August 29:: Project 1 Information + Research; Day 1

Initial research + sketches of potential worlds and/or zones due posted by 1:00 pm 9/3

Project 1: World Design; design the overall world that the character(s) would inhabit. Include a map of the ‘world’. Digitally paint the zone that the character inhabits. (Or ‘zones’ depending on where the other characters would live. Only one zone required for project 1, additional zones may be painted for other characters if time permits, if the other characters aren’t from the same region). Research tutorials and information as necessary during the project.

• Necessary Components: Research (with blog postings for evidence/notes), digital map of ‘world’, digital painting of a zone the character (or characters) would inhabit. May have to make 3 eventual paintings for the 3 characters if they don’t all ‘live in the same area’. Blog postings for each class period are necessary to show progress and research.

Interesting Website(s) and/or links: 

**Many of these resources are highly opinion charged/based and/or discussion oriented.

Specific to Video Games-

• http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/designing-video-games.html
• http://gamedev.tutsplus.com/articles/game-design-articles/when-designing-a-world-player-mobility-must-come-first/
• http://iqu.com/blog/5-tips-for-better-game-design-in-games
• http://www.fastcocreate.com/1679118/how-to-create-a-world-skyrims-director-on-building-a-never-ending-fantasy

Fantasy Environment Specifics (may contain tutorials)-

• http://www.digitaltutors.com/tutorial/897-Painting-a-Fantasy-Environment-in-Photoshop
• http://www.writing-world.com/sf/world.shtml
• http://www.writing-world.com/sf/setting.shtml
• (making fantasy maps tutorial) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0auHYGnTS8
• http://www.pacejmiller.com/2009/02/03/mapping-your-fantasy-world/
• http://gamecareerguide.com/features/818/david_perry_on_game_design_a_.php?page=2
• http://inkwellideas.com/worldbuilding/worldbuilding-where-to-start/

Interviews and/or videos-

• (creating the world of Harry Potter, 2 part video) http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/mMBI2EY6G3XTM
• http://valuesatplay.org/interviews-with-game-designers
• http://www.siggraph.org/discover/news/spotlight-art-interview-video-game-artist-joseph-drust
• http://www.shutupandsitdown.com/blog/post/interview-zach-gage/

Character Design Specifics (Probably will be heavily tutorial based)-

• http://www.computerarts.co.uk/features/20-character-design-tips
• http://www.computerarts.co.uk/blog/top-40-character-design-tips-part-2-human-based-characters-133597
• http://sheridanportfoliotips.blogspot.com/p/character-design.html
• http://mangainternational.tumblr.com/post/5920369800/tips-for-successful-character-design
• http://www.gameartisans.org/forums/threads/11401-What-makes-a-good-character
• http://forum.deviantart.com/art/general/1893719/
• http://bluefley.deviantart.com/journal/Complete-tutorial-Series-ahhhh-yeeahh-393121308
• http://bluefley.deviantart.com/journal/Tutorial-Painting-hair-396212451
• http://bluefley.deviantart.com/
• http://bluefley.deviantart.com/journal/New-Tutorial-Color-Theory-EP01-389306675
• (Opinion Based, but still interesting information) http://www.1up.com/boards/posts/list/56743.page
• http://characterdesignnotes.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-to-kill-great-character-design-part.html 
• http://thundercake.deviantart.com/art/Unique-Character-Design-Tips-105722545
• http://floobynooby.blogspot.com/2011/12/tips-on-character-and-costume-design-by.html
• http://artsammich.blogspot.com/2013/06/costume-design-vs-character-design.html

Resources that can be/may be purchased-

• http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/product/941/#.Uh-oKetCMeI

*Note: Bluefley is a Senior Character Artist for Blizzard Entertainment, so any tutorials/tips/information from him could prove to be valuable/useful