BYU 2014 Winter: Advanced Digital Illustration: information

Top 10 Tips of Texturing

This is pretty helpful for when we get to texturing

http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/CGSFeatureSpecial/the_top_ten_tips_of_texturing

Helpful Links

The following are some links to videos, books and podcasts full of ideas and techniques I believe will be helpful for the Concept phase of your project.

(Note: You must be logged in to my.byu.edu to access videos from the Gnomon Library. Our subscription allows only five simultaneous users.)

Ways To Be More Creative

How Creativity Works — Jonah Lehrer (Slate Podcast)

Jonah Lehrer on Creativity and the Brain (The Guardian Science Weekly Podcast)

Thumbnails / Roughs

The Techniques of Feng Zhu Vol. I — Design Process: Fighting Robots

The Techniques of Feng Zhu, Vol. 3 — Shot Design for Environments

Watercolor and Gouache Painting — The Techniques of Erik Tiemens

Perspective Drawing & Comp Sketches

How To Draw: drawing and sketching objects and environments from your imagination — Scott Robertson & Thomas Bertling

Fundamentals of Perspective 1 — One-Point Principles and Concepts with Gary Meyer

Fundamentals of Perspective 2 — Two Point Principles and Concepts with Gary Meyer

Examples of low-poly 3D artwork (Blizzard-related)

Some 3D Artists hired at Blizzard in the last 3-4 years:

World of Warcraft
CHARACTER TEAM

Tyson Murphy (BYU Alumni)

http://gardenturtle.blogspot.com/

Ryan Metcalf (BYU Alumni)

http://ryanjmetcalf.blogspot.com/

Tamara Bahklychev

http://firstkeeper.deviantart.com/gallery/

Joe Keller

http://obson.cghub.com/images/

World of Warcraft
ENVIRONMENT TEAM

Tina Wang

http://www.onomatotina.com/

Matthew Heyman

http://www.matthewheyman.com/

Kelli Hoover

http://keiiilei.blogspot.com/

World of Warcraft DUNGEON TEAM

Ryan Cooper

http://murdozer.carbonmade.com/

World of Warcraft PROP & FX TEAM

Mark Abadier

http://markabadier.com/

Jay Hwang

http://jhwang3d.deviantart.com/gallery/

Kelvin Tan

http://www.urpa3d.com/

BLIZZARD ART CONTEST

http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/careers/university-relations/contest.html

Examples provided:

Previous Student Winners

http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/careers/university-relations/contest-previous.html

Jessica Dinh

http://jessicadinh.blogspot.com/

Marie Lazar

http://www.pixelbutterfly.com/

Assignment: Position-tailored Résumé and Cover Letter — Due February 18, 2014

Professional Practices Assignment

Position-tailored Résumé and Cover Letter

Assignment

Select a job listing that requires 3D modeling and texturing abilities and write a version of your résumé and a cover letter both tailored to suit that position.

Procedure

Research careers that require skill in 3D modeling and texture painting.
Identify 3-5 online listings for relevant jobs and select the one that interests you most.
Write a résumé and cover letter tailored to the position selected.
Submit hard copies and PDF copies of 1. your tailored cover letter, 2. tailored résumé, and 3. the detailed job listing you are responding to.

Details and Expectations

Cover letter should be one (1) page only and include your name, contact information, date, appropriate salutations and portfolio link(s).
Cover letter should include the title (and number, if any) of the position you are responding to.
Cover letter should clearly state your interest and two or three of your main qualifications (i.e. education, experience, and skills).
Résumé should be 1-2 pages and include your name, contact information and key headings: Education, Experience, Skills, and Portfolio Link.
Cover letter and résumé should be neatly formatted, spell-checked, reviewed and and proof-read by at least one peer.
Job listing should be reproduced as closely as possible to the format in which it was posted online or advertised.

Due Date

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Resources

University Career Services — Writing a Résumé — Sample Résumés — Cover Letters — Writing a Powerful Cover Letter
BYU Writing Center — Résumés — Cover Letters
Marriott School Business Career Center — Résumé — Cover Letter — Sample Cover Letter
Humanities Advisement Career Workshops

Semester Project Description and Schedule

VAILL 410: Advanced Digital Illustration

Winter 2014 — 3D Illustration Project

Assignment

Design, model, and texture a two-part (major and minor) 3D illustration using both 2D and 3D software (Photoshop, Painter, Maya, Mudbox, etc.). The subject of your 3D illustration may be a character, creature, vehicle, structure, prop or set piece (e.g. campsite, tree/plants, weapon/armor, etc.).

Procedure

Start with thumbnail sketches or “roughs” to explore design ideas. Research relevant reference imagery to inform your concept.
Draw your design clearly from at least three (3) different views, including a two-point (or three-point) perspective view.
Use 2D digital illustration software to render at least one perspective view of your design in color, with visible indication of surface materials.
Use 3D modeling and texturing tools to build geometry, assign materials, lay out UVs, and pose or arrange your 3D object(s) in a scene.
Use 2D illustration software (Photoshop, Painter) to create and apply finished textures in color for all surfaces of 3D objects in your scene.
Use lighting and rendering tools to compose, light and render your 3D illustration for portfolio presentation.

Details and Expectations

Geometry must be used efficiently and effectively, with approximately 1,000 to 10,000 polygons, depending on the subject.
Geometry must be “clean,” using only 3- and 4-sided polygons and no stray vertices.
Textures must be used efficiently (256 - 1024 pixels square) and not reveal obvious seams.
Final art must be “production-ready” and suitable for use in a video game, mobile app, animated film, etc.
Images of all concept and production stages must be posted on the class blog by the deadlines specified to earn full credit.

Due Dates

(See table below: “3D Illustration Project Schedule”)

Evaluations

All stages of the project are subject to peer review in regular, formal class critiques.
Four (4) phase milestones will receive professor evaluations for quality: 1. Concept Design Package, 2. Minor 3D Project, 3. Major 3D Project, and 4. Final Renderings.