Morphing Along

Time Taken- 3 months
Role- 3D Environment Group Lead

Tools and Software Used- Maya, Zbrush, Substance Painter, Substance Designer and Unreal Engine

Brief-
This unit builds on your Year 2 experience working with clients and requires you to continue to consider and shape your professional future. There will be a focus on tailoring your skills towards a specific role or position within the industry and on the development of strong personal professional methods and tools of presentation such as online presence, portfolio, showreels and CV. The project will contribute towards your developing portfolio of work by demonstrating professional skills and outcomes.

Process, Challenges and Solutions –
During the modeling phase, I didn’t face a lot of challenges as the designs were simple and easy to make apart from the wicker baskets, I didn’t want to just use texturing to show that the baskets were made from wicker. So, I had to produce a different method to make it look like wicker. So, I made them use NURBS curves around various thin cylinders. Shaped them individually using deform->lattice. Although I do wish I could come up to decrease the poly count for them even further.
For the coffee machine level. Added a lot of new elements to the existing coffee machine and made a new level. Didn't have any concept art so based it on the obstacle plan for the coffee machine. So, added elements like two nozzles for the coffee to come out of, and added a hot water nozzle as well. Added stain decal and drip tray. Changed the gas nozzle a little bit to match the other nozzles.

Overall, I am pleased with how the assets look within the scene. Nonetheless, there are some things I’d like to be better if I had more time and didn’t spend a lot of my time on the FMP. Such as I could’ve bevelled more edges on the existing coffee machine as that’s what the players are going to see until they are transported to the actual level.

Also, the surfacing and details on certain assets could’ve been improved. Specially, the round table and the pan. Adding more dust and decals to the table would’ve told more of a story about a family home which is messier. For the pan, I could’ve added more smaller details to show that the pan isn’t in the best condition and the waffle has been recently made and is ready to be eaten.

Throughout my final year, I have witnessed a significant evolution in my technical abilities as a 3D artist. My proficiency in industry-standard software such as Maya, Substance Painter, and Zbrush has advanced immensely, allowing me to create immersive and visually striking environments and assets. Comparing my recent projects to those from my second year. I am proud of the increased complexity, attention to detail, and overall polish evident in my work. This progress not only demonstrates my dedication to mastering my craft but also underscores the effectiveness of the curriculum and hands-on learning experiences offered by the university.

In addition to technical skills, I have placed considerable emphasis on developing my soft skills, particularly in communication and collaboration. Recognizing the importance of effective teamwork in creative endeavors, I actively engaged in group projects, assuming leadership roles and fostering a culture of open communication and mutual respect among peers. While I excelled in communicating within my department (the 3D team), I also recognized the need for improvement in cross-departmental communication, especially between the 3D and concept art teams. Addressing this gap will be a priority as I enter the professional realm, where seamless collaboration between diverse disciplines is essential for project success.

Furthermore, I feel like some parts could’ve been improved from my side as well, especially adding more decals and surface imperfections to tell more of a story of a family home which is very dirty and chaotic. The table and pan should’ve told more of a story and enhanced the scene further because when the little clay characters run through these obstacles the details would’ve been good to see, and I should’ve beveled the existing coffee machine as well to keep it like the level and go better with the overall scene.

Target Audience- Screaming Goat Client

Tutor Feedback- Your dedication as a 3D environment artist is evident in your portfolio, which is coming along well. It's commendable that you've chosen to create your own portfolio website rather than using a template. However, it’s worth considering having a presence on industry-standard portfolio sites like ArtStation as well. This will increase your visibility and make it easier for industry professionals to discover your work organically as well as being directed there by yourself.

Regarding your portfolio organization, I recommend reorganizing the projects to place the most recent and highest-quality work at the top. Progress down in order of relevance to the role, skillset, and quality of work. You might consider curating out work from year 2 and still have an effective portfolio tailored for a studio. Don’t be afraid to take on a personal project aimed at targeting a specific studio and their style. This can make your portfolio even more compelling.