Design Brief 1: Emotive Character Interpretation
Artist Dave DeVries has explored the ideas of children and through his visualisation skills has help depict their ideas through his own translation, providing more clarity around their concepts. His work has been exhibited under the title the Monster Engine and is available online. Young children gain an insight of emotional understanding by the age of 5 or 6 and can interpret these in other children’s drawing (Misalidi & Bonoti 2008). However may not execute the artworks well enough that others can clearly see the intended expression. In addition some get confused about closely related expressions e.g. anxiety and depression (Bond 2009). In DeVries work, he interprets the expression and through the development of the character and the associated environment, echoes through the use of colour, he further defines these expressions. For this brief you are asked to conduct two stages of character development.

1. Visualisation of a child’s artwork
You must simply bring a sense of 3D form to the line work provided through a limited amount of design intervention and applied digital artwork in Alias Sketch Book pro or Photoshop. You may not change the shape of the line works but can interpret marks, add texture and complete missing line work as required.

2. 3D character development
You must explore your interpretation of the original artwork and associated descriptors. Develop the design in various ways moving away from the original artwork but captivating its most important or dominant concepts. Consider the emotional relationship you wish to capture (this should be evident in the sketchbook through images of other contextual influences).

Deliverables​

Discover​​

1. A4 hardback contextual sketchbook, which includes images of influences an

sketches of new character ideas.
2. A contextual blog documenting research relating to emotional connections
with characters and visual influences (record all references, visual and written
using Harvard)

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Define
1. Continued development if character form using A4 contextual sketchbook,
resolving form, features and posture.
2. A4 Geometric topology planning sketchbook. The models geometry should be
considered and includes screen shots of various attempts at modelling with
reflective comments and overlaid sketches correcting attempted geometry.

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Develop​
1. Concept renderings (Photoshop or Alias Sketchbook Pro) identifying product
features
2. Variations in solving the 3D form using polygonal model- A3 test renders
 Sketch models using Super Sculpey polymer clay may be explored.

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Deliver
1. 3D computer model (textured) of final design
2. A3 Rendering at 300dpi of final design printed and mounted on foamex.

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References
 Bond, L., 2009, Investigating the Spectrum of Emotions in Young Children
using Visual and Narrative Methodologies to gain an Insight into their
Emotional Perceptions, Unpublished, MDes Design and Communication
Thesis. (2009 Kaufman Fellowship)
Misailidi, P., and Bonoti, F.,2008, emotion in children's art: do young children
understand the emotions expressed in other children's drawings? Journal of
Early Childhood Research Vol 6: pp189-200