Personal Research Studies
Poster Research Presentation at UCLan
This provided an oppportunity to speak to fellow students in the design field, speaking to various people regarding their research, methods and designs they used and how they came about their topics. This led to deciding on a topic that enabled me to have more of a passion and interest. As previously with the app although it was interesting, really didn't spark the passion I was looking for. The drawing aspect was the main reason I ran with it, and having a background in Education seemed fitting at the time. Through meeting with Angie Thompson and Mark Edmund Parkinson it was clear their passion in the field had led them to be successful and still enjoying their chosen occupation.
As a learning curve from speaking with the above people, I put together a list of questions that could be tweaked at the time of discussions with Adam and Tracey below. Even though I had prepared various questions I feel they could have been better prepared and more specific. Not knowing at the time how the application idea would pan out it left a few questions unanswered by the interviews.
The questions that I put together are shown below:
- · Have you always wanted to work in this industry with this skill set?
- · Aside from work projects that are given to you do you create any characters for your own purposes? Such as to build your own portfolio or skills, for fun, passion, etc.
- · When creating a character, where does your inspiration come from?
- · Do you have any processes that you think assists you in creating characters?
- · Is the story important to have a basis for the character before you design, or does it work the other way around?
- · Can you recommend any other designers who may fit into this topic?
Obviously this list wasn't exhaustive, but gave an initial starting point to ensure I was obtaining all the relevant information,
Adam Vickerstaff - Contact through Facebook
Adam was a chef long before deciding to change careers to become a 3D artist. Even took a huge step to do so by selling his house to finance his BA Honours. Adam is now a 3D Artist and has previously worked at Sony's Evolution Studios on Motorstorm DLC and Motorstorm Pacific Rift and taught 3D at colleges. Adam currently works at Secret Sorcery as an Object Artist. (Recent note: He has taken the leap into self empliyment to concentrate on his own projects)
I contacted Adam through Facebook after recommendation from a friend. I shared with him information of what I had gathered and where I felt the project was taking me, and he too declared he was also guilty of creating the more alluring female character.
Adam specified he was interested in all types of character art, but was lucky enough to have a job in the games industry doing what he enjoys. Though in the future would like to work in film as he has noticed some great work from artists who have transfered back and forth between industries easily due to their skills.
When discussing his projects he highlighted he spends his evenings on his projects and highlighted the need to continue practising now matter how good you are, as you need to keep on top of new technology which is always being produced to keep relevant.
I gathered numerous ideas and gained few names to research their work, however it was at the opposite end of the research, looking at artists who over sexualise females. Such as Stalberg and Jon Troy Nickle. This could be looked into the reason why at a later date.
Tracey Maden - Liverpool College
Tracey is currently a lecturer at Liverpool College, and is freelance
2D, 3D Artist Animator and Author. Tracey has had the privilege of having Sony,
RockStar, THQ and Bioware as some of her clients, working on projects such as;
Mass Effect and Grand Theft Auto IV.
Throughout the discussion with Tracey it was clear to see
her passion and drive, as even though she is currently teaching, her creations
are present in the numerous projects underway, including commissioned art work
and creating characters to illustrate her book cover.
When asking Tracey about how important a background story
was to the character design itself, Tracey mentioned that personally she didn’t
acquire the need for a story in creating characters but when animations were
done it aided in knowing their characteristics of the character as this would
interpret how they may walk.
Talking about her inspiration for character creation, Tracey
mentioned movies, though most of her inspiration is from novels as she is an
avid reader. In reflection to my research the story is of a strong female robot
character, it may be beneficial considering if the character will be animated
or even if a background story would assist.
Tracey recommended getting in touch with Daniel Ramirez a
Lead Character artist at Big Red Button Entertainment.
Research Reflection taken from Assignment DE4201
Initially speaking with lecturer Mark, it was great to be
able to discuss ideas and get an art teachers perspective on an educational
game application. Whilst this is not being researched into further I have made
a connection in the Fine Arts department and can utilise this for drawing
techniques and pointers.
Having played computer games and found a passion for drawing
as a young child I have come to realise it plays a huge role in my life, one
that gathers such strong emotions within not only myself but in my
children. Over the years of gaming, my
selection of characters has always been male. This was due to the armor and
weapons and not wanting to be identified as a female within the gaming
community, but a ‘good player’.
This research has ultimately led to a realisation of passion
for drawing and game characters rather than mobile/tablet applications. Even
though I partake in games through these methods it’s a way of relaxation and
escapism as realised from Jim’s lecture and even if education is not filtering
into this topic as hoped, it may educate people on how female characters are
portrayed.
Through the meetings and works explored when networking I
was initially disheartened as I was slowly regretting the path I had chosen
with an art application for tablets. This only became truly clear after I met
with Angie in Ormskirk. I was reassured that I had made the right decision with
Jane-Elizabeth’s lecture. Even though the change I made wasn’t as drastic as
changing specialism, I was afraid that I had decided this too late, but was
quickly reassured by the passion that shone through. Jane-Elizabeth’s lecture
resonated highly with myself due to her passion for research and tailoring to a
subject that is personal to her.
Jane-Elizabeth also highlighted the need for networking,
although I know various people this prompted me to create a Linked-In profile
and contact people such as Tracey, who recommended further concept artists to
get in touch with to further the research as did Adam. Understandably,
networking will assist my career in teaching and keeping in touch with people
in the industry will improve my knowledge for students who are wishing to follow
in their footsteps with the ability to possibly get some experience in the
industry in the future myself.
Collaborating with people as the Brothers McCleod did by working
together on projects is also necessary, this way you can concentrate on your strengths
which was backed up by Claire’s discussion and findings through Illuminosity.
Attending the poster presentation for the full-time postgraduates enabled me to
introduce myself to numerous people and talk about their research and design
work, that normally I wouldn’t have the chance to do.
Candy’s lecture heightened my awareness of software and
keeping up to date with technology, as a lecturer and parent it is difficult to
juggle time to be able to sit and keep practising in your own area, to set your
own boundaries rather than letting the technology set boundaries for you.
Within my topic I am now looking at developing the character in 3D modelling
software as currently I only get to do the basics with students.
Contacting Adam provoked many ideas and concepts to try and
promote my own designs, such as mood boards, further networking with character
designers in the industry and to consider the story behind the character.
Most importantly from all the discussions and lectures, now
is the time to start producing sketches/drawings and not just concentrating on
the research.
