Brief 1 - Intro to the Themes.

I was really looking forward to what this module had in store for me, and after the first week I've only got more hyped up over it. We did a simple bouncing ball tutorial and worked with simple animation in 3DS Max and I felt like I had learned a lot. (Sounds a little crazayy..) But, this blog is about my briefs!

Brief One will be more focused on Rigid Body structures compared to Soft Body (Characters, in Brief 2...) and our themes consisted of: Steampunk, Futuristic Weapons, Cartoon Vehicles, and Product Assembly.

While we looked at some examples of each type, I started to create some ideas of my own for the two themes that were standing out most: Futuristic Weapons and Steampunk!

Approaching this brief I want to have a more varied start before narrowing down a certain path, compared to the past where I have one idea and I focus in on it without thought for anything else. Over the past week I feel it has helped me a fair bit with various concepts which I want to discuss below. Preparation for Week 3's presentation...

Steampunk
This theme took my interest mostly. I love the steampunk style of weaponry, and I see a lot of cosplays that fit in with this. I love the emotion you can get from this theme. I really enjoy seeing different peoples concepts on it. What they can create from how they see that particular scene.

I wanted to get a specific.. Rustic, complex look but simple feel? To my ideas around the steampunk theme but I don't feel that I quite captured that. Looking back, maybe I'm trying to think too deeply into it. I should try some more research before I finalise my idea. My initial sketches didn't strike me with the typical Steampunk feel so I think I'll try to research some more into the mechanics before I give up on this idea.

For the Steampunk, I liked the idea of Steampunk Animals, like clockwork. A hummingbird, a horse or a feline of sorts seemed to have captured my mind here. Vehicles didn't bring a lot to mind, unfortunately because I would have enjoyed trying to concept for the 3 themes, so I had more to choose from.

I also wanted to try and combine the first and second idea together: A Steampunk Futuristic Weapon? Not sure how exactly that works...

In terms of general weapons, I loved the idea of a Bow, or a Gun, mixed with metal and wooden steampunk styles. I have a few concepts that I can post up when I get my scanner back! :(

Futuristic Weapons
The first thing people think of for this topic is usually.. Guns. Moving turrets and little.. Scuttling creatures that lock on and fire on demand without much human input. Mass war without any effort, isn't that exciting...

But, whenever I saw this note I was immediately reminded of the RWBY series by Rooster Teeth's Monty Oum (RIP Monty, Keep Moving Forward <3). Red White Black Yellow, is an anime series in which each character has their own unique weapon. Rifles that turn into a Scythe. Gauntlets that can fire bullets at a reflex trigger. A rapier with integrated magic that's in tune with it's users emotions. A shotgun Hammer. There's so many! I love the series with all my heart.

I would love, LOVE to recreate the Rifle Scythe in RWBY. It's an absolute dream and I have so many ideas I would love to put into it! However, with the recent passing of Monty I want to respect his work so I need to think of another way around the Rifle Scythe and how it would transform and trigger.

Aside from the Scythe, the idea of a Bow also seemed interesting. Hawkeye's bow would be a great example here. He can flick it out to a full size ready for use any time anywhere. Convenient and practical. Nice.

Product Assembly
This was an interesting theme, when I looked at it in a bit more depth. Something that shows how technical your skills can get. I feel a Product Assembly brief would literally be like a show reel. Showing off how good you are, nothing wrong with that.. (We all need a bit more confidence!)

However, I didn't feel like this was the theme for me. It doesn't really fit in with my style of things, but it definitely would be interesting and it wont stop me trying a few concepts that's for sure!

Cartoon Vehicles
I have no idea at all how to even start with this particular theme. Not a clue! I've been trying to avoid this one as much as possible. The idea of how wise spread it can be and my lack of interest in vehicles just made it into a quick 'Nope' topic. Sorry Mitsubishi!

If I had to come up with an idea I would love to do something like a modern or futuristic Trojan Horse from that old Greek story of war in Troy. Otherwise... Nothing. :(


Well, that's the introduction. I have some ideas to concept out before I choose my final path. I'll post up some separate posts with quick sketch pages for my ideal themes... 

Watch this Space~