Week 8

This week I focused on beginning the 3D block-out for Genevieve in Maya. Since I’m new to the software, my main goal was to understand how to use primitive shapes and the move/scale/rotate tools to capture the character’s proportions. Starting from a low-poly base made it easier to tweak the overall silhouette before worrying about details.

One of the first challenges was interpreting the 2D concept into a 3D model. In the production bible, Genevieve’s hat is very wide and droopy, resembling a mushroom cap. When I tested this in 3D, it looked unbalanced from certain angles, so I reduced the brim width slightly while keeping the overall shape to preserve the character’s charm. 

Through this process I started to appreciate the difficulty of translating stylised drawings into workable topology. Communicates the overall shape language of the concept. Even without textures or details, I can already see the contrast between the structured Art Deco forms and the organic mushroom inspiration coming together.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 10

This week was about polishing Genevieve’s details and preparing the model for texturing and posing. focused on refining smaller features such as the feather boa, hat folds, and dress edges. I used Maya’s Insert Edge Loop and Soft Selection tools to adjust curves and improve the character's overall form. Although our plan included adding textures, most of our attention stayed on modelling until late in the process. I kept the UVs simple so materials could be applied quickly later. Our group checked scale consistency between the character and vehicle and created a shared colour reference using palette images from the production bible. Finally, to be presented on the turntable clip, I started rigging the character.
Read more

Week 9

This week I refined character model by improving the edge flow and cleaning up the topology. Switching between low-poly mode by pressing "1" and smooth preview by pressing "3" helped me see how the forms would hold up during rendering. The face took the most time. The production bible describes Genevieve as cheerful and slightly mischievous so I tried my best to capture that through her eyes, but the finer detailing proved difficult. Throughout the week, I kept checking my model next to my group mate’s vehicle to ensure they matched stylistically. The clean, curved flow of the hull lines influenced how I shaped the character’s dress and hat. By the end of the week, the model felt cohesive and expressive. The next step was preparing for posing and adding final details before the turnaround render.
Read more

Reflections on Everyday Design

Image
  Blog Post: Design of the Toaster Today, I’m reflecting on the design of a common household object. The toaster. It's a great example of functional design that balances form and purpose. What I Like About the  Design:  Simplicity  and Minimalism :  The toaster’s design is clean and minimal. The smooth curves and plain white surface blend well with most kitchen settings. It doesn’t call attention to itself but looks tidy. Overall, I appreciate this toaster for how it works and for how it integrates into everyday life, making it almost an essential household appliance. Good design doesn’t always have to mean flashy aesthetics. It can also mean making something that works well, feels intuitive, and quietly adds to day to day use.
Read more