Senior Project for concept art portfolio?

[Ian Barker]

So this semester I have my senior project class, which besically means I get to choose a big project and work on it all semester (and next year actually since I'm a junior). I want to be a concept artist (hmm, a wannabe concept artist, where have we seen that before...) so I need to choose a project that would be appropriate for that. Something that will get me hired at Massive Black or some badass place like that. :)

At first I thought I would do a graphic novel. I like to write stories and draw characters, I'd have an opportunity to show some environments, some storyboarding ability, lots and lots of different character poses... But I want to make sure that is my best option. Another possibility is just to do something like The Skillful Huntsman and simply create a world and not worry about a plot too much. It might be a more direct way to speak to clients/employers than a graphic novel would be, and it would save me a lot of time... instead of planning panels I would be drawing characters/creatures, etc. Another thing is that I tend to get sick of my ideas a week after I start them... I'm not sure why. But in any case it might be easier on me to go with an open world than to have to live with a story that I'm bound to eventually hate.

Anyways, I just wanted to hear some input on those two ideas, or if there are any other ideas that would be even better. Thanks very much in advance!

[LostFayth]

You could do what I'm going to do in my senior year:

First you have to know Pixars' way of creating stories. It has three aspects: World, character and story. I'm sure other studios create their stories like this as well.

So think about a world. Make it as detailed as you can: Charts, maps, descriptions of different areas, history etc. After that think of the characters that would live in the world: Races, individuals, you name it. What you will have is a world and it's characters. Now it's the time to make up a story which ties everything together. Since you like to do that most...well go crazy.

Before you do that make sure to set up your goals first. Example: 1 world, 4 area's, 5 races with their own classes and 3 characters per race. That alone gives you lots of stuff to think about; World: Description, history, technology, time(, culture) Area: Description, history, who live here, what live here. Race: Description, looks, history, culture, technology, religion, habitat. Character: Description, personality, class, profession etc etc. This is something you could do easily in the next semester. (Guess what I'm probably gonna do :P)

You could go as wild as you want to. Think of creatures that live in the world per area, weapons and costumes per class/race. That's all in the concept stage.

If you have your story you could draw the story beats. Draw each essential part of the story you made up and draw them full page. Don't do it in storyboards (well...you could of course, it's up to you). I recommend watching Visual Storytelling by Iain McCaig (http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/product/157/Visual-Storytelling-with-Iain-McCaig-Vol.1) (Maybe even the rest of 'em as well.)
It helped me a lot understanding how he does his storytelling and how I could do my own story(telling) in my senior year.

You will have your senior year to visualize every concept. Al though I recommend trying to do it in the next semester even in the summer holidays. The more you have, the more you can develop your story and its visuals.

Well...that's briefly what I'm planning to do ;) Good luck with finding what you want to do ;)

[rpace]

If you've never written AND drawn a comics story of any decent length before, your senior project is a bad place to start.

A development project, as your suggested The Skillful Hunstman aproach, is a better idea as it's more compartmental, allowing you to redo or change parts without pulling the whole thing apart.

best of luck,

~R

[Kraus]

I remember i had a project deciding my fate in the job market. I freaked and made many works of different variety (from graphic design to 3D), anything to maximise my employability... Boy i learned the hard way.

I suggest figuring out exactly what kind of concept art you want to show. Painting skills alone don't cut it anymore. You need to specialise, whether character art, environment art or etc..

But for me character illustrations on some blotch background are lame, and so are dead stale environments. If i was to apply as a concept artist i'd deffinetly make few very strong pieces that combine a character doing something in an environment with some striking perspective.. Environment, character, and shot planning all in one...and on top of that i'd make the character smack in the middle of doing something that shows good sense of movement and gesture.

Basicly a screenshot in action from whatever project the art is for (videogame or movie)

[Ian Barker]

Thanks guys, this is really helpful. It would indeed be my first time, rpace, and that in addition to several other factors pretty much has me decided against the graphic novel idea.

Here's an idea I'd like to bounce off you folks... What if I did a documentary of sorts? It would in a way combine the panels and the straight up conept art. The most obvious example would be to follow an intergalactic explorer has he explores various planets... I could easily show his mini-adventures through brief paneled sections and take breaks to show his documents of research, i.e. the concept art. That idea needs some refining and probably a more unique premise, but how would youg guys feel about that basic idea?

[Irishdrunk]

Ah, I'm starting my senior project next semester. I'll just be doing story boards and a quick little animatic.

I don't know how your school does things. But we basically have to appeal to a panel of judges. So it can't be too complicated, or overly complex. Or it will go over the judges' heads. They're probably not looking for the next concept artist that shows unique style/ideas. But just a competent HS graduate.

And a tip from one of my English teachers; a 10 min presentation that demands 5mins of questions is easier for everyone than a drawn out 15min presentation. As in, don't blurt everything out, give them something to ask about. Since interaction may be part of the score.

[Ian Barker]

This is actually my college project... yikes, being a college senior scares me just thinking about it. I really regret not having found this site sooner, I wasted a lot of time in HS. Anyways, as far as I know there won't be a presentation specifically for the project, but we do have a senior art show in which every senior (usually a class of around 30 in the art department) sets up a booth in the art building and shows off his/her stuff, of which the senior project takes prominence. I might print mine off in a book format through blurb or something.

[Zapp!]

Here's an idea I'd like to bounce off you folks... What if I did a documentary of sorts? It would in a way combine the panels and the straight up conept art. The most obvious example would be to follow an intergalactic explorer has he explores various planets... I could easily show his mini-adventures through brief paneled sections and take breaks to show his documents of research, i.e. the concept art. That idea needs some refining and probably a more unique premise, but how would youg guys feel about that basic idea?

If you haven't already, take a look at Exodyssey http://www.exodyssey.com/

Its a pretty similar idea to what you're talking about. It tells the story of someone leaving Earth, but it is almost concept art with a few storyboards.

Something like that would be good for you to do as you can show off character design, environments and storyboards etc while telling a story. But you wouldn't have to worry about writing lots and lots (which leaves more time for drawing and painting).

[Ian Barker]

If you haven't already, take a look at Exodyssey http://www.exodyssey.com/

Its a pretty similar idea to what you're talking about. It tells the story of someone leaving Earth, but it is almost concept art with a few storyboards.

Something like that would be good for you to do as you can show off character design, environments and storyboards etc while telling a story. But you wouldn't have to worry about writing lots and lots (which leaves more time for drawing and painting).

I've been eyeing that book for a long time actually, but have never gotten around to putting aside the cash for it. It looks like I'm going to have to now. :)

edit: just watched the trailer and my money is now emptying from my wallet :O

[Zapp!]

get it. I got it for christmas and I love it. There are so many awesome pictures in it