1:1

So I finally got my final mark from Uni, I spent around an hour refreshing the page, waiting for 4 years of my life to be summed up in 2 numbers.

I got a 1:1! So all that work was definitely worth it, I was pleasantly surprised with the mark as I still saw flaws in the project that I felt needed addressing, I'd have liked to show more documentation, and possibly tried some newer techniques on certain aspects of the final piece. When breaking the score down I got an A for my final project, an A for my Special study and a B for my Dissertation, so I'm pretty damn happy!

Currently I'm applying for various jobs that have taken my interest. I've updated my CV to include my new grade, and I've also decided to add software skills that seem relevant for the industry I'm interested in. Also I've been working on my showreel and have my first draft complete. I've started sending this out with my applications in hopes it will strengthen my application.

Here's the first draft of the Showreel. I'd like to add in some more detailed examples of my environment design, and possibly some asset creation with breakdowns of the modelling, texturing and rendering stages.

Till next week!

Done Dusted and A&E

2 Weeks since the last update, it has been pretty hectic! The degree show went great, it was a packed event and people showed a lot of interest in my work. In total I had around 10-12 of my business cards taken, so these past few days I've found myself watching my inbox like a hawk.

My Set Up

I got a nice little corner where I could have my work next to my A1 poster. Sadly there wasn't a decent place to put my business cards so I settled with balancing them on an wiring cover, checking back every so often to see if many were missing. I was quite impressed with how many people took interest in my work, I had a decent group of people around it most of the show. The only major downfall was the fact that the only way to hear sound was using a pair of headphones, this didn't create the group immersion I had hoped for, but getting this spot at the show was hassle enough so I can't complain!

Here is the Final Piece that was shown at the degree show..

So this week has comprised of organising my CV and getting feedback on my show reel. In the middle of all this I had a nice trip to A&E for some stitches due to a nasty gash in my thumb, but now I'm back on track and preparing to send my Show Reel off to various companies I have interest in working for.

Preparing for the Degree Show & Visit from the External Examiner

It's been an interesting and busy week. I was one of the students chosen to have my work shown to the external examiner, Ian Bowden, who also happened to be an Art Director at Rockstar Games! I was pretty chuffed to have my work looked at by him, and he gave me some great advice on how to further improve it.

In particular he drove attention to the edges in one of my scenes. It's a corner where two walls meet.

The edge is far too harsh, the texture shows bricks that should jut out of the wall, but instead I have a perfectly straight edge. It's far too noticeable due to how close the camera gets to the wall. The solution was as follows...

I modelled separate bricks on the corner of the wall that created a more interesting and three dimensional appearance. You can see how each separate brick sticks out from the wall and makes it look built, instead of modelled. Also Ian explained to me how "Smoke and Mirrors" will now take place on the fly through, the camera shows a close up of this modified corner, which leads us to assume that all the corners are the same, even though I only modelled the bricks on the corner nearest to the camera.

Also this week I've been planning for the degree show. I have some business cards on order that should arrive next week, I'll be placing these out next to my work for people to take. I'll also hopefully have a TV showing my final piece, a computer with a slide show of work in progress shots as well as my project documentation and possibly a 3D Model of my character.