Fire watch case study - Flat landscape

Fire-watch is a game based around the concept of keeping an eye out for fires and managing the forrest. The game also become popular from a specific piece of concept art depicting a landscape wide shot created in adobe photoshop.

When I first saw the original artwork I had an epiphany that the artwork in this shape and form would be perfect content to use image manipulation techniques to create the parallax effect. With this concept in mind I created an exercise to develop a better understanding of how the artwork was created in preparation for animating the piece.

I really enjoyed the creation process for this piece, it involved generating a tree asset and defining it as a brush preset to create the trees. The mountains were created with a combination of the lasso tool and the fill tool. This piece stands to exemplify that when creating a flat landscape piece, less is more.

In reflection to my case study I used the developed style and technique to create my own original design outcome, I felt that this landscape represented greenland so made sure to include birch trees (I hear there most common tree).

Overall I enjoyed experimenting with new techniques in photoshop and I am keen to express the final result of the image manipulation technique next time! I'll make sure to keep you all posted!

Image manipulation - 3D Horror concept

During my time experimenting with Image manipulation techniques in my current unit at newcastle college, I created an experiment in order to understand how i can use 3D perspectives in order to digitise concepts for games, animations and movies.

The idea behind this experiment was to use Image manipulation techniques in order to generate a video that conceptualises potential level designs in a horror game. This experiment was also created to demonstrate how image manipulation techniques can be used in mediums outside of the VFX industry such as games design in order to convey ideas and designs.

Overall I enjoyed creating this animation and I'm satisfied that in coordination with the audio this experiment took full advantage of the effect this technique can have when digitising concepts and conveying intentions.



Thank you for taking the time to view my work! I shall continue to keep you upto date with current and future projects!

Visual effects unit - Inspiration

To begin my second year on my level 3 animation, games and visual effects course, I shall be developing my skills in visual effects by experimenting with new techniques. The techniques I am keen to experiment with are image manipulation and compositing.

I plan to experiment in 2 main areas in order to better understand these new techniques. For my first experiment I would like to use compisiting techniques but in an animation setting. I shall be creating animated assets, that i will composite together with footage to create a scene. This idea and concept was inspired by Cartoon networks's show 'The amazing world of gum-ball'. This show uses a combination of elements from 2d and 3d animation with footage to create a unique and popular style.

For my second experiment I shall be compositing footage with pictures to create a believable and realistic scene fit for a movie. I would like to experiment with lighting and colour effects to understand the effect it has on the clip as a whole. I am also keen to experiment with special effects in order to improve the quality of the clip. The inspiration for this concept was various movies and creations by Studio Blur and Atomic fiction.

So i hope you look forward to seeing how my experiments turn out! I will be keeping you posted! Are you a fan of visual effects? Feel free to share any tips or tricks that i can use to improve my skills! :)