Tia Whitehead - BA (Hons) Computer Animation Arts

In this session we focused on creating 5 different ways in which a coin could be in motion. 1.) One way was by ensuring that the pictures of the coin were placed on each frame evenly spaced apart. This gave a smooth effect as if the coin was in continuous  motion going back and fourth. 2.) Another way was by causing the coin to ease in and out of motion. I was able to do this by ensuring that more images of the coin were placed at the beginning and end of the sequence while only a small number of copies were placed in between. This gives the sense that the coin was slowing down and speeding up. 3.) I then looked at how attaching a string to a coin that's moving in a straight line would look incorrect. This is as realistically the coin would not move in the way that it does while being attached to a string. 4.) For the fourth exercise I then created a pendulum using an arc, coin and string. For this, I  ensured that the pendulum...

In our first exercise we were given 10 minutes to draw the model with a material of our choice. I decided to use a graphite pencil so that it would be easier for me to use in order to shade the body and make it seem three dimensional. I believed that the outcome was successful but in order to improve I needed to focus on the shapes within the model rather that the model's outline. For the next exercise I then produced 8 more smaller sketches. We were given between 2 and 5 minutes to draw each position before the model then moved on to the next one. I realised after my first smaller sketch that I was still focusing on the outline of the model, realising this then allowed me to focus on the shapes that build up the model. I believe that looking at the shapes which made up the model benefited me as it also helped with the proportions of my drawings. For our final exercise we were given 20 minutes to complete a drawing using a material of our choice on black paper. T...

In this task I was given the brief to create a character design for 8 monsters in a 'preppy' style. The first thing that I did for the task was to research as to what 'preppy' was. I created a 'preppy' influence map that consisted of relevant images and then thought about the different shapes that I could use to create the faces and bodies of the monsters.  From my 8 loose geometric thumbnails I selected 3 that I believe that I could define further. I selected thumbnail 1 because the male character seemed fairly human like with how he holds his arms while he is standing and the way in which he stands. I also found how I dressed him to be quite interesting. For my second developed thumbnail I selected thumbnail 5 due to its contrast of proportions in the character's upper body and legs. I also liked how I created another set of arms underneath the character's original set making them seem hidden. In the original design I also placed...

Within the Maya lesson I followed step by step instructions to create a 3D model of a child's trolley. In total it took two hours to create the model due to it being the first time that I had used Maya and tried to understand its complexity. I found this Maya lesson very beneficial as I now know how to use a variety of tools to create different model features. For example I now understand that the extruding and bevel tool can be used to remove pieces of shapes to provide depth and to round sharp edges of objects. 

'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' is a movie about a man's (Francis') encounter of a man that he names Dr. Caligari. At the beginning of the movie, Dr. Caligari is shown to be in possession of a somnambulist or sleep walker, known as Caesar, who he takes to an annual fair located somewhere in Germany to exhibit him to the local people, telling them that he is able to predict their futures. A man named Alan, who is later shown to be Francis' friend, asks at what age he will die, to which Caesar replies "Until tomorrow's dawn" resulting in the murder of Alan the following morning and more murders throughout the town. Due to the death of his friend, Francis then tries to find out the cause of these murders.  Dr. Caligari and Caesar's costume and makeup designs   As Dr. Caligari was created in the silent cinema time period, the director Robert Wiene uses both costume and makeup to emphasise the gothic representation of the characters. Characte...

Life drawing 1: In this exercise we were given the choice as to what material to use to sketch the model in front of us. We were given 20 minutes to complete this task and work to the best of our ability. In this exercise I chose to work using a graphite stick as I believed it would be suitable for sketching quickly and for adding tone. Life drawing 2: In the next exercise we were given between 1 to 5 minutes to quickly sketch the model in a variety of different positions. During this exercise I used compressed charcoal. I was advised to use compressed charcoal as I would help with improving my shading techniques and emphasise different features on the model. Life drawing 3: In the final exercise the model stayed in one position and we were given 20 minutes to complete another sketch. Within this sketch we were to focus on tone which is why I continued to use compressed charcoal. I also ensured to make the outline of my drawings curved to make the model look more r...

Photoshop and Digital Painting Exercise 1 In exercise 1 we selected an image of our choice and edited the image so that it was in greyscale. In doing this it allowed for us to look at the tonal differences and how the shadow cast upon objects within an environment can show depth and dimension. I found this task beneficial as it enabled me to use the Eyedropper tool to select the correct colours within an original painting allowing my own painting to resemble the artist's image more. Whilst completing this exercise I used a variety of paint brushes and brush strokes to create different textures. I believe that these techniques will benefit me in the future as it will be easier for me to create a variety of different environments based on texture. Exercise 2 In exercise 2 we continued to use the Eyedropper tool to select the colours that we needed from the original painting to then create our own. During this exercise we created work in colour so that our pa...

Here I have uploaded the animation 'In a Heartbeat' from YouTube. I have selected this video due to its high popularity and success rate. I like the use of warm colours within the video which I believe adds to the heart warming effect of when the two characters sit down together and their hearts become one, suggesting that the characters have become partners. The stringed instruments used in the chase scene cause the viewer to feel light hearted tension, whilst the expression shown by the other male character ensures the audience that the situation is not as bad as it is made to seem.

Summer Project Original 101 Concept Drawings Shown below are the concept drawings that I created from the selection of images we were given over the Summer holidays. I used both graphite pencil and biro as materials to help create the concept ideas. Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Final Concept Design Ideas Structures For my final design concept idea for 'Structures' I selected concept design 91. I believe that the design I had created was very original and basic which allow for me to add more to design when it came to drawing it from three different angles. To give the design more character I incorporated windows, doors and rope ladders which I believes makes the design more intricate. Machines I chose concept drawing 32 as my final design concept design idea for 'Machines'. I selected this concept drawing as I bel...