Introduction

In the Reflections unit, we produced pieces that required us to self-reflect. In our English class we wrote our college application personal statement essay, which required so much thought and revisions in order to express exactly who we were. We created mandalas in three different media, learned Photoshop paintings, made compositions with Photoshop layers, eventually leading to a surreal world composition. Finally, we learned 3D modeling in Animation by making a weapon, a character, and motions. I enjoyed creating the backstory to my character.

As part of the whole theme of the unit, we were challenged to look deep inside ourselves to produce writings that were personal and meaningful and insightful. But in order to do that, we had to explore ourselves by thinking about our essence objects. By doing so I discovered that I am a creature of habit, always having things around me, the same objects that give me comfort. I explored my identity as a person, a sister, a daughter, as an artist and how I affected those around me. I was always grateful to my family but as I was working on my projects, I realized how much I was supported by my family, especially my sister.

Mandala

In Digital Media class, I learned how to use Adobe Illustrator to create mandalas. I designed two different mandalas. One black and white one and one colored one. The black and white mandala is laser-engraved onto wood and the colored mandala is used in a video to show the mandala building process.

Black and White Mandala Artist Statement

Melody Blueprint

I made my black and white mandala music-themed because I enjoy listening to music and playing the piano. The process of creating music can be intricate and complicating and I wanted my mandala to reflect this so I put a lot of detail into it. The design I chose for my mandala was a neat and organized aesthetic because while I wanted my mandala to look detailed, I didn’t want it to be messy and difficult to look at. I also chose this aesthetic so that the lines looked like they could be some kind of language or code describing the technical process of a complicated design for a musical piece.
My laser engraved mandala turned out exactly how I pictured it would. I am happy with the final result and I am satisfied with the material that I chose. I enjoyed doing all five parts of the mandala project and I hope to create more mandalas using the techniques I learned in the future.

Colored Mandala Artist Statement

Fantasy

I didn’t have any plan or idea of what I wanted my colored mandala to look like while I was creating it. I simply chose my favorite color combinations, drew what came to mind and trusted the process. For me, the end result looks like it came from some magical kingdom in a world of fantasy. It could also be a visual representation of the transition from winter to spring. Overall, I am pretty satisfied with the end result.

Photoshop Art

Another project I did in Digital Media is using Adobe Photoshop to create pastel and watercolor paintings. I learned how to use digital pastel and watercolor brushes and how to layer different effects to make photographed images look more like physical paintings.

Pastel Painting

When Pigs Fly

For this project, I decided to do a painting of a sculpture that I made out of clay in seventh grade. It is a golden pig with wings and it is meant to represent the idiom “when pigs fly”. The pig’s name is Pig of the Gold and this painting is dedicated to him. I am happy with the end result and I really enjoyed learning how to digitally paint with pastels using Photoshop. I hope to make more pastel paintings in the future.

Watercolor Painting

Portal

I did a watercolor painting of a magical portal. It started out as a colorful sky but I felt like the painting was too plain and simple and needed a subject or focus point so I started playing around with the different watercolor brushes and ended up illustrating something that looked like a portal to another dimension. I really enjoyed learning and experimenting with photoshop watercolors and I am happy with the end result.

Photoshop Watercolor Painting Effect

Peaceful Scenes

For this project, I chose three peaceful and quiet images that had a lot of contrasting colors. Learning how to make the watercolor effects was easier than I thought it would be and I really enjoyed creating them and seeing how they would change my original photos. I like how much control I have in how much I get to adjust and tweak each effect to my liking.

Watercolor Effects Adobe Photoshop Interfaces

Photoshop Compositing

Using Photoshop layers and effects and brush tools, I composited different photos to make it look like they belong in a single scene.

Photoshop Surrealism Composition

Mirror Identity

My surreal composition is a depiction of a mirror world or alternate dimension. I wanted it to look like a photograph of a colorful dream. The main protagonist of my world building struggles with having two different identities so I incorporated this concept into my surreal composition. I used six images in total and I am happy to say that I did not use any online images, I only used photos that I took. I also used a lot of blend modes to alter the colors of the photos so that they looked fictional. Overall, I am happy with the end result.

Animation

In Animation class, I learned how to use 3D programs including Autodesk Maya, Zbrush, and Substance 3D Painter to create 3D models, characters, and animations.

Maya Environment and Prop Modeling

One of the first things I learned was how to use Maya software to create an environment. I created two environments, a Greek temple scene and a table scene. This software taught me how to build a model using basic and simple 3D shapes.

Maya Prop Modeling

I also used Maya to build object models such as these fire hydrants.

Digital Sculpting

Next, I used Zbrush software to sculpt a 3D model of a human skull and an alien head. Zbrush doesn’t use basic shapes to build a model like Maya, it is more like sculpting with clay. There are different types of brushes that produce different effects to create textures, features, and any shape you want.

Rendered Table Scene

I created a second table scene using all three softwares; Maya, Zbrush, and Substance 3D Painter. The image below is my final rendered table scene that I colored using Substance 3D Painter.

Game Weapon Design

For this project, I had to design my own 3D weapon. I chose to create a war hammer, although it looks more like a decorative ceremonial piece than something that should be used in war. I built the basic weapon model in Maya, added details and polished the design using Zbrush, and added color and materials with Substance 3D Painter.

Character Design

The process of creating my character was the same as my weapon creation process. I used all three 3D softwares to create a well done and animatable character. I wanted my character to be rich and powerful but cute and humble. I also wanted them to be flashy and have a unique sense of style. I think I succeeded in giving my character all of these attributes.

Reflection

I am very grateful for everything I have learned in Animation class so far. Now I have experience in 3D animating and I know how to use multiple 3D programs. It has opened my eyes to how much time, energy, and dedication is put into creating and animating 3D models. I am excited to continue learning more about animating.