Animation: "The Cure"

Overview

A short sci-fi animation about two robots searching for a cure to save their human researcher, who has contracted a deadly virus of unknown origin.

Project Title: "The Cure"

Type of Project: Animation

Client/Personal Work: School Project

Date/Timeline: January 21 - May 5 2024

*ART admires a dramatic sunset from the laboratory window.*

Objective

Assignment Objectives

Personal objective:

My objective for this project was to create a unique and engaging experience by crafting a compelling narrative and designing characters that conveyed distinct personalities without dialogue. Additionally, I aimed to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of 3D modeling techniques, ensuring both technical skill and creative expression were showcased throughout the project.

Challenges:

One of the key challenges I encountered during this project was finding a balance between time constraints and maintaining high-quality work. Managing deadlines while ensuring attention to detail required careful prioritization and effective time management. By staying focused on key deliverables, I was able to meet project milestones without compromising on quality.

Roles and Responsibilities

Lighting:

The lighting design centers around the interior of the home base, where it makes the most significant impact. The opening scene features a dimly lit room with harsh, focused lighting, creating a sterile, cold, and unsettling atmosphere that evokes a sense of isolation. In contrast, other areas of the base benefit from natural sunlight streaming through the windows, casting a warm, orange hue that enhances the otherworldly ambiance I aimed to create.

Environment:

Initially, I envisioned a Mars-inspired environment, characterized by expansive and barren red sandscapes. However, after determining that the central character was a flora and fauna researcher, I recognized the need for a more diverse ecosystem to reflect the scope of their work. As a result, I reimagined the planet to feature a variety of distinct microbiomes, including small deserts, lush exotic forests, subterranean caverns, and oceans. The animation showcases two outdoor environments, along with the interior of the home base.

The home base serves both as a research facility and living quarters, requiring robust and functional construction. To reflect its dual purpose, I incorporated heavy, durable materials such as concrete, with thick walls and protective vestibules to ensure structural integrity and safety in this challenging environment.

Character Design:

My design philosophy centers around innovation, with a strong emphasis on both functionality and aesthetics. I believe in the beauty of imperfection, so I aimed to create a researcher character with realistic, asymmetrical features. This philosophy extends to the textures as well—particularly with the robots. I wanted them to appear worn and weathered, reflecting the passage of time and the lack of maintenance from their human caretaker. This adds a layer of realism, highlighting the challenges faced by the robots as the years pass.

Techniques and Tools