Contextual Research: How to Train Your Dragon (DreamWorks, 2010): In Progress...

CREATURE DESIGN: Methods for Designing Varied Sub-Species

How do Concept Artists design varied sub-species that are still recognisable as the original creature?

How to Train Your Dragon (DreamWorks, 2010) is an animated feature film based on the novel by Cressida Cowell (2003). The Concept Artists faced a challenge in designing a fresh take on dragons (Miller-Zarneke, 2010, p.17). The artists, including Nico Marlet, designed a variety of dragon species, shown below, each with unique characteristics.

The Red Death
Louis, D. (2010) Red Death Texture [digital paint]. Available at: http://livlily.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/how-to-train-your-dragon-2010-color.html (Accessed: 9 June 2014).

Toothless: The Night Fury
Otto, S. (2010) Toothless [pencil & marker]. Available at: http://www.artabase.net/exhibition/5582-designing-dreams-studio (Accessed: 9 June 2014).

Monstrous Nightmare
Marlet, N. and Wei, Z. (2010) Monstrous Final [digital paint]. Available at: http://howtotrainyourdragon.tumblr.com/post/62832390223/to-create-the-monstrous-nightmare-character (Accessed: 9 June 2014).

Gronckle
Marlet, N. (2010) Gronckle Wings [pencil & marker]. Available at: http://howtotrainyourdragon.tumblr.com/post/29421908330/for-the-gronckle-the-how-to-train-your-dragon (Accessed: 9 June 2014).

Deadly Nadder
Marlet, N. (2010) Astrid Concepts [pencil & marker]. Available at: http://howtotrainyourdragon.tumblr.com/post/60883272971/astrid-concepts-by-nico-marlet (Accessed: 9 June 2014).

Hideous Zippleback
Marlet, N. (2010) Two Headed [pencil & marker]. Available at: http://howtotrainyourdragon.tumblr.com/post/68198153255/the-hideous-zippleback-has-the-disadvantage-of-two (Accessed: 9 June 2014).

Terrible Terror
Marlet, N. (2010) Terror [pencil & marker]. Available at: http://muddycolors.blogspot.co.uk/2012_09_01_archive.html (Accessed: 9 June 2014).

The Dragons of Myth
Marlet, N. (2010) Multi-Eye Dragon [pencil & marker]. Available at: http://artofnicomarlet.tumblr.com/tagged/how-to-train-your-dragon (Accessed: 9 June 2014).

Project Specification

Research question/problem

Is it possible to develop a range of unique creature designs inspired by South Korean mythology?

Context of the project

South Korean mythology is a relatively untapped source of inspiration in Western popular culture. In comparison with Japanese mythology, for example, there is enormous potential to create a unique range of iconic imagery.

For the animated film, How to Train Your Dragon (2010) several unique species of dragon were developed by the Concept Artists. This research aims to take a similar approach with South Korean mythology as a starting point.

Objectives of the project:

to research South Korean mythology as a source of inspiration;

to investigate previous animations and games inspired by mythology;

to understand and explore the visualization techniques used to create varied creature designs;

to develop a unique visual style inspired by the folk paintings of South Korea;

to design and develop a range of creatures inspired by South Korean mythology;

to critically evaluate the outcome, using peer review sessions with fellow students and through feedback from professional online communities.

Expected end product(s)

The body of visual work will be presented in the form of an art book. In order to be a unique and engaging presentation, the art book will be organised as a ‘found journal’ to exist in the imaginary world of the animation/game.

Proposed process

Skills learnt during the taught phase of the Masters scheme will be exercised and developed. Also, professional techniques and methodologies will be planned and implemented as demonstrated by industry professionals met with during the Concept Art Practice module.

Participants

Ongoing feedback will be given by the Supervisor of this project, Nigel Kitching. Third party evaluation will be obtained from face-to-face and online meetings with twelve fellow students studying MA Concept Art for Games and Animation. A number of peers will be given opportunity to supply comments and criticism through professional online communities.

Justification for masters

The project can be considered to be at Masters level because of the intention to create work of a professional standard utilising a novel research area. Using South Korean Mythology as a starting point is a novel research aspect because it is a relatively untapped source of inspiration in Western popular culture. This project will hopefully produce an original and refreshing contribution to the fantasy genre of Concept Art.

The Korean Tiger

The first story, Dan-Gun, First Emperor of Korea, featured in Korean Folk-tales (Riordan, 1994, pp.1-3) describes the foundation myth of Korea. A bear and a tiger, who lived in a cave, were summoned by Hwan-Ung, The Heavenly Prince. He said to them:

"I have chosen you to become the first humans," he told them. "Here, take these twenty garlic bulbs and this mugwort plant; eat them and remain deep in your cave for a hundred days. When you emerge into daylight you will be man and woman."

Riordan (1994, p.2)

Initial Project Ideas

Is it possible to develop varied and unique creature designs based on South Korean mythology? South Korean mythology is a relatively untapped source of inspiration in Western popular culture. In comparison with Japanese mythology, for example, there is enormous potential to create a unique range of iconic imagery.

The intention of this Masters Project is to design a range of creatures based on the real world and mythical creatures that feature in South Korean mythology. The creatures could exist together in a closed ecosystem, such as an island for example. Several environments and key narrative moments, based on this closed ecosystem, will also be explored. The environments and key moments researched, together with the creature designs, will form visual development suitable for an animation or ‘indie’ game inspired by South Korean mythology.

The body of visual work will be presented in the form of an art book. In order to be a unique and engaging presentation, the art book will be organised as a ‘found journal’ to exist in the imaginary world of the animation / game.

Allowances will be made for development and changes to the plan that may occur during the creative process.