Advanced Tools and Techniques I (for Concept Artists)
Cecil Kim / Wayne Johnson
What is the class?
This class is for anyone who is passionate about becoming a concept artist, visual development artist, art director and creative director. It is recommended for student who
has a good basic understanding in human anatomy, perspective and modern / fantasy designs. Student will learn how to come up with visual directions based on narrative / story pitch from someone else.
What do we focus in this class?
This class will focus on creating world and characters on 2 different narrative settings.
Process will involve coming up with a reference style guide, sketching initial ideas, developing them through iterations and execute them as finished concepts and key frame illustrations.
Students will explore different art styles to define the final look and overall design direction for each projects.
It is not allowed to use photograph or 3D references for ideation stages but limited application of photo/3D images are allowed in final concepts and illustrations upon instructor’s approval.
Students will think about the reason behind their design choices by coming up with narrative details and backstory on characters.
What are the important training subjects in this class?
Human Anatomy - Good figure / creature sketches
Design Decision - Costume & architecture design to reflect culture & story
Research - Reference and inspiration
Drawing - Speed and accuracy
Color and Lighting - Atmosphere and personality of your design
Storytelling - Explain why on your work
Projects
Survivors (5 weeks)
Design a group of 3 characters trying to survive from a nuclear outbreak.
Characters must include a kid, teenager and a handicapped / injured person.
Design their shelter interior and also exterior.
Design their main vehicle.
ex) 10 Cloverfield Lane
Mutant (5 weeks)
Design a character who has been affected by environmental changes.
Design a character who is trying to save him/her
Design a military/law enforcement unit
Design his/her hideout
*Keep your stories and research relevant to our own
Environmental issues we are currently facing and or forseen hazards*
Try to avoid recycled storyline tropes such as:
•radioactive contamination thus: superhuman.
•genetic engineering gone wrong
•bionic/robotic/cyborg/science experiment ect.
Research must be real and scientifically agreed upon, nothing from one persons far fetched research into un-testable solutions and origins.
Example:
Climate change causes increased water levels causing colder polar regions incidentally causing Walruses to adapt by growing a callused boney horn atop its snout in order to break the heavier ice layer to forage, escape danger and sun bathe: Evolutionary changes brought about through climate and or human effect.
30595
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Advanced Tools and Techniques I
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Week 1
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Aug 29th
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Class introduction
Lecture on thumbnail ideas on characters
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Homework Due
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Week 2
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Sept 5th
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Labor day / No class
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Week 3
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Sept 12th
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Lecture and Review on Character Design
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30 Character Thumbnails
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on how to detail sketches
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Week 4
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Sept 19th
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Lecture and Review on Character Design
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9 Character Sketches
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on how to paint characters
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Week 5
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Sept 26th
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Lecture and Review on Environment Design
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3 Character Concept WIP
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on how to paint environment 1
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Week 6
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Oct 3rd
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Lecture and Review on Environment Design
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6 Environment Comps
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on how to paint environment 2
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Week 7
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Oct 10th
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Mid-term : Project 1 Review
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Environment WIP
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Wayne
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602
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Project #2 Pitch
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on Concept Art & Industry
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Week 8
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Oct 17th
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Lecture and Review on Character Design
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30 Character Thumbnails
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on Costume Design
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Week 9
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Oct 24th
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Lecture and Review on Character Design
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9 Character Sketches
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on Creature Design
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Week 10
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Oct 31st
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Lecture and Review on Environment Design
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3 Character Concept WIP
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on Environment Concept
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Week 11
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Nov 7th
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Lecture and Review on Environment Design
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6 Environment Comps
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on Environment Concept
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Week 12
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Nov 14th
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Project #2 Review
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Environment WIP
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on Vehicle & Prop Concept
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Week 13
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Nov 21st
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Vehicle/Prop Polish
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TBD
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on Storyboard
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Week 14
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Nov 28th
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Environment Polish
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TBD
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on Game Production
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Week 15
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Dec 5th
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Character Polish
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TBD
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Wayne
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602
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Cecil
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412
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Lecture on Portfolio Preparation
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Week 16
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Dec 12th
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Final Review
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Final Presentation
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