Learning Agreement

1.Proposal

What?

I plan to develop a concept for a game plot and world and design several character concepts. Along with designing the characters and setting I will produce some final concept paintings. I would like to improve my skills in character design and anatomy. I also want to produce a final concept piece that is animated using After Effects. During the previous project I enjoyed the results that can be achieved in After Effects and I aim to develop my understanding of the program, I think this will be very beneficial to my future studio work.

Why?

Story telling is a fundamental element of video game design and I would like to research and draw influence from ancient mythology as I find it fascinating that story telling has been able to pass these stories through generations. I would like to pay particular attention to Scandinavian mythology because I feel I know the least about it and think it would be most interesting to learn about. I am also interested by the naturalistic themes and imagery in these stories. In my concept I aim to portray the relationship between humans and animals and how this has changed throughout history. I think in the past people held a great respect for nature and maybe this is something which has changed over the last few decades with a lot of species of animal facing extinction and pollution and industry threatening a lot of nature and its wildlife.

I would also like to learn more about my chosen specialism, I believe my strengths and passion lie in 2D concept designs and would like the opportunity to improve in this area.

How?

I will achieve these intentions by studying Scandinavian Mythology and choosing which elements I wish to include in my concept. I will also look at spiritual links between animals and humans including the idea that some animals represent certain human characteristics and personalities. I aim to improve my skills in Photoshop and After Effects. As I am already fairly competent with Photoshop I am going to focus mainly on learning how to use After Effects.

2. Assessment Work

In accordance with the assessment objectives I will be working at identifying my strengths, which I believe to be character design and 2D concepts, and improving upon them. I also want to improve my skills in programs such as Photoshop and After Effects.
I will be producing for assessment a range of character concepts going from initial concept to finalised concept paintings showing the characters in an environment. I aim to design the main protagonist and 2 supporting characters, including weapons.  I will produce a piece of final concept art which shows all the characters in an environment which I will animate using After Effects to make more dynamic.

I will be submitting the following for assessment:

Character Sheets

Finalised concept paintings of character in environments

Animated piece of concept art.