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Week 5 - Communicating in 3D - Marcus Spencer

  Reflection on Modelling Translating the 2D concept into 3D stayed faithful to the reference, only modifying proportions slightly. Had major challenges importing and connecting multiple Maya files from different group members. We had version mismatches, broken references, and inconsistent file types (binary vs ascii) Missing one team member made workload management harder; the remaining members had to divide tasks more evenly and take on extra modelling and cleanup work. Final Thoughts on the Model vs. Designs Despite the technical setbacks, the model still reflects the original production bible ok. Simplified finer details and focused on overall form to keep the look cohesive with the team’s other assets. Why the Design Changed / Didn’t Change Only small changes were made to streamline the integration process and fix overlapping geometry when merging scenes. The design itself stayed true to the bible. Discussion on Aesthetic Cohesive surface style ...
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Week 4 - Communicating in 3D - Marcus Spencer

  Reflection on Modelling Focused on refining the upper torso and ensuring smooth, natural surface flow. Sculpting the chest area has been challenging, especially maintaining correct shape, symmetry, and stylized proportions while keeping clean topology. Needed to find a balance between anatomical believability and the simplified, “toy-like” aesthetic of the production bible. What’s Working Well Edge flow now follows the form more naturally and supports better deformation. The Smooth tool have been helpful for fine adjustments. What’s Causing Issues / How I’m Addressing Them Difficult to get the curvature right without unwanted creases or sharp transitions. → Adding supporting edge loops and checking the mesh from multiple angles. Aesthetic The model continues to fit the stylized Pixar/Disney visual language. Simplified, clean surfaces read well from all angles. Opinion on Current Look/Direction Like how the character’s form is starting to loo...
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Week 3 - Communicating in 3D - Marcus Spencer

  Reflection on Modelling Focused on refining surface flow and cleaning up edge loops. Improved topology around curved areas to maintain even quads and prevent pinching. Reference model from the production bible guided proportions and shape language; my version simplifies some details for smoother topology and better deformation. What’s Working Well Edge flow and form readability have improved, especially around the waist. The character’s overall silhouette follows the reference, but I made some adjustments to proportions (hips). Issues & How I’m Addressing Them Some areas still feel slightly over-dense in geometry → reducing unnecessary edge loops. Maintaining symmetry has been tricky → typing in exact coordinates when translating to seal the middle Aesthetic Discussion The model continues to reflect the stylized “Pixar” look. Surfaces are low-poly, fitting the intended family-friendly style. Opinion on Current Look/Direction Like the ...
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Week 2 - Communicating in 3D - Marcus Spencer

  Reflection on Modelling Focused on making it clean with quads and edge loops for smooth deformation. Used reference sheets to match proportions and key design details. Compared to the bible, the 3D model captures the stylized proportions but I took some creative liberty to make some changes as well. What’s Working Well The legs look good, realistic with the smooth mesh enabled. Overall silhouette reads clearly from all camera angles. Issues & Solutions Difficulty importing 2D reference images into Maya = solved by asking team member for help Trouble connecting the legs to the body = added extra edge loops and adjusted vertices for a seamless join while maintaining quads. Aesthetic Discussion Visual direction matches the playful, glossy look of the production bible. Stylized proportions translate well into 3D while keeping a “Pixar/Fortnite” vibe. Opinion on Look/Direction Like the clean, toy-like style and bright color scheme. Ende...
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Week 1 - Communicating in 3D - Petrol Tortise - Marcus Spencer

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  - Unique design : Stylized Pixar/Disney racer look; plasticky/toylike aesthetic; balance of charm and functionality.  - Commercial examples : Fortnite skins, Wreck-It Ralph: Sugar Rush , Disney Infinity , Pixar’s Cars / Lightyear . -  Cohesion : Character and bike share glossy, toy-like style and matching curves; feel part of the same world. -  Changes or not? : Minor tweaks for practicality or ease of modelling; overall style works well as is.   -  3D adjustments : Refine proportions, define materials (gloss/matte)   -  Aesthetic direction : Fun, family-friendly, stylized, toyetic; broad appeal with polished Pixar/Fortnite vibe.   -  Opinion : Like consistency and playful look   -  Next steps : Test in 3D, experiment with materials. Technical Notes: How to Add to a Custom Shelf Hold Ctrl + Shift and click a menu command to add it directly to the active shelf. Or open the Shelf Editor to create custom buttons, icons,...
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 This week I worked more with InDesign and learned a few important tools and shortcuts that made building the production bible and poster layout easier. The most useful was Ctrl + D   for quickly placing images into the document, which saved a lot of time compared to dragging and dropping. Once placed, I used the frame fitting options (right-click > Fitting) to crop and resize images neatly inside their boxes without distorting them. I also discovered the Effects window, which lets you adjust opacity, add drop shadows, or apply blending effects to images and text, which is useful for making layouts feel more polished. Cropping in InDesign works differently than Photoshop: instead of cutting pixels, you move or scale the content inside its frame, which keeps everything non-destructive. These processes were key for keeping my layouts tidy and consistent.
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This week I completed my promotional poster and the full production bible. For the poster, I focused heavily on composition to guide the viewer’s eye. I used the bulldozer itself as the central focal point, framed by large mushroom shapes that created natural leading lines toward the driver’s cabin. I also applied the rule of thirds to balance the subject with the text, placing the title slightly off-centre to create a sense of movement and tension.  Looking back at the final production bible, I’m proud of how consistently it communicates the project’s aesthetic and direction. It documents the fungi-meets-machinery theme clearly and provides both visual and written context for the design choices. The workflow is also visible, from early sketches to digital iterations, showing the development of ideas in a way that feels cohesive. That said, I think the poster could still be refined. The flat colours work well for clarity, but I’d like to experiment with adding subtle shading or t...
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