wall experiment

I haven't created all that much using Mudbox and I feel that my skills in texturing and normal mapping need improving so I created this small piece of broken wall as an experiment. It ended up looking much better than I expected but there are plenty of mistakes I made that I will know to avoid next time (for example I used pinch too much and distorted some of the polygons).

I also feel my confidence in texturing has already improved somewhat just because its something I usually put off for as long as I can, but I actually had a lot of fun on this experiment.

Virtual Reality Research

I got out a book today by Jennifer Whyte called "Virtual Reality: and the built environment" the book addresses a lot of interesting issues with virtual reality, how it has developed, why it is useful to businesses, what sort of future there could be in businesses using virtual reality (considering the book was written 11 years ago that future maybe soon).

I am very interested in the idea of using virtual reality to help display buildings before they are built, 3D art or even to show off a new product, and with new technology like the 'Oculus Rift' the ideas put across in this book are more relevant than ever. There are many possibilities with using the rift to show off all sorts of products before they are made, I believe people can have a much better idea if something is good or not if they can physically see it infront of them and perhaps even interact with it. hopefully after reading the book further I will be able to judge how I should proceed with my research.

Another possible environment is Amsterdam, I was led on to the Netherlands again by the theme of sea levels rising and flooding the city. the city itself is visually stunning and also has beautiful architecture as well as a history of excellent art that could prove inspirational.

The city was established in the 13th century making it around 900 years younger than Venice and therefore lacking the same history but with further research I will decide which environment is best suited.

At the minute I feel Amsterdam is too kind a city, it would be easier for me to create a utopia rather than a dystopia and considering my themes are usually highlighting the brutality of mankind a dystopian environment would inspire me more.

. 2013. . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.greendigitalcharter.eu/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Amsterdam_photo-city1.jpg. [Accessed 02 October 2013].

. 2013. . [ONLINE] Available at: http://blog.utrip.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Amsterdam-Canal.jpg. [Accessed 02 October 2013].

. 2013. . [ONLINE] Available at:http://static.hothdwallpaper.net/517f1cd92845a66175.jpg. [Accessed 02 October 2013].

Initial sketches of assets and perspective drawings, set in a dystopian Venice

I really like Venice as a setting for the piece, it seems ideal for at least 3 reasons:

1. There isn't really anywhere else like Venice in the world
2. The classical architecture is both extremely interesting and quite duplicatable
3. There are some really interesting themes that I could play with (e.g. sea levels rising and Venice being submerged)

I recently visited Venice and it was then that I was really interested by the idea of the new upon the old, because of all the new additions, sculptures bridges that almost look out of place in such an iconic city.

I will be watching some films based in Venice such as "don't look now", and "the merchant of Venice".

. 2013. . [ONLINE] Available at: http://nexttriptourism.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Venice-Bridge.jpg. [Accessed 01 October 2013].

. 2013. . [ONLINE] Available at:http://images.betterphoto.com/0721/0705210137261-0269.jpg. [Accessed 01 October 2013].

. 2013. . [ONLINE] Available at:http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02385/rialto-woman_2385888k.jpg. [Accessed 01 October 2013].

Plan of Action for Thursday 3rd:
-Find lots of useful journals and books and construct a rough reading list
-refine my idea through mind maps
-keep sketching and researching possible visual styles

Aims and Objectives

Research Domain:

-games

-3D art and design

-storytelling (maybe)

Topic:

-The design and production of an immersive game level

Aim:

-To create a highly polished 3d level that is a linear immersive player experience focusing on exploring the use of light, sound, composition and staging, to convey an appropriate mood and the meaning behind the piece.

Objectives:

1. Examine existing literature, journals, magazines, websites, and games that are relevant to the subject matter and will help me improve my knowledge about the level design process.

2. Review books on social trends, architecture and art, to better inform the context of my piece.

3. Explore new 3D and level design techniques, to both improve my skills and increase my knowledge in the subject.

4. Design and create a highly polished 3D level that conveys a feeling and tells a story.