25/01/2016 - First Build

Week 02

First Build

Below is my first build, here I have taken the preset first person template and I have managed to remove the gun and arms along with the environment. I have circled each key menu with a different colour to make explaining what I have managed today easier.

I am not completely sure what the red menu does, I believe (based on the term "outliner" from Maya) that it simply displays all the items in my scene. The orange menu is used for adjusting any particular item in the scene, like changing its material or physical properties. The blue menu is where all my assets will be when I bring them into Unreal later in the project. I can simply click and drag assets into the Unreal view port. I'm not too sure what is going on in the pink bit, as far as I'm aware, its for creating quick assets inside Unreal itself like simple cubes and spheres. 

Hopefully by next week I will have started proper research into my theme...either Aboriginal or Aztec themed narrative. 

14/01/2016 - Initial Moodboards

Week 01

Initial Moodboards

Below are my moodboards for the four historical topics I am considering for my project. The idea behind doing these is to give me a general feel for each of the four topics to hopefully help me to pick the most rich culture that suits me.

Aborigines

I do not own these images or hold the copyright for them, they have been purely put together in this moodboard for educational purposes.

Aztecs

I do not own these images or hold the copyright for them, they have been purely put together in this moodboard for educational purposes.

 Celts

I do not own these images or hold the copyright for them, they have been purely put together in this moodboard for educational purposes.

 Persian

I do not own these images or hold the copyright for them, they have been purely put together in this moodboard for educational purposes.

After doing these I am still insure as to which i'll choose but I hope that by next week I will be settled on my idea and be onto designing my visual environment.

12/01/2016 - Brief Research

Week 01

Brief Research

This post is dedicated to my research into what topics I could look at for the four briefs.

Memory

I have not got any memories I can think of for this brief but it's been hinted by the lecturer that I could combine the abstract elements from this particular brief and mix it in with the theme of another.

History

Aztecs

One possible avenue fro this project is the Aztec empire and their culture. Two interesting points to explore would be when the Aztecs were a flourishing civilization where they were very ceremonial and decorative of their power and wealth, and the aftermath of the conquistadors (Spanish invasion) and interesting thing to explore would be the mass use if jade and obsidian to decorate various aspects of their lives but also I would be able to use their hieroglyphic language as another means for designing the environment.

Celts

The British Celtic culture is another topic that I could explore. They have littered our landscapes with their symbols and they have stood the ultimate test of time. This would be a good point of reference for my environment. They lived in relatively small communities spread out across Europe, this sparseness is something I would consider using as a base for the environment.

Aborigine

Aboriginal culture is my third possible topic for this brief. I don't have much previous knowledge of aboriginal culture but I like the look of their art and I will explore this option like all the rest.

Persia

My last possible topic for this brief is the Persian empire and their culture. their would be plenty of architecture to draw influence from for this project and they also have a rich heritage of art and sculpting.

Final Thoughts

After reading into each category more, I have come to the conclusion that a visual environment based on history but with abstract elements is the way forward for me, for the rest the week I aim to have research into my possible subjects matters done in the form of moodboards and reading will hopefully sparks ideas for environments. I hope to have my final idea sorted for next weeks class to then begin my technical research/planning.

11/01/2016 - Initial Plan

Week 01

Spatial Constructs

This module is, in a nut shell, "design and present an expressive virtual environment." I can choose to do this in 2D or 3D, For the purpose of helping my professional project I will be choosing 3D because I also have more of a background with it.

There are four key general project briefs, Below is a copy and paste from the lecture's notes on the four project briefs available to us. 

Memory

Create a virtual environment inspired by your memories of a space in time. Consider how memories can often be selective and imperfect, how the time period could be represented through visual-audio design, and how your own experience may have shaped your perception of space.

This brief would suit students who are keen to explore the aesthetics of virtual spaces, including expressive art and audio and thoughtful use of interaction.

History

Create a virtual environment that represents a historical event or time period. Consider the accuracy of the environment, and how historical records and research can be used to support the creation of an authentic space.

This brief would suit students who are keen to explore the potential educational value of virtual spaces, and who have an interest in historical research and interactive documentaries.

Adaptation

Create a virtual environment that is a digital adaptation of an existing work of published literature. The existing work of literature should be a novel, play, or poem. Aim to select a critically acclaimed piece of literature, and consider how a virtual environment might engage with and communicate the narrative themes of the original work.

This brief would suit students who are keen to research the design of narratives for interactive virtual spaces, and who would be prepared to adapt written texts into appropriate scripted interactions.

Reproduction

Recreate a famous scene shown in film or television. Your goal should be to faithfully translate the scene into a virtual environment, and as such you will have to consider how you will research the original work and develop accurate art assets.

This brief would suit students who are keen to develop their technical art and design skills, as the brief would require students to produce detailed and accurate 3D models, 2D images, materials, and lighting.

Initial Plan

My initial plan for my first week on this module is to research and investigate possible areas of interest for each of the four briefs so that I can choose the idea I am most drawn to and then proceed with another plan in relation to what technical aspects I need to accomplish this brief.