In this team project, I was mainly responsible for character design and modeling—from the initial concept sketches to the final 3D models. I also took part in creating visual effects for some of the shots, including scene compositing and adding dynamic elements. These tasks not only helped me improve my modeling and post-production skills, but also gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of each role in team collaboration, providing valuable experience for my future creative work.
Character design
The initial concept focused on the character’s descent into darkness, with an overall style leaning toward the dark and twisted. The plan was to collect and integrate elements such as fragmentation, glitches, and dislocation to create a chaotic and uncontrollable visual effect, enhancing both the emotional tension of the character and the narrative intensity of the piece.
Building on the initial design, the character was further developed to embody more monstrous features. Inspired by the conceptual approach of Silent Hill, the character’s inner negative emotions, trauma, and pain were visualized through a distorted and grotesque appearance, enhancing both psychological depth and visual impact. Unstable body structures, deformed facial features, and other unsettling details were used to create a strong sense of horror and oppression, thereby strengthening the overall expressiveness of the design.
Character modeling
- modeling
- material
Vision effect
During the production process, I used the Vellum Solver in Houdini for physics-based simulations, mainly to create realistic motion for cloth and soft-body objects. By adjusting constraint parameters and collision settings, I was able to achieve more natural and believable results, enhancing the realism and visual impact of the scene. This process not only improved my understanding of the Vellum system but also deepened my hands-on experience with dynamic simulations, laying a solid foundation for more complex effects in future projects.
Reflection
Through this group project, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of teamwork. Each member was responsible for different tasks—ranging from initial concept development, character design, modeling, and animation, to post-production. Everyone performed their roles well and worked collaboratively. Although we encountered some challenges, such as communication issues and delays in progress, we managed to overcome them by adjusting our plans and redistributing tasks, ultimately completing the project successfully.
In this project, I was mainly responsible for character design and modeling, and I also contributed to some of the visual effects. This not only helped me improve my technical skills but also taught me how to manage time effectively and coordinate with others under tight deadlines. In particular, the process of exchanging ideas with team members made me realize how important it is to think from multiple perspectives and to stay flexible when working on a collaborative creative project.
Overall, this group assignment provided valuable hands-on experience and strengthened my sense of responsibility and teamwork. I believe this experience will be a great asset to my future studies and creative work.