♕FIGURE IT OUT ♕
Prom Queen
•---------------------------------------------------------------•
RESEARCH
Goal
The overarching goal of this project is fostering international collaboration and interdisciplinary learning. Another objective of this project is to provide students with a hands-on learning experience that hones their technical skills in 3D design and printing.
It also promotes cultural understanding and challenges preconceived notions. Which is a fancy way of saying going against stereotypes that are found in these two cultures.
Personal goals
My goal for this project is to enhance my skills in 3D and getting comfortable in Blender. In the past, I always procrastinated my school projects which required Blender. I found the programm difficult to grasp and found it overwhelming. With this project I hope to enhance my 3D skills, maintain a profesional attitude, and maintaining stable communication with our American peers.
Personally I am rather excited to witness the cultural differences first-hand, and how communicating and working with the Americans will be.
Target Audience
Our target audience doesn’t seem to be linked to an age, but seems to rely more on our nationalities. The projects focus is on going against these stereotypes by making action figures, the stereotypes in question being Dutch and American.
Demands
For our project there are a few demands we must meet.
3d action figure made in Blender
Illustrator/Photoshop designed figure packaging
Final International Collaboration presentation
This is a list of the literal materialistic demands of the project. The project also demands good communication between our American peers, as the time zone differences can make this difficult. And of course, be respectful towards the difference in cultures, and the norms and values.
Questions
Is our action figure tied to a theme? Which theme?
Do we have a triangle / faces limit? What number?
How will the time zone difference be managed during the project?
Will both the American and Dutch student make one action figure and model it in Blender? Or will the students divide the work?
•---------------------------------------------------------------•
BRAINSTORMING
For the concept designs of our action figures, I looked at historical fashion for both America and The Netherlands. I also made a list with some stereotypes usually associated with these two nations.
AMERICA
After presenting the materials I gathered, my American peer and I decided to proceed with the Dutch stereotypes. However, as I began sketching concept designs, I found myself enjoying the American stereotypes much more. I had greater inspiration, and the designs flowed more easily. Ultimately, I created three American concept designs and two Dutch ones.
•---------------------------------------------------------------•
CONCEPT DESIGNS
When creating the first sketches, I began with my usual style. However, I encountered a heavy art block and wasn’t satisfied with the result. Later, I made some sketches at home in a completely different style from my usual approach. I decided to adopt this new style for the project, as this style had much simpler shapes and less complexity.
I made a note of this decision, as I was keen on taking the 3D modeling responsibility upon myself because we were informed by our teachers that our American peers had never undertaken any 3D work themselves.
After changing the art style for this project, the concepts designs started to come.
Remember when I said I would focus on historical clothing? Me neither.
I decided to create a Milanote with a to-do list and the concept designs. The concept phase felt like an individual project, rather than a collaborative one.
After creating these 5 concepts, my American partner had yet to deliver any work. The communication felt awkward and wasn’t really getting anywhere. I tried to initiate some communication but was met with little to no reaction.
I decided to create a Milanote with a to-do list and the concept designs. The concept phase felt like an individual project, rather than a collaborative one.
While talking this through with my teacher, I made the decision to assign the packaging task to my American, and assign myself the 3D modelling task.
After this little obstacle, I choose the Prom Queen concept as I felt most connected with this design.
