major project 2

so after much soul searching and deliberation about what I wanted to do for my final major project I finally have a good idea.
let me tell you this wasn't easy, I went back through my collection of old sketchbooks rattling my brain thinking of something I could both enjoy and has enough subject matter to make a good project.
I noticed i really have a thing for drawing dragons, no idea why but it seems that in every sketchbook ive done there is a drawing of some sort of dragon in there somewhere.

seriously, every sketchbook dating back to 2010 has a bloody dragon doodle

that got me thinking about the project we did ages ago about mythology (even though I completely failed at it due to being constantly i'll). well the stars have aligned and i'm in better health than I have been for years so it looks like i'm doing something about mythology.
after doing some initial research (googling) I found myself drawn to the concept of bestiaries and with that in mind I came up with this brief:

*brief edited to include updated version 15/03/16

Name: Lawrence Matthews         

Course: Illustration

Level: 6         

Unit: PMP     

Unit Code: ILL652  

Credit points: 60     

Study hours: 600 hours

Tutor(s): Joel Lardner, Paul Roberts

Synopsis of study

Great art picks up where nature ends. Marc Chagall

For my Final major project I will be creating an animated sequence revolving around the theme of ‘bestiary’s’. Whist researching art history I came across this type of book from the Middle Ages and became fascinated by its imagery. This style of illustration and the subject matter, as well as how they were made, has been my most recent fascination and so I have decided to bring one to life using animation.

This project will also serve as a means of showing a visual CV as I intend to use multiple animation techniques and software to culminate in a final animation lasting 1-2 minutes.

Even as a combination of various digital software’s and animation techniques I hope to keep the classical style that was so abundant in manuscripts and works of the time, and so to that end, will be using line and watercolour / ink to create an authentic feeling to the book in the animation.

The software I plan to use for this animation is mainly, Photoshop, flash, after effects, and toonboom, but all the initial work will be done using traditional mediums.

Whist modern bestiaries are nothing new in the world of illustration, having been done by such artists as Jorge Luis Borges, I have yet to see an animated one. With the upcoming release of J.K.Rollings ‘fantastic beasts and where to find them’ and the continued popularity of G.R.R. Martine’s ‘Game of Thrones’ It is my belief that the interest in mythical beasts will soon spike and thus be marketable.

Looking at related works and narratives used in animations will help to both expand my creative horizons and provide various points of reference. There is no shortage of medieval illustrations of this subject matter with even the famed Leonardo da Vinci making one, but for the stylistic influence I will be looking more along the lines of William Simpson, Elia Mervi, and works of the Charging Image studio.

Aims:

A1 To provide you with the opportunities to exercise and enhance your

knowledge and abilities in the development of a body of creative and

technically competent work appropriate to your course aims and criteria at

Level 6.

A2 To provide opportunities for you to learn from the increased complexity and

rigour of creative production required for this unit.

A3 To encourage you to apply the advanced level of discipline and timemanagement

which are required during the unit.

A4 To encourage you to work independently, albeit with supervision, in the

development of your work, in a way which reflects contemporary professional

practice. You are also encouraged to work effectively as a team member

where this is demanded by your project or subject specialism.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1 Demonstrate the ability to rigorously apply specialist knowledge, understanding and creativity in the production of your extended major project.

LO2 Demonstrate the ability to manage the complexity of practice demanded by the extended major project by managing your time and work efficiently.

LO3 Demonstrate ability in the coherent use of various representation techniques, documentation and presentations to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

LO4 Demonstrate your awareness of the ethical, social and cultural issues appropriate to the concept of a responsible professional practitioner, whether working independently or as part of a team.

Assessment Criteria:

Evidence of realisation through the application of technical knowledge and skills –

Specialist knowledge and understanding are evident and applied in the work.

(LO1)

Evidence of understanding through critical evaluation and reflection - Informing

the development and management of the project.

(LO2)

Evidence of realisation through presentation - The communication and

presentation of ideas reflects best contemporary practice.

(LO3)

Evidence of knowledge of concepts, contexts, criticism and theory – The work

demonstrates awareness of concepts relevant to the responsible professional

practitioner.

(LO4)

Action Plan

Week 1,2: 11th Jan – 25th Jan

• --

Week 3,4: 25th – 8th Feb

• brainstorming
• initial planning 
• write new brief

Week 5,6: 8th Feb – 22nd Feb

• begin initial research
• initial sketching  
• animation planning

Week 7,8: 22nd Feb – 7th March

• cont animation planning
• cont sketching

Week 9,10: 7th Mar – 21st Mar

• gif tests
• character sheets
• test character sheets

Week 11,12: 21st Mar – 4th Apr

• animatic
• start animation
• sound file gathering

Week 13,14: 4th Apr – 18th Apr

• finish animation
• polish animation 

Week 15,16: 18th Apr – 3rd May

• extra time for fixing / runover