Project P5 | Post-Apocalyptic Environment | Process
Jim Nijsen | SintLucas DDM2A | Project
This is a project we had to do in a small team of 4 students in total. We had to show something about our education/general gaming industry to high schoolers that are interested. For this we had to do research about the high schoolers, and think about a concept/project that might be appealing to them.
Research
For this project we had to do tons of research beforehand. We searched about what could be appealing to high schoolers invested in game art/gaming in general. Eventually we made a mood board about all sorts of things that they might find appealing.
As you can see, we decided to look beyond game art like social media, movies and series and talents. Out of this we made a 'persona', which is a made up person that could be identified as someone within our target audience. From here on out we started brainstorming about what could be appealing to that person.
A mindmap we thought about.
Eventually we thought about a post apocalyptic/culture scene. Then we thought about: what culture could be cool to add to this project? Eventually we decided to go with the Japanese culture since we know a lot of people who are interested in their culture.
Eventually our feedback was that this isn't proven to be how it actually is, so we decided to hand out a survey about art and culture. Sadly we didn't get enough answers in time so we had to stick around with the concept we first had.
We thought about a color scheme that could fit this post apocalyptic scene and eventually made one that we all thought would be cool.
It contains both cold and warm colors for a good contrast. We also thought that green could represent nature and the warm orange a fire. Eventually we partially shifted from this color scheme because I had a better idea while designing an environment.
I wanted to include at least something ruined/burned down in the final environment. After this I started on drawing 4 thumbnails that could be used for the finished illustration.
After drawing these thumbnails I let everyone vote for one or two thumbnails they like the most. Everyone loved the first thumbnail and that's when I started working on the actual illustration. I started adding more detail and slowly working away the sketch. Then started to slowly implement more colors.
This was how the drawing looked like when I was ready to pass it on to the other students for them to sketch their parts. I liked the overall vibe of the drawing, it looks dark and burned down. I continued refining the piece and adding rain, when I suddenly thought: maybe it could be cool if I added a little more background story to this drawing. Instead of the illustration looking like it had just been drawn right after the apocalypse, maybe it could be better if it got drawn after some days. Indicating that hard times will end sooner or later. This is where I added a sunset scene to the environment. After some finishing touches and filters I was done.
The others were amazed by this result and quickly decided it was a great environment for the project itself. After this, the others finished their parts and it was time to put everything together. As last, I added the final touches (like glow) to get everything to fit together and the end result was finished.
Extra
During the time the other students were working on their parts, I had some additional time to work on something else. I chose to spend this time on making cool designs for stickers that I eventually printed out.
Evaluation
Personal goals I worked on during this project:
- Doing enough research.
- I give my ideas and ask questions.
- I am open for compromises
- I reflect on this collaboration.
- Asking myself if this information is relevant to the target audience.
- After enough research I made a fitting concept.
- Assigning the right assignments for the others in my group (as the team's project leader)
- Asking for feedback and applying once it fits the project.
What I could improve next time:
- Planning the process.
- Communication.
We encountered minor issues at the end of the period. We hadn't finished everything yet on the day that it has to be presented, which wasn't a smart thing to do. This was mainly because of planning and miscommunication. Luckily we had to present as last which gave us enough time to work on it during the break and present it. The communication also lacked during the time when we had to think about what we want to present. It all became clear to what we wanted to do a couple weeks after we should've known it.
If you're amazed by this project or wanting to see some of my other artworks, you could follow my Instagram: dextacy.art
