting to emulate in the genre is the nerd character. Eraax is a fantasy fan and loves playing Dungeons & Dragons, which gives them a very good understanding of planning ahead and organising a team, making them suitable for an advisory position in the group.

I looked at how being a gargoyle would impact that, such as a stockier build, smaller wings (making flight more difficult), and tougher skin, making shoes rather unnecessary. There also wasn't as much exploration in design, as I already had an idea what I wanted them to look like.

401 Module Update #4

• Completed a list of breakdown notes for each source to later write out each source into legible written work
• Written out all the source references

Character Design Exploration #3 - Dawn
I initially looked at how being fae in an urban fantasy world would work and how that would influence how she would fit into a post-apocalyptic world. Fae are closely linked with nature and are usually depicted in surrealism, so Dawn being somewhat of a botanist/herbalist and growing plants for medicinal and recreational use made much sense for the character.

In addition, Fae are also linked to seduction and temptation, so it was interesting to rework that into Dawn being pansexual and smoking marijuana fairly frequent.

401 Module Update #3

• Changed the number of characters
• Deleted Gurukk to save time
• Collected a number of sources to use in the main written work

Character design exploration #2 - Brivar

Started with some basic design exploration. Who would he have been before the end of the world to suffice his skillset so he could be a soldier-type protector of the group? How would urban fantasy work with him and his identity? 

I narrowed it down to a high school football jock, which would give him strength, speed, and a general stocky build, as well as a rudimentary ability to organise and plan attacks and work in a team.