The document summarizes the student's process for their final major project (FMP) creating props for a stop motion video based on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild game. They decided on this project due to COVID restrictions requiring a home-based project. They conducted research on prop makers, existing products, and their target audience. Production took a week and included sculpting and painting clay props. While happy with the overall quality, the student notes areas for improvement like paint mixing and adding more details. Comparing their props to the original game designs and other products showed successes in accuracy but also opportunities to enhance realism and movement.
2. Why I decided to make this product
When thinking about what I wanted to do at first I was quite stuck as I am interested in a lot of different things,
so I could’t decide on what to do. So in the end I asked for my form tutors help and we decided on creating a
stage design.
The concept for my final product was to make some props that would be used in a short stop motion video
based on legend of Zelda: breath of the wild game. I decided to base it off a task in the game where the player
goes around looking for korok seeds (that they can use to expand their inventory space).
The reason I decide to make props for my FMP are for 2 main reasons. Firstly because of covid, I needed to
make something I could do at home or at college, and sine I don’t have software I would need to make a video
or print project, making something physical was a good way to go. The second reason is because I want to
become a prop maker. I also could’t make a whole set design since I didn't have enough time left time for
production.
3. Contextual research
In contextual research I focused on gathering background information on
people that inspire me and that. I wrote about their lives, morals and
works and how that'll all could influence my work. This helped me to be
more confident going into this project and gave me some inspiration for
what I could have potentially done for my final project
I think this research lacked in looking into the audiences reaction to
the practitioner and their works. I did touch on the audience. A few
times but I feel as though I could have further analyzed it. I also
struggled when it came to finding a third practitioner.
Because at this stage we were still in lockdown I really struggled to get
this work done. Being constantly at home and not at college/in a
working environment really effected my motivation to do the work.
This meant that I became pretty behind with work.
4. Research When I got to doing my research we were all back in college. I was able to
get my work done a faster then at home and to a better standard. However I
was still behind schedule.
My research looking into my target audience went really well, I managed to
gather a good amount of information that really helped me to get a better
idea of what my target audience looked like. One thing that really helped me
was looking at the successful existing products and the reviews under them.
By analyzing this I could identify what exactly my target audience likes and
dislikes, and eventually started to see similarities such as how much they
appreciate attention to detail.
Whilst the target audience research went well, my research into existing
products could have been better. I think my analysis was not that well
written and there was a lot more I could have added such as their
effectiveness on the audience or the materials. However I don’t think doing
this would have had an effect on the outcome on my final product
I also added in production research whilst in I was in production as there
were some thigs that I needed to research such as what types of clays and
paints I could use.
5. Problem solving
I identified potential problems I could face whilst in production (both practical and theoretical) and a way to counter
them in problem solving.
I also did an experiment to test if I would face any of these potential problem or new problems. For my experiment I
made a prop model of a cake. I did this since I already had all the materials I needed for the project and I wasn't sure
on what exactly I was going to make yet.
The benefits of doing this experiments were that I was able to see note on the problems I faced and how I could
improve on this in production.
A negative is that in the end I didn't use any of the materials I used in experiments. However this wasn't too much of I
problem since I still got experience at prop making and that itself gave me more confidence going into making my
props .
6. planning
When I started planning I was still unsure about what exactly I was going to make, so I had to use that time to decide on a
final idea. I needed to consider the amount of time I had left to make my product, because I was so behind on my work
before it meant that I had less time o get production done. which is why I decided that I would only make the props and not
the whole set.
I really focused on setting out exactly what I was going to do. This included naming out specific props and materials I would
need to use. Finances was also I thing I needed to consider since I would need to buy some of the materials
I made mood board that would help me through making the
props which included reference photos. This proved useful in
production when I needed to look at a reference.
I also did sketches of the props that I was making, this helped me
to get a better idea of the props and see what details I needed to
include.
7. production
Production took around a week to complete. Sculpting my props went really well. Because the stature was the
biggest prop I was making I needed to use different techniques. This included using foil as a base to build around.
This helped me to get the structure right and I didn't’t have to use as much clay (making the prop lighter)
Something that I really struggled with was the painting. When it came to mixing up the colors I really struggle to
get the exact tones I wanted. I especially struggled with this when it came to the statue since it was mostly
different sides of grey and beige. In the end I found that painting a think layer of white over top of it gave it the
effect that I wanted.
When sealing my painted clay props some of the paint came off. This was due to the sealer being really sticky and
the paint sticking to other things. I solved this by being really careful with where the sealer went and only doing
one side at a time .
8. My product
Although I didn't make s much as I anted to for my final
product, I'm glad that I at least made something.
The product I made were up to a good standard over all
and I'm happy with how they came out.
9. Comparing my product to existing products.
One key compression of these two product is the movement. In my product the
props feel quite still, where as source B looks like its about to move somewhere.
By designing something like this it makes the product feel more alive and makes
it more immersive.
The details on both product are good. Especially on the korok, I paid attention to
fine details with both the painting and the structure. On the statue i did add
details such as shadows to add definition, however I think it could have done
with more work.
the finish on my product is very glossy (because of the sealer I used. I was fine
with this as in the game when it rains this is what they look like. The finish on
source B is a lot less glossy and more on he matte side. This give it a realer look
and works better when taking pictures or using it in a video as it doesn't reflect
the light back.
Source B
Source A
10. Comparing my product to existing products.
When comparing my product to the original design (in the game) I can see a lot of areas where I succeeded, as well
as areas where I could have improved.
I think the most accurate prop I have made is the korok. Both the shape and paint job came out just the way i
intended it to. the proportions were also spot on
When it come to the statue I see a lot of areas of improvement. one of them being shape of the statue which in
looking t it now isn't at the right angle, if i could change it now i would have structure it to face down a little more.
The paint could have done with more work, in production getting the right colour for the statue was something i
really struggled with.