Learning Agreement Norwich University College of the Arts Learning Agreement Course & Unit number: BA Games Art

and Design BA7/8 Name: Jake Masham

Proposal:

After visiting Ely cathedral I realised I could base a project on the movement of natural light within the cathedral, this would allow me to learn new lighting techniques and strengthen my 3D portfolio. I plan to create multiple fixed 3D scenes of interesting views in the cathedral and also try to explain how the history of the building has affected its architecture. For this project I will research into the history of Ely cathedral to gain an understanding of the content I will need to create, such as the series of archways, columns and also the artwork throughout the structure. I will focus in on interesting elements of the building such as the lantern that funnels light into the centre of the cathedral and also the labyrinth which is a detailed floor pattern, that when followed equals the same distance to the ceiling above. The thorough research into lighting techniques required by this project will help me gain skills useful for all elements of my 3D work. This should be of great gain as I am trying to make my portfolio open to all areas of 3D art and design. I will also be setting myself my a personal task in this project of to trying to explain at a fundamental level what my work entails, as my Grandfather has struggled to understand that I can still be creative and make things even though my work is now mostly digital. I would like to try to show him some of the processes and stages of construction that 3D artists follow when creating digital scenes. Light and how artists have represented it? Working title - Reflective report Explore classical paths such as light within different art styles from expressionism through to early photography and how light has always been an ideal that artists can manipulate to suit the tone of their work. I will follow this through to more modern works such as film and digital media and how new restraints affect the outcomes of light in these works. This report will be done parallel to my studio work research but focus more on the creative and artistic uses of light in works throughout the ages, whilst my studio work will state explanations of why certain techniques are used in digital works.

Assessment Work:

I plan to create a fully textured and lit, 3D scene of the damages to the cathedral before the lantern was built and then a comparison demonstrating how the light changed after the construction. The scene will be of a fixed position, with some simple animation to bring the scene to life. The finished work should contain historically correct (where possible) architecture and express how the event of the roof collapse affected the lighting in the cathedral. I also create a digital version of the labyrinth and present it with an explanation into its design. Along side this I will submit a development document which contains my research and shows how I have planned out my project in BA7. As part of the development document I will be giving a 10 minute presentation in front of my tutors and peers which will contain more visual content and express what I will be doing for my final submission in BA8.

Schedule of Work:

Week 1 - Starting 7/10/2013 Planning of idea and research into elements of the cathedral - This will give me some idea of what I can do with the environment and how I may go about it, the main aim of this is to gain interesting knowledge of the building and its history.

Week 2 - Starting 14/10/2013 Continued planning and research - I will use the information gathered by this point to create my pitch. Preparation, creation and delivery of elevator pitch - This will be my first point of contact about my project to the tutors, this will allow them to get an overview of what I plan to do and give me feedback on which direction I should move in.

Week 3 - Starting 21/10/2013 Meeting with MC - This is to discuss my project in more depth and hopefully receive some feedback, this will be the point where I start to define what I will create in the project. Research into lighting techniques - I will be looking into how I will light my scenes, this is will be an overlook in which I will start to gather sources. Group tutorial - Another chance to convey my project to the tutors and explain what I have gather thus far. I will try to discuss the lighting in my project at this point.

Week 4 - Starting 28/10/2013 Sound workshop - In this scheduled session I will get an induction into sound processes. FX lighting/rendering research - I will be exploring sources of digital lighting and rendering, this will be a technical exploration with the aim to teach me some processes that I can test with the aim to find a suitable system. Lighting tests - From my FX research I will create some basic tests ready to be reviewed by my tutors at the 3D drop in and learn which route is the most suitable. GameSalad workshop - This will teach me basics within GameSalad.

Week 5 - Starting 4/11/2013 Visit to Ely cathedral - I plan to map out what I will need to build, this will entail reference images and sketches of the layout. My aim from this visit is to work out how much of the cathedral I can construction and duplicate. Group tutorial - I will present my lighting tests and my findings from the visit earlier in the week. The focus will be on the technical aspects of my project. GameSalad workshop - This will teach me basics within GameSalad.

Week 6 - Starting 11/11/2013 Further exploration into lighting - I will be making larger more thorough tests hoping to develop my skills in preparation towards the final. Asset tests - Test construction of arches, this is to give me a base of how to create the scene and will also be useful for testing the lights. Texture consideration/construction - At this point I will be gathering and creating textures for the scene, this will help me when I start construction in BA8.

Week 7 - Starting 18/11/2013 Focus on CS research report - Ready for draft submission date of 22/11/2013

Week 8 - Starting 25/11/2013 Presentation construction - This will be a 10 minute presentation of my research and plans for my project in BA8, ready for submission date of 29/11/2013

Week 9 - Starting 2/12/2013 Presentation - Date to be announced Continued work on Asset tests - This will give me time to work on assets such as the lantern, which should help me when approaching the final build in BA8.

Week 10 - Starting 9/12/2013 Directed study - I will use this time to finish and polish work and prepare any other work that I will need to do over the Christmas period. CS and Studio work feedback - This will give me feedback on my presentation and draft research report.

*Christmas break*

Week 11 - Starting 6/01/2014 Construction of arches - This will be the start of the building of the main scene, I will call on my earlier tests to help build the arches efficiently. CS tutorial - To discuss any issues with my research report.

Week 12 - Starting 13/01/2014 Sound workshop 3D drop in session - Feedback on the current progress of construction.

Week 13 - Starting 20/01/2014 Lecture on BA8 - on date of 20/01/2014. Group teaching CS - At this point I will discuss my progress with my research report. 3D drop in session - Another chance to show my progress and discuss any issues. Group tutorial - Another chance to show my progress and discuss any issues.

Week 14 - Starting 27/01/2014 Lecture on BA8 - on date of 27/01/2014. Group tutorial - I will present my progress in the build. 3D Drop in

Week 15 - Starting 3/02/2014 Lecture on BA8 - on date of 3/02/2014. Final cut induction - This session should help me learn the basics of final cut and aid me in the creation of my showreel. Texturing of constructed assets - At this point I will start texting my assets, using the test and samples I made earlier.

Week 16 - Starting 10/02/2014 Lecture on BA8 - on date of 10/02/2014. Final cut induction - This session should help me learn the basics of final cut and aid me in the creation of my showreel. Group tutorial 3D drop in - Feedback on current textures

Week 17 - Starting 17/02/2014 No scheduled sessions - Continue work on textures and assets.

Week 18 - Starting 24/02/2014 Lecture on BA8 - on date of 24/02/2014. Final cut induction - This session should help me learn the basics of final cut and aid me in the creation of my showreel. Group tutorial

Lighting - I will begin to set up the lighting in my scene, this will be an on going project that will be greatly affected by my work in BA7.

Week 19 - Starting 3/03/2014 Lecture on BA8 - on date of 3/03/2014. Final cut induction - This session should help me learn the basics of final cut and aid me in the creation of my showreel. Group tutorial - I will present what stage I am at with the lighting in my scene, receiving feedback from tutors and peers.

Week 20 - Starting 10/03/2014 Lecture on BA8 - on date of 10/03/2014. Continue lighting work

Week 21 - Starting 17/03/2014 3D drop in - This session I will be asking for feedback on my lighting and with this and my research and tests, tweaking the lighting.

Week 22 - Starting 24/03/2014 Sound workshop Individual tutorial - I will present and discuss my work so far.

Week 23 - Starting 31/03/2014 Group tutorial Creation of small nCloth animations - These will be subtle dynamic cloth effects that will be placed into my scene to give it more life. Prepare any work for Easter break.

*Easter break*

Week 24 - Starting 28/04/2014 Final compiling of assets - This will be for both of my main scenes and will lead to the final piece. Test renders Week 25 - Starting 5/05/2014 Sound workshop Creation of labyrinth mesh - This will be a far more simple mesh and should be quick to create. Mapping and texturing of labyrinth. Group tutorial

Week 26 - Starting 12/05/2014 False deadline - This will be the point where I stop the main work and fine tune my project for submission. I will start to organise my folders. This will allow me time to fine tune and fix any issues.

Week 27 - Starting 19/05/2014 No scheduled sessions - I will continue to fine tune and prepare my work for submission. SUBMISSION - On the date of 23/05/2014.

Resource requirements:

3D drop in sessions Final cut workshops Trips to Ely cathedral (set up personally) CGtuts+ Discussions with George/Mark about dynamic lighting and day cycles in Maya

Tutor's comments:

Learning Agreement agreed and signed by: Course Leader: Unit Leader/Tutor: Student: Date: Date: Date: