Connecting the Dots

Velvet Narcissus

Chinese. Gothic. Vampire. Musician.

These were the four words I remember pitching for my first ever concept design assignment. The title Velvet Narcissus is actually the band name created for the character's backstory.

In my mind a musician is in some ways a performer, so I wanted to have the character dress a little more flamboyantly. 

Much of the initial inspiration taken was from fashion of 80's goth subculture, as well as Harajuku streetwear to study the blend of punk and East Asian motifs (Harajuku styles also featured heavy layering which suited the vampire aspect of the design).  I also tried incorporating animal motifs like a bird or spider when sketching to explore more silhouettes I could think of to make it seem more fantasical.

The assignment brief required a vehicle design so it was definitely an interesting challenge to think of one. Whilst thinking of a 'tour bus', the direction I initially wanted was more grungy (as seen in the top left) but I was advised to opt for something more chic-looking instead. 

A vintage vehicle was used here as a callback for the expensive hobby of collecting old car designs whilst juxtaposed with a semi-militaristic 'funeral van' at the back to subtly remind one of the violent nature of a vampire.

I wanted to explore beyond the idea that blood was a food source for a vampire and instead was like a literal experimental drug with dedicated spaces to enjoy it. Hence, a blood bong bar.

Whilst thinking of what could look Chinese and Gothic at the same time I tried referencing Chinoiserie interior design styles for the 'East meets West' fusion as well as speakeasy bars located in my home country Malaysia. 

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Whilst creating this IP there were a lot of 'firsts' when it came to experience and hence my technical skills were still lacking. However the process of creating these designs were very fun and I would happily come back to enhance it in the future when I've better improved myself.

Time to Go

A collaborative concept design project.

Plot: A young Tibetan girl who is in search of her missing father in a spiritual cave discovers something else working deep within.

While most of the project's story was centered within an underground cave we also came up with an environment design for 'above' the cave. In the end we came up with a tree that has a hole directly under (cave entrance).

To note the spiritual aspect I looked into Tibetan symbols and found the Mandala symbol very fitting to shape the tree trunks into as it was reminiscent of 'lucky' Bamboo stalks in Feng Shui.

We also had a Shaman character which lived around the tree so this was an additional environment done to imagine where the Shaman's hut would be. Much of Tibetan architecture was more square and less organic-looking and tents did not fit the idea that the character would permanently live there, so I referenced the look of spiritual items Tibetans used like ghost traps instead to form the 'hut'.

Matte Painting

Each person was tasked to create a creature design so I had made one for the Shaman character again. As the environment above was an island with an enormous tree I thought it would be interesting to have a water-based creature which could act as a form of transport for the Shaman as they are old. 

Whilst thinking of how to make the tortoise feel and look more ancient, I began looking at Dzi and Chinese Dynasty glass bead designs which felt like a good organic pattern to incorporate to it's design. Some beads also looked rather similar to the textured, bumpy look of a tortoise shell! 

Illustrations

A Keyart done for a final year collaborative film project.

Personal Work. Was initially a repaint of an old assignment.

Study