CAA Summer Project 2015: Aardvark-Snake

Aardvark-Snake - Original thumbnail sketch



Aardvark-Snake - Side



Aardvark-Snake - Front

Aardvark-Snake - Side

Aardvark-Snake - Back

Aardvark-Snake - Concept Art



Google Image Search - "Snake" and "Aardvark"

I chose the Aardvark-Snake because of the interesting cramped-like posture that I modelled from the silhouette of the stiletto - the stiletto's heel also suggested the shape of the snout. I was also eager to develop from the creature's slimy and scaly textures, and I really wanted to challenge myself in being able to recreate this posture in all four angles. Indeed, I had some difficulty forming the creature's posture seen at different angles, so I used modelling clay to fashion a model of the posture to be viewed in all angles.
The interesting floor plan of the creature and the design of the snout inspired me to draw concept art reflecting my detailed turnaround. Overall, I am really happy with the final of all three turnarounds.

CAA Summer Project 2015: Machine - Army Vehicle

Army Vehicle - Original thumbnail sketch



Army Vehicle - Side

 

Army Vehicle - Front



Army Vehicle - Control Pad (Inside)

Army Vehicle - Back



Army Vehicle - Concept Art

 

Google Image Search - "army vehicle"

I chose the Fantasy Army Vehicle for the Machine turnaround because I was interested in developing from the initial structure of a cylindrical seat with two large wheels. From images search results for "army vehicle", I discovered ideas to increase detail to the vehicle such as cogs and wheels, bolts and rivets and gun barrels. I wanted to create an overall rugged and dusty texture to the vehicle. Later I wanted to build up an interesting theme of American nationalism and aggression as I was listening to a podcast from the BBC Radio 4 Americana series. Shortly after drawing the turnaround, I was energized to add more detailed concept art reflecting my initial inspiration for the vehicle - e.g. cogs, wheels and bolts.

CAA Summer Project 2015: Structure - Human Pavilion

Human Pavilion - Original thumbnail sketch

Human Pavilion - Side



Human Pavilion - Front



Human Pavilion - Back & Floor Plan

Google Image Search - "Pavilion"

  

I chose the Human Pavilion for the Structure turnaround since I am really inspired by architecture, park designs and in particular world expos in recent times, which is why I added countries' flags along the roof of the pavilion to suggest a global unity theme. It is called the Human Pavilion as it is in the shape of a stripped-down human form in a press-up position. Visitors can walk through different passageways in order to reach the head where they can sightsee from the eyeholes. I have also added portions of trees and plants as well as locating the building close to the coast ideally for the pavilion to be part of a wider leisure park area.
I am really happy with the outcome of my turnaround, though I had some difficulty matching up the dimensions so they can be matched through all three angles.

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 97-101

2 Pond Birds, Aardvark-Snake, Micro-Teleporter-Laser & Treehouse

On-going creature, machine and structure exploration driven by 'seed-growing' method - Treehouse being clearest example (one object inspires the rest of the structure and scenery).

Really pleased with many of the concept drawings I created, especially with the life-forms - at one point I thought I had reached the end, but re-analysing these objects led me to even more exciting creature possibilities.
There are so many appealing thumbnail sketches that it was difficult for me to cut down to just three, so asked family members (Mom, Dad & sister) which drawing from each page would look most appealing to draw in 3-D, then allocated results for highest for each of three categories (Structure, Machine and Life-form). Final three choices (shaded in blue) to be advanced into turnarounds (e.g. Aardvark-Snake).

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 91-96

 



Bird (Flamingo), Tadpole, Octopus, Movie Camera, Bodyguard & Angel & Bartender

Exciting comical turnout of creature design driven by 'seed-growing method' (Flamingo, Tadpole & Octopus), plus really pleased by witty turnout of arm posture idea originating from stiletto silhouette - Angel's wing sits onto bar (as if his shoulder) asking bartender for drink - large storytelling scene can sprout out from that one body part concept.

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 85-90

Elephant, Air Vent (Escape Route), Shark-like Creature, Hindu-like God, Aardvark-Slug & Motorway Tunnel

Seeing more exciting possibilities for creature design (Elephant, Shark & Aardvark-Slug), driven by 'silhouette' and 'seed-growing' drawing methods. Making use of light bulb and continuing to place in more unusual circumstances, driven by 'seed-growing' - Hindu-like God (mixing human and insect elements) (marble statue, stain glass window design, hanging ornament, etc.)

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 79-84

Dinosaur, Tribal Mask, 'Space Suit', Light Bulb Bottom, Razor & Cargo Ship w/ Light Bulb

On-going exploration of playful creatures (Dinosaur) and tribal/indigenous design (Tribal Mask), as well as increasing focus on (probably) unusual costume ideas ('Space Suit' & Light Bulb Bottom). Becoming interested in using featured objects in more unusual circumstances (Cargo Ship).

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 73-78

Japanese Hand Fan, Homeless Woman, Whale-like Creature, Mechanical Mutation, Mechanical Mouse & Hippo-like Creature

Increasing aim of developing more creatures of different 'species', and on-going inspiration in brightly-coloured and childish-playful appeal (quite turned off by horror-gothic theme) (Whale, Mouse and Hippo), as well as interest in non-western cultures (Japanese Hand Fan). Increasing focus on 'seed-growing' method for new life-form possibilities (Mechanical Mutation).

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 67-72

Frog, Backpack, Mechanical Head, Space Station, Roller Skates (Athletic Blades) & Ski Jump

Increasing exploring ideas for heads and facial features (Frog & Mechanical Head), as well as exploring theme of sport and hiking - Backpack (2nd variation), Roller Skates (Athletic Blades, e.g. Pistorius) & Ski Jump.

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 61-66

Two Bird-like Creatures, Spider-like Creature, Factory, Elephant and Loading Bay at Space Station

Excitement at seeing increasing possibilities in exploring life-forms - exciting turnouts of both Bird-like Creatures (perhaps pterodactyl and vulture) originating from scissors (up to that point was becoming increasingly difficult in discovering what else I can use with that object). Greater exploration from rotation of objects (Factory from upside-down stiletto), and variations of previous experiments for more ideas (Loading Bay from Sleeping Pod).

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 55-60

Monster, Bloated Stomach, Shield, Jetpack, Race Course, Monster Head

Trying to push the limit of weirdness to see how far I can go, and not necessarily focusing on most obvious ideas that featured objects can be placed in - e.g. funny turnouts for Bloated Stomach and Jetpack.

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 49-54

Loch Ness, Goddess, Automobile, Cityscape, Pleading Mechanical Creature & Human Pavilion

Exploring friendly monster designs (Loch Ness), tribal-indigenous symbols and designs (Goddess), and expo-like landscapes (Cityscape & Human Pavilion), as well as playing with perspective and scope (Automobile & Cityscape). Taking advantage of machine 'posture' to develop Pleading Mechanical Creature with greater emotions and 'stretchier' posture than previous life-forms with 'average' emotion.

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 43-48

 

Sleeping Pod, Prosthetic Mechanical Arm, Snake-like Monster, Long Gown, Canyon River & Caverns

 

Diving into more exiting fantasy-utopia ideas (Sleeping Pod), and more witty concepts (Mechanical Arm). As well as continuing to explore Hundertwasser-esque brightly-coloured fantasy creatures, playing with dynamic perspective and scope (Long Gown & Canyon River, both from stiletto silhouette), and experimenting blending featured object into larger scenery (Caverns).



CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 37-42

Angel Wing, Bear-like Creature, Prosthetic Body, Army Tank, Hanging Monorail & Space Station

Thumbnail drawings increasingly looking jumpier and more energetic/animated. Almost wanted to select appealing Hanging Monorail design, but I really wanted to challenge myself throughout this project and not end up selecting easy choices for final turnaround (simply slightly-altered cuboid with square windows and doors).

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 31-36

Pavilion Entrance, Flying Propeller, Backpack, Monster, Army Vehicle & Living Plant

Enjoying making use of objects such as lightbulb in less predictable ways (e.g. stage and pavilion designs). Taking advantage of continuing interest in creating brightly-coloured playful structures and objects (Hundertwasser, etc.) (Pavilion Entrance, Backpack & Living Plant). Surprised by outcome of Monster drawn from stiletto (slowly becoming frustrated with lack of ideas from quite difficult object to spawn out from) - almost resembles No-Face from Spirited Away (Miyazaki)!

 

Shaded-blue - one of three final choices for turnaround designs

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 25-30

Laser Beam, Headset (character), Fish, Chariot, Mechanical Snake & Safe

Surprisingly seeing more sketch ideas than I thought from particular objects - even for most obvious ideas to come out of particular objects (e.g. Fish), more appealing result than I thought (believable gills, fins, tongue, etc.). Mechanical Snake may look like concept out of desperation (simply connecting Camera Crane with triangular tail), but I really like turnout of concept (operated by gears and cogs as well as slithering across ground).

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 19-24

Two Monsters, Robot, Parasol, Mine Train & Parade Float

Slowly more difficult to see more potential in some particular objects, leading to quite flat and childish-looking, short and bulgy monsters. Taking advantage of my interests in creating life-forms out of inanimate objects (Robot), and transport vehicle and crowd/seat design (Mine Train & Parade Float).

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 13-18

Sleeping Pod, Aeroplane, Conveyor Belt, Stage Musical, Insect/Hummingbird & Microbes

Going into exploring collision between factory/theatre landscape, and brightly-coloured fantasy life-forms.

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 7-12

Fish, Drill, Coastal House, Space Station, Tribal Shield & Camera Crane

Taking advantage of my interests in expo-like architecture (smooth-rounded, stripped down, etc.) (Coastal House & Space Station), and tribal patterns and designs (Tribal Shield).

CAA Summer Project 2015: Sketches 1-6

 

CAA Summer Project - completed in Aug./Sep. 2015

Two Dresses, Two Birds, Reptile & Prosthetic Arm

Pencil drawings in A3 sketchbook: I was experimenting with different ideas and themes, and ended up becoming gradually interested in creating a stripped-down, smooth-surfaced and quirky-abstract overall look in my thumbnail concept drawings. Perhaps I was continuing to be inspired by the artists and designers I had explored in my most recent project back in Extended Diploma Year 2 - e.g. Hundertwasser, Frank Gehry, Javier Mariscal, etc.

 

Key:

Red - Structure

Brown - Machine

Blue - Life-form