Virtual Trajectories. Sanaa. Project Reflection.

As we have been working on this project for several months, I feel like something big has come to an end. The subject was extremely rich in content. At the same time, this is just the beginning as I have quite a few new skills I have just gained and new knowledge I will be happy to utilise in my future work. Designing and building your own character, rigging it (and not just using the famous Quick Rig tool), working with MoCap material, just to name a few. 

I really liked the format of the Virtual Trajectories class where we were encouraged to work actively from the beginning and had to prepare little elements of our designs on a weekly basis. Regular and consistent work seems to be the key to achieving success and meeting deadlines.  

The modelling process was not the part I enjoyed a lot, even though I knew what look I wanted to achieve for my character. At the same time, I feel like I have spent too much time correcting Sanaa’s appearance. I wanted her to be perfect though, and in my eyes she is exactly the way I wanted her to be. 

What I think I would like to have another look at are blend shapes and retopology. These two topics were not explored enough by me in the given time.

Animation itself is interesting, especially the MoCap and the way we can work with it. I need to book a slot in the studio at LCC and try the SmartSuit out as it seems extremely exciting and fun. Animation is something that I have a basic knowledge of and know how to work with a bit. This is definitely the field to be explored more. I feel that I could have spent more time adjusting my animation instead of mastering my design and modelling it.  

Overall, I am incredibly happy with the outcome of my work, especially that I could not be onsite this term, and have a little company during most of my time. Luckily, this time I have not had any technical problems with my equipment, and the errors I came across were successfully fixed. 

 When I watch videos I have produced, I can proudly say that I made them entirely on my own.