IM NOT DEAD!? ..I just have a full time job.

Hi people of the internet.

Its been quite some time since I wrote my last blog post.

For over a year and half now I've been working as a animator, Illustrator and motion designer for a small creative agency in Windsor. We worked on many client projects, some big and small to produce cool informative content for clients. But I digress a little.

I'm hoping to get my social media up and running again, with some usual experimental content to share for the people of the interwebs. Hooray!!!

Below was a piece I made just before getting hired by Salamandra.UK.

Walk cycle week - Duik.

This week, i focused on making a walk cycle using the Plugin Duik. A free bone rigging tool for After Effects.
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After alot of trial and error with rigging, I managed to make a walk cycle that looks convincing. I especially like the bendy legs, but they could use some more work to flow like the arms.

The main challenge was convincing the feet and legs to be touching the floor, which is evident from reflection in the shadow.

Although some difficulties with the plugin, I enjoyed the learning experience and i cant wait to apply it differently to other characters of different shapes and sizes.

Walk cycle development week.

This weeks focused on making a character to use for producing a walk cycle in after effects.

My plan is to use Duik, a free plugin for After Effects to animate this knight character below, which will be designed in photoshop and Illustrator.

DUIK PLUGIN - FREE

This is Fredrick. He is a notary knight who travels the world, signing deeds of peace to those who need it. His sword is made from the finest ink nib, given to him by the Earl of his realm. On his head is a bottle of ink; which is likes to carry there for safe keeping. And inside a giant bottle, tied to his back is a parchment for his next signing. Asked by his highness, he goes to places where her draws treaties with neighbouring countries, braving those kind and no so kind.

Like a turtle, he can hide inside his suit of armour and pretend to be a fancy pillar, when danger gets too much for him.

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Typography week. Traditional Logo design.

This week, I designed typography for my father to use for his music business.

Being a commercial artist when he was younger, I thought it would be appropriate to make it traditional. I wanted a contemporary look that suggested a professional but approachable feeling. 

Garry Bowler.

I took inspiration from my fathers skateboard.

I wanted whimsical.

Motion Graphic Week.

This week, I made some motion graphics using illustrator and After Effects.

Its not normally something I do, but I wanted a change in pace from the production of illustrative and 3D work. 

I utilised the Low-Poly mountain tutorial by Vincent from the Creative Dojo.net for wire-framing the background and combined the audio spectrum tutorial from Nick Wilt, to create the circular shape of the audio spectrum {I didn't know masks were that useful}

So, to Nick Wilt and Vincent from the creative dojo. I thank you.

It was my first time using colour adjusting, null objects, adjustment layers and Adobe Illustrator as well, so I was quite excited and impressed with the results I got.

The above gif was something I made on the spot, after being jazzed up from the audio-spectrum test. Its slicing in Illustrator, animated in after effects. Easy, but pleasing to look at.

Words are not needed, let....

A short 30 minute digital sketch break, based off of the sketches from yesterday

Morning sketches. Lightbulb astro-gents and Raccoon warriors.

A quick 40 minute morning idea session. For fun.