Character Design Development: Female

Main Design

Consistent feedback from both teammates and our lecturer Alan guided the design process leading up to the character's orthographic projections. The projections themselves have been approved, while thumbnail 28 required the arm lengths to be evened out.

Thumbnail Development

Once we had established Paris as the location our animation would be set, we began researching various aspects related to Paris / France e.g. French fashion. It was suggested that we take design inspiration from French salt and pepper grinders to guide character design.

The biggest change in design style began at thumbnail 18, after Alan suggested having the style of both characters be influenced by 1960's French chic illustrations. This was due to the illustrative style of our kitchen having been established; as a result the character designs had to fit their environment.

Influences

Character Design Development: Male

Main Design

Consistent feedback from both teammates and our lecturer Alan guided the design process leading up to thumbnail 30, the final and approved design. 

Thumbnail Development

Once we had established Paris as the location our animation would be set, we began researching various aspects related to Paris / France e.g. French fashion. It was suggested that we take design inspiration from French salt and pepper grinders to guide character design.

The biggest change in design style began at thumbnail 14, after Alan suggested having the style of both characters be influenced by 1960's French chic illustrations. This was due to our illustrative style of the kitchen having been established; as a result the character designs had to fit their environment.

Influences

Kitchen design development

We looked at the colour palette of old french kitchens and these were some of the colours used. 

(Kitchen cabinet colours)

(Development of colour palette with kitchen layout) 

In order to incorporate the french style, we looked at old French tile patterns. For the kitchen we wanted a simple pattern, and after looking at the influences (below) we incorporated them into our thumbnails. 

(Kitchen tile design)

(Kitchen cabinet design)

(Thumbnail development)

Development of Concept & Thumbnails

After our discussion with Alan last week we decided to adjust our concept a little. As there is a romantic feel to the animation, as a group we decided it should be set in France. Before I started doing some thumbnails, I carried out a little bit of research.

We decided to have a still camera animation where we get to see both the kitchen (where the male character is preparing the meal) and the balcony (where his date is waiting). Within the animation there will be a contrast, the kitchen being a total mess, however on the other side of the wall there's this perfect little balcony with a table set for two, overlooking Paris on a summer's evening.

These first set of thumbnails are some sketches helping us see which arrangement works best.

This is a thumbnail Sukhi developed because we felt it worked well, She began to add in details, and feels it still needs more work, plus colour. We feel that we will be able to emphasis the clutter in the kitchen more within Maya.

Film Influences

After we spoke with alan we established that the film would be set in France, and Alan suggested a few films we could watch to get inspirations. The films we watched were 'Paris je t'aime' and 'Amèlie'. Below are a few films stills which we thought could be relevant when designing the set. 

['Amèlie' film still]

['Amèlie' film still]

['Amèlie' film still]

['Amèlie' film still]

['Paris je t'aime' film still]

Story Feedback and Influence Maps

Feedback

When we talked to Alan about our Narrative project, we found out that while he was satisfied with our general story, he suggested that we should instead have it shot in a fixed perspective, in which the the animation plays out without the camera moving. 

He also told us that once we had decided on what meal the man would be preparing, it would drive our chain reaction. We decided our story would be set in Paris, due to its romantic connotations.

[source]

Research and Further Development

After researching romantic French meals, we chose roast chicken as our meal; realising that the multiple ingredients and utensils involved in preparing a full roast chicken dinner would leave plenty of room for chaos. 

Since our animation will rely on slapstick comedy, we have decided upon the chicken somehow landing on the man's head, at the end of the chain reaction - possibly by being catapulted off a tray sitting on the edge of the counter, which he whacked into.

[source]

Influence Maps

Kitchen & Balcony Influence Map

Roast Chicken Dinner Influence Map

Developed idea

We have come up with a new idea, where…

The Character is - 

- Really clumsy

- Not a very tidy person

- Always trying to impress people however fails to do so most of the time

[source]

Story Outline is -

1) Guy is preparing for a date with a young lady who he is trying to impress,

2) After watching cooking channels (master chef) he is determined to make something really nice for when she comes over for dinner. 

3) He goes to the kitchen and tries to follow his recipe, 

4) Being his clumsy self he makes mistakes, getting frustrated and hitting into things he causes a chain reaction of things falling over (around and into the food), burning the food etc.

5) Making so much mess in the kitchen he tries so hard to make it better. 

6) His date has arrived and he panics and rushes to the door.

We haven't yet decided the ending, however we have a few possible ideas...

7) His date sits opposite him at the table, the camera pans down to their food and the meal turns out to be something very basic (scrambled eggs).

8) And it turns out to be her favourite meal.

OR

7) He burnt the house down but they ended up having take away.
8) Hugging as they watch the house burn down

We came across these animations which we could get inspirations from for our animation. 

Influence Maps - 1950's teenagers

After speaking with Alan, we have decided to set our animation in the 1950's and therefore we've started looking at teenagers during the 50's to get an insight on how they used to dress; the hair styles they would have, etc.