Research

I have always considered myself to have a skill in art. Over the past 5 years, I have studied everything from painting to 3D structures. I have done this for GCSE and A-level. More than anything though, I have done it because I really enjoy it and is what I wanted to do. I have done it the way I have because in my opinion it is the easiest way to get into an art and design industry in the future. People did try to persuade me to do a art foundation first to make sure that multimedia was right for me, but i didn't think this was necessary. I have always loved animation in films and games and decided that hat is the path I want to go down in the future. As of yet, I have not decided if I would prefer to go into animation of game design.
By researching aspects of these skills or any media that may influence my work, i will become overall a batter practitioner. It will help me know what is going on in the world where i study. It will obviously improve my skills as I watch tutorials, and looking at work that other people have done will give me more ideas. By broadening my knowledge of the subject, it will look more impressive when i come to an interview and I will always be able to look back at my research for ideas.
When it comes from starting research, I don't think that there are any insignificant starting points. I am sure that by starting at one point, you will have to look at all of them to fully understand the subject you are studying. I think a good position is to start from the front. By looking at reactions for something and then going back and looking how it was done, you will begin to see what makes a good product. And then you can look at why it was made like it was. In doing this, you can see the effects of all the different influences on the product and be able to see how they all interlink.

3D Lair

Last Thursday I started on a lair for a super hero/villain. I decided to design a lair for 'The Joker' as I thought it would be the most interesting considering his characteristics. I considered many characters, mainly from the Batman franchise, based on interesting personality traits that would mean weird and wonderful interiors. I was also going to pick 'V' from 'V for Vendetta' as the shadow gallery built up in the novel is one of the most unique building designs I have ever come across. However, the Joker's theatrical, hysterical and yet insane personality gave my ideas almost no constrictions as nothing could go too far.
So far, I have built the walls of the hideaway. In my head I know what is going in each room. I have decided on having a theatre/library, armoury, transport and what can only be explained as a novelty room. By this time next week, I plan to have sketches of my designs on here.
As far as influences are concerned. I have looked at his personality in all the comics that I have with him in. I have also obviously watched 'The Dark Knight' and played 'Arkham Asylum'. All these things I have considered when deciding what would go in the den. However as different writers portray him in different ways this because complicated as some personalities contradict one another. I am hoping to create the lair in the style of 'Fear and Loathing'. The bazooko circus scene gives the circus the sinister appearance that I hope to achieve.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ktKSRs6a4

Multimedia outside of university

When outside of university, I develop my skills as a practioner by drawing designs and ideas for characters or scenery onto a graphics tablet. I also browse deviantart for a variety of influences from any type of media. However, after talking in last weeks seminar, I was given the idea of posting my work on there and following other artists that I like. Also, by commenting other people's work I will get feeback on my own.
I also take influenece from many other forms of media such as novels, comics and articles that may affect the discipline. Youtube is also a good source for watching tutorials on software, and interviews and discussions with key figures in the industry. Again, by subscibing to animators and artists, I can follow how they develop and go back to them in the future when i am looking for ideas.