Professional & Contextual studies 2
22nd April 2013  

In my project for Specialist Pathway I'm using software that isn't available in college, Autodesk Mudbox. I use this software to texture my 3D models that I do at college and at home instead of using Adobe Photoshop. You can import your 3D model into Mudbox and paint straight onto the model which is a lot easier than using Photoshop.   

I also find that my workflow is a lot faster, texturing the model only takes a few minutes whereas it could take up to an hour in Photoshop. The model I am creating is a knight based off the Knights from the medieval period, the first part I textured was the Knight's tunic. I created a brush in Mudbox using a fabric image off the internet, then painted it on to the model in blue, and I put a underlay of black to give the blue a darker colour.     

I still have a lot more to texture on the model, I need to texture the arms and legs in chain mail and the shield. The helmet is already complete. The base mesh for the helmet was done in Maya and the rest of it was completed in Mudbox. 

 

Professional & Contextual studies 2
20th April 2013 

I have entered a contest on Facebook which actually relates to the field I wish to work in. The contest is for a game, Dark Souls 2 (Yet to be realeased). To participate you have to create a orginal shield design, there are templates on the contest which you have to use.

Thousands of people have already entered their own designs, there are up to 8 winners, the first 6 winners get their designs included in the game, get their names in the credits and also get a sign copy of the game from the developers. The other 2 winners just get a signed copy of the game.

The contest is up on Facebook, and anybody can enter and also vote for their favourite designs, mine currently has 40 so if anybody is actually reading this go vote for mine here! -  https://apps.facebook.com/darksoulsii/?gallery&action=view&id=2484

'Great Grey Wolf Sif'       


. 2013. . [ONLINE] Available at: https://apps.facebook.com/darksoulsii/?gallery&action=view&id=2484. [Accessed 30 April 2013].  

This was like a little side project that only took a few hours to complete, the idea for the design actually came from the game itself, I wanted to relate the design to a previous game instead of coming up with a different idea that doesn't really fit with the game. The design was created in Adobe Photoshop. 

Professional & Contextual studies 2
19th March 2013
Today we took our work down, when I arrived some of the group had already begun taking their work down and I was the first to arrive from New Media. It took me seconds to take my work down so I took all the rest of New Media's work down which didn't take me long.

I filled in the holes left by the screws and painted over the marks left from our work, I helped around cleaning up the place it really didn't take that long. We left a lot of time aside to take down the exhibition but most of it was done by lunch time.

Overall I feel that this exhibition could not have gone any better, all we have had is positive remarks from everybody who viewed our work. I think frameing my work was the best decision I made during this module.

Professional & Contextual studies 2
14th March 2013
Today I got feedback on my work from my course tutor, he said my work needs to be presented better which I already knew to be honest, so before the opening evening started I went and bought two frames to mount my work in. I bought two white frames and took them to the venue, as I opened the one frame it fell apart so I had to run back and get another one. Since they had no white frames I had to get a black one, I got back and mounted my work onto the wall.

My work looked 10 times better in frames, and it went with the rest of the groups work thankfully. Once everybody had put up their work the exhibition really did look professional, we went round touching up the walls with paint and sweeping the floors. 

The turnout for the show was relieving, I expected the worst where no one would turn up but the exact opposite happended. The venue was packed full of people and the wine went fast, the group looked like they had a good time and our work attracted alot of interest. Today has been a success.

 

Professional & Contextual studies 2
12th March 2013

Today I got my work ready for the show, I'm using work that I just finished from a previous project. It is a 3D model of a Gladiator, one of my better creations, I most confident using this work for the exhibition. I already have prints of the model so all I had to do was mount it on some foamboard, I got Dan from phorography to do it for me as he is good at doing it.

After I had it mounted I then went over to the venue to put up my work where most of the group were busy doing their own work. Everybody were using frames to present their work which is making me think twice about using foamboard, it actually makes my own work look out of place.  

The exhibition is starting to come together, it will be intresting to see how many people turn up and what their thoughts on the exhibtion will be. Everyones work is looking really good, there is still a few more pieces still to go up but the venue already looks professional.

Professional & Contextual studies 2
5th March 2013

For the final meeting viewed the layout for the venue on where everyone is going to be situated. Most of the group are going to put their group in frames but I am not sure what to do, most of New Meida are going to mount their work on foam board so I may as well do the same so my work won't be out of place. I may change my mind later.

We got the posters and flyers back and the quailty of the are quite poor, a lot of the group are not happy at all but we did get them for printed for free, we can't really complain. Todd was disappointed as it was his work and it didn't do it justice. We then decided on where we were going to place the posters and flyers, we basically just split up into groups and just went around college and town placing them everywhere. Giving them to shops to put up in their staffrooms etc.  

Professional & Contextual studies 2 
26th Feburary 2013
This session started with the logos, Calum, Todd and Jasmine put up ideas for the Logo, they had their own designs, which were well received by the rest of the group. We all voted on which design was best and Todd’s design got the majority of the group's votes. 

The groups focus was shifted towards the venues address, the preferred address of the venue was comfirmed as Unit 3, The Guildhall, St. Marys Grove, Stafford. I did not actually know the address untill it was brought up, this will be used on the posters and flyers.

We then decided on quantities and sizes, Neil said the college would print them for free but they would need information on the sizes. We finalised on-

25 x A2 Posters

20x A3 Posters

50 x A4 Posters

300 x A5 Flyers  

For the private viewing a Facebook event would be made for it and we can all invite our friends and family. We also have printed invitations to give to close friends and family.  

Emily has taken on the task of doing the rota and has published it on Facebook, it is very clear and organised. I may have to swap my day with someone else as I may be working at the time I have been allocated but it shouldn't be a problem.

 Professional & Contextual studies 2 
5th Feburary 2013

During todays meeting we disscused the which Venue we wanted. Karen had given more information on the Guildhall, she had been in contact with the person in charge and there would be no charge on using this Venue. The only requirements would be signing a licence agreement and have public liability insurance. Getting in contact with college about their own insurence was metioned as it has apprently been done before.  

We have finalised on dates for the exhibition -

Thursday 6.00pm – 9.30pm

Friday 10.00am – 6.00pm

Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm

Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm

Monday 10.00am – 6.00pm

The Thursday would be the opening evening for invited guests only, wine would be available for the guests on the opening evening.

For the costs we debated on what we would need to spend money on, we all agreed on putting £10 each in which would be spent on the essentials and refreshments.

This is a list from the minutes from the meeting about expenditure -

Expenditure:

-Wine
-Juice
-Cups
-Cakes
–Ingredients
-Napkins
-Plates
-Screws + mirror plates
-Paint
-Rollers/ Brushes
-Broom/mop
-Window Cleaner
-Sandpaper
-Bin Bags

Here is the list in which we hope to get funding for:

-Foam Board
-Spray Mount
-Sticky Fixers
-Potential glasses

A dress code was also discussed, most of the group felt that smart dress code was needed as this is a professional exhibition, however in my own opinion I am not too fussed by it, although if everyone is dressing smart I had too!