Unique characters and creatures, are a key aspect of many films and games. This module will allow students to undertake an in-depth study into character and creature design and workflow where creativity and originality is the way forward.

This module introduces the digital sculpting workflow with a huge emphasis on artist ’s ability to transfer traditional skills into to digital world. You will build upon the knowledge learned in level 4 Character Concept Design 1. From rough sketches and thumbnails students will realise their designs through a digital sculpt.

Students will build upon and further develop the skills introduced in L4 such as;
• Research skills
• Traditional art skills (drawing, anatomy, dynamic poses)

Accompanied by the leaning and development of new areas such as;
• Digital sculpting
• Photogrammetry
• Texturing
• Material setup, lighting and rendering
• Use of render passes
• Post-production skills
• Presentation skills
As part of the assignment students will be asked to discuss their progress and finished design vi PowerPoint presentations.

A coursework weighted at 100% comprising:-

Online log book of sketches, artwork, and a written analysis/ report in support of the of the art work and digital productions (80%) equivalent to 2500 words assessing learning outcome 1, 2, 3 and 4

Presentation and interview based on log book content (15 minutes) (20%) both assessing Learning Outcomes 2, 3 and 4

Eliot Goldfinger (2004), Animal Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form, Oxford University Press 2004
Cher Threinen-Pendarvis (2004), The Photoshop and Painter Artist Tablet Book: Creative Techniques in Digital Painting, Peachpit Press 2004
Fedor, 2007, Creative Essence: The Face, Ballistic
Goldfinger, 1992, Human anatomy for artists the elements of form, OUP USA
Keller, 2011, Introducing Zbrush 4, Wiley & Sons
Isbister, K (2006) Game Characters by Design (A psychological approach), Morgan Kaufmann 2006
Lanning, Petroc, and Baysal, 2007, D'artiste Character Modeling 2: Digital Artists Masterclass, Ballistic Media
Spencer, 2010, Digital Sculpting Human Anatomy, John Wiley & Sons
T Gottfried Bammes (2004), The Artist's Guide to Animal Anatomy, Dover Publications

Adobe Suite, Autodesk Mudbox and ZBrush, Life drawing models
Digital SLR, Nodal Ninjas, Digital Academy Forum

1. DEMONSTRATE ADVANCED UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORKFLOWS REQUIRED TO PRODUCE AN INNOVATIVE CHARACTER CONCEPT DESIGNS.
[Knowledge and Understanding]

2. INVESTIGRATE ADVANCED TECHNIQUES REQUIRED WHEN INTERPRETING THE STRUCTURE, FLOW AND ANATOMY OF A HUMAN FORM VIA A NUMBER OF OBSERVATIONS.
[Enquiry]

3. REFLECT AND ANALYSE THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF PRACTICAL PRODUCTIONS.
[Communication; Reflection]

4. APPLY TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL DESIGN SKILLS IN THE PRODUCTION OF A ONLINE PORTFOLIO DEMONSTRATING BOTH TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL 2D AND 3D DESIGNS.
[Application]

1 x 2 hour lecture / lab session per week

Learning on all aspects of the module will be facilitated by lectures and tutorials, problem solving exercises and student centred learning.

Practical assignments using laboratory equipment and facilities will support the learning.

Unique characters and creatures, are a key aspect of many films and games. This module will allow students to undertake an in-depth study into character and creature design and workflow where creativity and originality is the way forward.

This module introduces the digital sculpting workflow with a huge emphasis on artist ’s ability to transfer traditional skills into to digital world. You will build upon the knowledge learned in Character Concept Design 1. From rough sketches and thumbnails students will realise their designs through a digital sculpt.