Collaboration:

During our group outings, we ventured to various parts of London to collaborate on projects. On October 25th, my team, consisting of Deon, Jerry, Billy, Eman, and Aston, really embraced teamwork. We set out to sketch and photograph landmarks in parts of London we hadn’t explored before. Our approach involved suggesting different locations and pooling our varied cameras and viewpoints, which brought a unique flavour to our work. This diverse blend of perspectives and technology provided us with an array of excellent material.

Although I’ve lived in London most of my life, I hadn’t spent much time exploring. I was initially unsure about finding structures worth drawing, but I was pleasantly surprised by what we discovered. One of the places we ventured to was the Lloyd’s Building. Its unique architecture has significantly influenced the design styles I plan to incorporate into my future projects. I delve deeper into this building on my Research and Analysis tab, and my photos are on my Technical tab.

After a day full of capturing the city’s architecture, we wound down at the cinema with the 'Five Nights at Freddy’s' film. It was my first cinema visit in a while, and despite a few initial reservations about it being a lower age rating, I thoroughly enjoyed the adult humour and special effects. It was a refreshing change from my usual preference for action and comedy films, especially with the return of Matthew Lillard, known for his role as Shaggy in the live-action Scooby-Doo movie.

Then, on November 15th, we headed to Hyde Park to photograph the local wildlife, including ducks, swans, squirrels, birds, and even a horse. These photography sessions have proven to be more than just fun—they’ve been quite educational. We capped off the day with 'The Creator', a sci-fi film which I praised for its impressive special effects.

At the beginning of the first term, a classmate named Deon introduced me to a Marvel series on Netflix called 'Secret Invasion'. As someone who enjoys animated series and the use of AI tools for enhanced efficiency, this was particularly intriguing. Deon highlighted that the introduction to this series was generated by AI, illustrating that such tools are already in use in major productions. This insight has significantly improved my projects that incorporate digital tools by boosting my confidence. It has also led me to strategically plan the inclusion of these tools in my work. My aim is to complement the core objectives of the projects in a non-intrusive manner. The documentation and insights gained from using these tools will be elaborated upon in my other briefs to come.

Keeping, F. (2023). Marvel Reveals That AI Was Used To Create Secret Invasion. [online] Game Rant. Available at: https://gamerant.com/secret-invasion-marvel-ai-new-series-explained/ [Accessed 23 Nov. 2023].

Our Maya lessons also often morph into collaborative sessions. As new tools or methods are introduced, we don't just learn from the instructor but also from each other. It's common to share handy shortcuts or alternate approaches we've discovered. Beyond this, we regularly give and receive feedback on our projects. This peer feedback is invaluable, providing fresh perspectives and constructive critique that help us refine our work. Through these exchanges, our classroom becomes a rich learning environment, where we collectively enhance our understanding and skills in Maya.

What Worked:

• My exploration of perception theory has been quite effective, enriching my ability to capture the essence of various subjects in my artwork. This understanding has allowed me to focus on essential elements, valuable in animation where efficiency and clarity are key.

• Employing minimalistic sketching techniques in life drawing sessions allowed rapid improvement, aligning perfectly with the quick-paced nature of animation, where capturing essence is more critical than detailed rendering.

• My technical growth in both digital and traditional mediums was significant. Digital tools like Maya facilitated trial and error without consequence, while traditional sketching grounded my connection to the art form.

• Group outings offered a dynamic environment for collaboration, enhancing my understanding and bringing a diverse range of perspectives into my work.

• The development of my 'cursive drawing' technique, inspired by Mike Matessi and ice skating, was a breakthrough. This method facilitated more fluid and expressive line work.

What I Learned:

• The variation in perception among my peers was a revelation, expanding my understanding of how different people interpret visual cues - crucial knowledge for an animator.

• The practice of minimalism in sketching, while challenging, was immensely rewarding. It taught me the value of conveying motion and emotion with just a few well-considered strokes, a key skill in animation storyboarding.

• Engaging with the teachings of artists like Mike Mattesi, particularly on force and rhythm, greatly influenced my approach to capturing movement and emotion in characters.

What Was Successful:

• My minimalist sketching approach was a notable success, particularly for efficiently conveying action and emotion, paramount in animation.

• The architectural studies, especially my exploration of the Lloyd's Building, provided a fresh perspective that I can translate into my future designs.

• The collaborative outings enriched my creative process, leading to a more comprehensive and varied portfolio.

• Adapting different techniques, from minimalist sketching to more complex structures, helped develop my artistic voice, essential in the evolving field of animation.

What Could Be Improved:

• Although detailed sketches are less relevant in animation, there's a fine line between minimalism and under-development. I should continue to hone my ability to capture just enough detail to convey the subject effectively without overburdening the animation process.

• The way I collect and utilize feedback could be more systematic, ensuring it aligns with the quick production cycles typical in animation work.

• Further exploration of the balance between minimalism and detailed rendering is necessary to enhance the storytelling aspect of my sketches.

Moving Forward:

• I will continue to practice rapid sketching techniques that prioritize clarity of movement and expression over detail, aligning with the swift iterative cycles of animation.

• Seeking out more collaborative experiences remains a priority, as they have proven invaluable in expanding my approach and ideas.

• I will refine how I integrate feedback, ensuring it is concise and actionable, to better suit the fast-paced workflow of animation.

• I plan to delve deeper into the study of human and animal forms, enhancing my ability to capture a wide range of movements and expressions in character animation.

In Summary:

My reflections have highlighted a journey of progression well-suited to the field of animation. I've learned that while detail has its place, the essence and emotion conveyed through minimalistic sketches are what truly bring animations to life. The skills and insights gained are not just about mastering techniques but understanding how to bring stories to life through animation. I'm excited to carry these lessons forward into my future projects.