Environment design GCD61904/Project 1
Environment design
GCD61904/Project 1
LIU CHENG RUI (0370930)
GCD61904/Environment design/ Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
INSTRUCTION
Project 1
week1
In the first week, Mr. kannan explained the tasks and requirements of this module to us. After that, we need to find Moodboards and references to design our own buildings.
I chose two types of buildings, namely tribes and steam cities.
Fig1.1 tribes moodboards
week2
This week, Mr. kannan told us about a series of methods such as structural design and value design that can be used in creation, and encouraged us to try them out by ourselves. So I chose the tribe as the main building to make a simple drawing.
Fig2.1 Mountain City
This design is inspired by mountain tribes. I want to express a sense of the integration of architecture and nature. The main hall of the entire tribe is built at the highest point, symbolizing the center of faith and power. The surrounding buildings are distributed layer by layer, forming a structure from the core to the periphery.
This design is a scene built on buried ground. I want to create a desolate and mysterious feeling. The building was constructed with the bones of a giant beast, like a relic left by time. Those exposed bone spurs and curved angular structures make the entire space look both sacred and somewhat oppressive.
week3
Fig3.1 thumbnails
Fig3.2 silhouettes with value
Fig3.3 composition 1
Fig3.4 composition with value 2
Fig3.5 composition 3
Fig3.6 composition 4
Fig3.7 composition 5
week4
This week, I explored the value of the previous composition. At the same time, it constructs a narrative for the building and explains how tenants, residents or the community will use this space, etc.
The following are the design concepts, narratives, cultural backgrounds, etc
Design concept
My exterior scene is set in a desert forgotten by time, where the remains of ancient dragons are scattered. The building is constructed on top of the keel, symbolizing the process of survival and reconstruction of humanity or later civilizations between nature and mysterious forces. The entire design intention is to express the theme of "the order reborn in the vanished giant beast civilization".
Structurally, my building adopts high platforms supported by keels and tent-like structures, which not only reflect the reuse of natural debris but also convey the spirit of human adaptation and reverence for nature in extreme environments.
Design Narrative
Deep in the endless desert, the wind and sand bury the remains of a group of long-fallen dragons. The local tribe calls this area "The Resting Sands of the Ancients". They believe that these dragons have not truly died but are sleeping beneath the sand, protecting the humans still living on the wasteland.
The buildings of the tribe are constructed with the keel as the core, and their forms follow the curved trend of the bones, echoing the wind direction in the desert. the main Hall in the center is located in the chest cavity of the largest Dragon skeleton and is called "the Hall of the Dragon's Heart" - this is the center of sacrifice, healing and spiritual guidance. The tribal elders held a ceremony in the Dragon Heart Hall, using fire and sand as the medium to communicate with the dragon spirit and pray for the balance between the storm and vitality.
The surrounding spiky structures are a combination of keel and artificial structures, serving both as a symbol of defense and faith. At dusk, the residents lit the bonfires among the bones, sang the song of the dragon, and told the story of the "symbiosis and protection" contract between the people and the giant dragon.
Cultural Context Integration
Symbolized architecture
The architectural structure imitates the shape of animal bones, echoing the belief in Indian culture that "all things in nature have spirits". The sharp-shaped components symbolize the power and protection of the totem.
Ritualistic spatial layout
The central circular space reflects the Indians' reverence for the "circle" - which represents harmony, the cycle of life, and the balance of heaven and earth.
Material and color
I plan to use natural tones such as earthy red, ochre and dark brown in the subsequent renderings to convey the connection between the land and the bloodline. Details such as woven textures and bone pattern engravings can be added.
Social and spiritual functions
Architecture is not merely a residence; it is the core of faith and community cohesion, reflecting the value of "the collective is above the individual" in Indian culture.
Fig4.1 value explore 1
Fig4.2 vignette 1
After finishing all these, I will delve deeper into the compositions I made last week and complete their values.
Fig4.3 value explore 2
Fig4.4 value explore 3
Fig4.5 value explore 4
Fig4.6 value explore 5
week5
This week, Mr. kannan showed us how to build the external landscape platform of the building and the environment of different shots.
First of all, I tried coloring according to the tutorial demonstrated by the teacher in class on how to build an external landscape.
Since my building is constructed in the desert and its shape resembles tribal houses, I chose a more suitable color.
Fig5.1 Simple coloring
After that, I tried arranging different compositions based on kannan's suggestions to explore the best visual representation.
Fig5.2 Composition 1
Fig5.4 People who Live There
Finally, I attempted to conceive each part of my building.
Fig5.5 Door Design Sketches
Fig5.6 Wall Design Sketches
Fig5.7 Column Design Sketches
week6
In this week's class, Mr. kannan showed us how to do color changes and photobashing exercises.
Mr. kannan believes that the shape of my building needs to be modified. He suggests that I could connect some parts of the building with the wings of a dragon, or replace the structure of the building with bones, etc. After listening to the gentleman's suggestions, I made some revisions.
Fig6.1 The modified building shape
IntroductionThe main frame of the tent is supported by a complete dragon skeleton. The dragon's spine runs through the main body of the building, and the ribs on both sides bend to support the roof, just like a natural arch beam. The dragon's horns were fixed at the top, forming a sharp and imposing outline of bone spurs, making the entire tent look like a sleeping giant dragon.
The roof and walls were covered with thick animal skins and scale-like fabrics, and in some places, they were reinforced with thick ropes and wooden stakes, retaining obvious traces of manual sewing.
Because my building has changed, I have modified the relevant cultural background and so on.
The core of tribal culture
This building fully embodies the profound tribal cultural spirit. The main body is constructed from the bones of a giant dragon, symbolizing the tribe's reverence for power, nature and ancient creatures. The keel is not only a structural material but also a symbol of power and glory. Members of the tribe expressed their worship of victory and ancestral spirits by hunting dragons and building structures with their remains, while also demonstrating their belief in conquering nature and drawing strength.
Environment and lifestyle
The building is located in a desert canyon area, surrounded by towering rock walls and sandy terrain. This environment reflects the tribe's lifestyle of living by nomadism and hunting. They survive on land with scarce resources and build temporary or semi-permanent camps using keels, animal skins, wooden poles and flags. The color tones are mainly red, brown and golden yellow, presenting a passionate, tenacious and wild atmosphere of life.
Symbols and spiritual beliefs
The keel architecture was also the power and faith center of the tribe. Flags and patterns represent different clans, military achievements and totem beliefs. The dragon is regarded as the supreme creature. Its bones have been transformed into part of the architecture, symbolizing that the tribe has inherited the power and protection of the dragon. This place is not only a venue for chieftain meetings and warrior gatherings, but also a sacred space for holding sacrificial ceremonies and celebrations, reflecting the tribe's shared worship of strength and spiritual inheritance.
Design Narrative
The inspiration for this building comes from the lifestyle and belief system of desert tribes. I wanted to create a space symbolizing power and spiritual inheritance, so I took the skeleton of a dragon as the main structural element. For the tribe, the dragon represents power, protection and the blessing of ancestral spirits, and building houses with dragon bones symbolizes the human belief in drawing energy from nature and continuing glory.
The scene is set between a scorching canyon and sandy land, where rocks and sunlight interweave to create a rich orange-red hue, crafting a primitive and tense atmosphere. The tribal members on this land centered on hunting and sacrifice. They used all the materials they could obtain - keels, animal skins, curtains and wooden poles - to build gathering places that were both powerful and symbolic.
The entire building is not only the central hall of the tribe, but also like a temple of memorial and faith. Flags and totems tell the history of the ethnic group. The curves of the framework extend the resilience of life. The rough texture and natural colors jointly create a sense of mystery in the wilderness. Through this design, I hope to convey the spirit of the tribe that still adheres to its beliefs, respects nature and passes on its strength in a difficult environment.
Cultural Context Integration
The inspiration for this building comes from tribal cultures around the world. I want to create a space that is both wild and spiritually symbolic. The main body of the building is constructed with the bones of a giant dragon. For the tribe, the dragon symbolizes power, protection and the blessing of ancestral spirits. Building the hall with the keel is not merely for survival; it is more like an extension of faith - symbolizing the strength they draw from nature and paying tribute to their ancestors.
When designing the cultural background, I referred to the lifestyle of the nomadic people in Mongolia and Central Asia - they lived in vast deserts and grasslands and were accustomed to building temporary dwellings with natural materials. That rough yet practical feeling is very much in line with the atmosphere I want to convey. At the same time, I also incorporated elements of Nordic Vikings and shamanic culture, such as totem worship and sacrificial ceremonies, adding an extra layer of mystery to the building. As for the colors and decorations, they were inspired by the African savanna tribes - flags, patterns and bright colors make the entire space more vibrant.
For me, this "Dragon Bone Tribe Hall" is not merely a building, but a symbol of the tribal spirit. It integrates the characteristics of different cultures, featuring the tenacity of nomadic civilizations, the spirituality of shamanic beliefs, and the visual energy of African tribes. I hope that viewers can feel that primitive, pure and faist-filled power - a life attitude of coexistence between humans and nature, with faith at its core.
Based on the modifications, I placed the building in different environments and practiced creating atmosphere pictures by using different colors.
Fig6.2 Ambience 1 Sunset Desert
Fig6.3 Ambience 2 A quiet and deep cave
Fig6.5 Ambience 4 Eerie deep blue
Finally, I chose to use the first Ambience image - Sunset Desert - to create Photobanshing.
Fig6.5 Photobashing
FEEDBACK
week2
Mr. kannan told me that you could give it a try and test its environment. Be sure to figure out what kind of environment you want your building to be in. Is it a mountain range or something else?
week3
You did some perspective exercises, which is great. But be aware that the horizon positions of some of your perspective exercises are incorrect, including vanishing points. Regarding your project 1, you can choose one from the two sketches.
week5
Since your building is constructed on the desert, you can try to compose it from different perspectives, as well as who lives in your building and who lives there.
week6
Mr. kannan believes that the shape of my building needs to be modified. He suggests that I could connect some parts of the building with the wings of a dragon, or replace the structure of the building with bones, etc.
REFLECTION
Experience
In this project, my greatest experience was learning how to plan a complete environmental design from scratch instead of drawing randomly. Before, when doing exercises, I was more about trial and error, but this time I truly realized the importance of early planning and reference collection. After clarifying the theme, I found that the subsequent color, composition and light selection all had a clearer direction, and it was also easier to unify the atmosphere of the picture. This process made me realize that environmental design is not merely a visual presentation, but also the accumulation of thinking and decision-making - every step is supported by logic.
Observation
I find that the control of light and tone really determines the overall atmosphere of the work. When I first started drawing, I only paid attention to the details, but later I found that light and shadow are the parts that can most affect the audience's emotions. Different times, light source directions, and color temperatures will all make the scene tell different stories. Another finding is that appropriate simplification can make the picture more powerful. More details are not necessarily better; the key is to highlight the main points.
Findings
I have observed that in this project, I have gradually developed a style tendency. For instance, I like to combine real architectural structures with fantasy elements to make the pictures more distinctive. At the same time, I pay more attention to narrative logic - each environment should have its own story and atmosphere, rather than just visual presentation. This made me realize that in the future, I want to move towards more narrative scenarios and tell stories through the environment.
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