In My Mind: Character Design Ideas

So since the BA7 Final Project 1 submission, I've been thinking about ideas that surround my final concept art of the two main characters I've been working on.
I've had the following ideas suddenly appear in my head for a theme to base my concept art on, as I know I want a fantasy/futuristic/witchcraft setting, but don't have an overall theme for the characters to be placed in. Here is a list of several themes what I've been thinking of so far:

-Parallel World: A world that is based on anything and everything, no specific time frame in place or location, similar to the world in "A Series of Unfortunate Events" books by Lemony Snicket. It just remains a "mystery".

-Steampunk: Futuristic Victorian style-era that revolves around the Victorian Times. This would fit the theme of my game concept, but basing it entirely on Steampunk would be difficult and rather unoriginal, as this theme has been done thousands of times over.

"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc"

-Futuristic Medieval Witchcraft Era: This could be a split between of the witchcraft era of the Middle Ages, specifically European and a futuristic world, perhaps with a hint of steampunk or a parallel universe attached?

So far this is what I've been thinking hard on, as my heart is definitely set on something to do with the Victorian AND European Witchcraft era. If I can manage to fuse the two time periods and mix in several other aspects, this will fit my game concept characters perfectly.

Design Document Complete

Finally my design document is complete and I've researched into as many things as I possibly could to backup my game concept idea. A majority of the research that was going to be included in this blog is in my design document as it's more relevant and important. I'll continue posting more in depth once I recieve feedback from Unit BA7 and given the all clear to begin with the final piece of project work.

Concept Art Example: Character 1

Here is an example of a piece of concept art I did for one of the main characters wearing the fashion I've researched into for my design document. I've been practicing with my lineart and overall drawing style. So far I'm impressed and will continue to practice drawing better characters as well.

Example of Anatomy Study: Male Body

For Unit BA7, I've been looking into ways on how to improve my anatomy skills. Here is a piece of artwork I did based on a nude male model, it took around 15 minutes in Corel Painter. I worked at a fast past and after viewing this several times, I'm quite impressed with the results of my anatomy practice with the male figure. I'll go further into anatomy practice when Unit BA8 arrives and experiment around with colour theory, skintone tutorials etc.

Design Document: Game Theme [Witchcraft]

As my design document revolves around my game concept/characters, much of the research I've done for the research report also relates to the research done in my document. I find the characteristics of witches highly interesting, so within my design document I have aimed to make it completely about the main protagonists of my game concept and their relationship.

Inspiration Part 1

Here are some music videos I have found that have influenced my game concept design, particularly the theme, characters and storyline. To begin with, here is a theme from the horror/thriller film "The Ring". It's somewhat beautiful in an eerie way.





While working on my game design document, I was inspired by this music video dedicated to film "A Series of Unfortunate Events". For the back story to my characters. Their back story in my game concept is saddening, as they both lost their families to betrayal. This song hit a key note and means alot to my game concept.





This beautiful lullaby is from the dark and realistic fairytale film of "Pan's Labyrinth", another piece of music that happened to inspire the idea of my game concept characters.





"Johanna" from the musical film "Sweeney Todd" inspired the era for my game concept which is Victorian. Though this idea of part theme may change, I'll keep it grounded for now to give a basic idea of the overall "feel" of my concept.

Research Report Update

I've decided to write an 5,000 word extended essay for my research report. Orginally in my learning agreement I stated I would write a dissertation then changed it to a reflective report. Considering my choice of subject to research (history of witchcraft in the middle ages through to modern day) into for my research report involved deep historial theory, a reflective report seemed like the wise choice to cover it all. But in the end the subject itself was far too large to cover, so with the help from one of my tutors I have shortened down what I will be researching for the report only. So now I am working on an extended essay, and the subject of choice is how witches are portrayed in folklore & fiction.

Salem Witchcraft Research Material

I've found some really interesting & in depth articles on the Salem Witchcraft Trials that could be a useful for my research report AND game design document.

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/salem.htm "The Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692".

http://www.salemwitchmuseum.com/ "The Salem Witch Musuem".

http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/ "Salem Witch Trials".

Learning Agreement

This is my proposal for my learning agreement so far, though I may change it in the week:

In BA7 for my research report I have chosen to write a dissertation. Within my dissertation I have chosen to address in the thereotical theory of co-operative gameplay. I’m highly interested in video games that feature a duo of particular characters and how their relationship is within the game. Relationships within the narrative between the main characters may affect the storyline, actions and emotions either through the characters themselves or through the gameplay. I feel writing a dissertation on co-operative gameplay would be the most reliable subject area to research into because it connects with my game concept, as the two main characters in my story have the bond a mother and her child would share between each other. As well as having a strong mother & child bond, the duo work together as a team throughout the storyline and gameplay. I plan to use sources such as online and academic articles, books, game reviews and other sources showing evidence of co-op gameplay research to support my dissertation.

For my game design document, I will include areas such as concept synopsis, theoretical tenets, storyline, a storyboard, a gameplay blue print as well as anything else needed to cover my concept design. During my work on my dissertation and producing a game design document, I will update weekly entries to my virtual journal which will take place in the form of an online blog that will include samples of my work in progress, activities done outside of school sessions that relate to my work and also to video games in general, articles, videos and much more. What research I find relevant to my game design document will also be included into the blog, not just research used for my dissertation.

I plan to deliver my final production for BA7 through a pitch presentation in the lecture theatre to staff, students and possibly industry guests.

Working from my finalalised blueprint to the schedule of work I have planned out for myself, for BA8 I plan to continue working more concept art in the form of 2D character design illustrations. I intend to use both traditional and digital techniques within my work, focusing more in Corel Painter and Photoshop for my concept art. I want to develop a more believable style and have a diversity in my drawing skills to demonstrate evidence that I understand digital craftsmanship and mastering technique with an in-depth understanding of materials, techniques and processes in the development and realisation of what I am capable of producing a body of production and post-production work in the form of readable production files and a finalised showreel for the end of the year show.

I have decided to extend my development further into 2D character design because it is an area I want to specialise in the most and what I need to strongly focus on. With this practice underway, I hope to achieve and advance my skills further into colour theory and anatomy which can contribute to my character illustrations for my final production in BA8.

While focusing on my concept art, the research for my dissertation on co-operative gameplay will be continued and will be written fully and finalised in 5,000 words. To showcase my own personal portfolio, I will create a basic website containing my concept art from studio practice, personal work done outside of school sessions and my contact details for business purposes. Once everything is completed and fully achieved, I will write a 500-1,000 word critcal evaluation. This will explain what I have achieved, what progressing through my work was like, any pros & cons to support evidence of my understanding in character design and other aspects shown based on BA7 and BA8, before submitting it all in May 2011.

Guest Speaker: NUCA Graduate Chris Goodswen 3D Character Artist

In a lecture this week, we had a guest speaker who was a Games Art & Design graduate from Norwich University College of the Arts. This lecture was particularly very helpful as he covered all aspects of what he developed his final major project in Year 3, the exact year I'm in currently and trying my best to succeed in.

Chris specialises in 3D character design and explained how he went from a traditional artist only working in 2D and using non-digital art materials to creating character concepts in 3D using 3D programmes such as Maya and ZBrush. He claimed traditional media is very important and showing it within your portfolio proves you have more than just one form of artistic style to work with. He also explained that studying more in anatomy and colour theory can improve character development a great deal, which is something I've taken note of as those are the key areas of character development I wish to improve in myself.

Along with advice on what is needed to be a decent character artist in the games industry, Chris covered certain techniques he experimented with during his final year of Games Art & Design such as speed painting, thumbnail drawings etc. He mentioned about Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland as he did a Masters Degree in video game design there, explaining how difficult, demanding but yet fun it was and how he got far more experience as well as getting an extra foot in the door of the games industry.

His talk was very helpful and shined a light on what I personally to achieve to get the career he works in, except I'm more focused on 2D character design rather than 3D. Overall, this was a great lecture and I'm glad he came to speak with my class.

Euro Gamer Expo 2010 Experience

I went to the Euro Gamer Expo 2010 in London a few days ago with my fellow classmates. The event was a convention to show the "exciting" new video game titles that were due to be released soon and were available to be played by the public before it hit the game shops. As well as the chance to play these new games, some of the games industry was there to give advice and even recruit new team members for their studios, such as Sega Europe.

Personally? After arriving there later than expected, the event was a major disappointment through to the end. Most new game titles were in fact just sequels in the most popular series such as Fable, Assasin's Creed and Fallout; not exactly the most original idea. Waiting in line to play some of these games was a tedious task as many of the best titles such as the awaited Nintendo game, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword was overflowing with people and I didn't particularly want to wait for more than an hour to play it, which left me sulking.

With the lack of great games to play, I thought taking a detour of the gaming industry section at the back of the convention would be informative. Was it? No not really, I did however take part in a competition to win a prize of some sort. In the end I lost, but I was really happy to be given an Enslaved: Odyssey To The West poster for being so nice. In fact I played the exact same game earlier, which was entertaining. After getting my poster, I went on a freebies spree and managed to enter into a few more contests and get free little badges.

In the late afternoon, I got to speak with a games designer for a career talk, I've forgotten his name but he wasn't very helpful. I discussed my interest in character design/storyboarding, to me it was slightly intimidating as I was surrounded by about five young men including two who were already in their own business for 3D modeling. When I spoke I felt like a rodent being looked down upon by a vulture. Personally, I'm not sure how everyone else felt, but I felt I was being spoken to asif I was rather dumb and clueless about the games industry. Perhaps it was because I was female? It's often rare that females work in video game design. I didn't leave very satisified to be honest, it was the overall impression I got which left me feeling let down. I've gotten better and much stronger advice from my tutors at NUCA university believe it or not.

In the end, I got to play:
Kirby's Epic Yarn
Enslaved: Odyssey To The West
Metroid: Other M

What I REALLY wanted to play but never got a chance:
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (LoZ fan here).

I also got to play several indie games for the PC and get some photos of the event. Overall it was "okay", but as I mentioned beforehand, it was a disappointment. I was hoping for more appealing games, but they seriously lacked.

A New Beginning

This blog is for my final year (BA Hons) of Games Art & Design. Here updates on the newest project brief and my newest game concept work in progress will be shown, as well as activities I am/going to become involved in outside of school that relates to my work, gaming and career choices.


I've spent all summer practically thinking of ideas for my new game concept. It is fairly difficult to use a logically way of thinking when it comes to creating a new game idea. I've been through so many notes and sketches I've lost track on which is which and what is what. I am slowly getting an idea in my head, the earlier I take control of my imagination for the sake of this new and final project, the better.