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Unit 10- Evaluation.

During the previous term, I was given three projects to work on; for these projects, we were given topics that consisted of games, books and political issues, these were our starting points. At first, this overwhelmed me a little bit due to the fact that I still didn’t know what sort of route I wanted to take. It was either scale models or 3D assets. For me, I personally felt as though the scale model route was more what I wanted to do.

 For the first project, our starting point was making game assets, with the wider world topic of Disability. Instantly, I thought of making some sort of weapon with a telepathic link. It was also at this point that I decided scale models my chosen area. However, due to the fact that scale models was my chosen area for my FMP, I felt that I would go for a larger scale, (more life-size.) This part of the unit allowed for me to develop my skills in the workshop and become less afraid when using the machinery. The blades that I made were not my finest work however, this did also allow to work on the scale aspect of prop making. Despite them not being the best, I still think that they work as a first attempt both at scale models and props. Since my game was to set in a Celtic world, the research was my strongest point due to the fact that there was so much that I could look into; For example, blade shapes but also Celtic sounding names. At the same time, I could also change my idea to be set in the modern era. One thing that I could have improved upon with blades, would have to been testing out engraving on the blade itself. During this project, I know that focused too much on research and design and did not allow myself enough time to craft the outcomes. Keeping this mind, I wouldn’t do the complete opposite on the next projects.

 Keeping in mind that research and design were vital, but at the same time, so was leaving enough time for constructing the final product for the next project. The main priority was designing the look and shape of the product and creating variations, so that the work wasn’t linear. Again, for this project, I decided to go for scale models as I knew that there was room for improvement due to the fact there wasn’t a lot of showcasing for the blades. I recognised this project as the one to learn from my mistakes but also expand my skill set. I based this project on an apocalyptic world which had been overrun by an alien plant-like species. The story behind this was that the perspective of the main character was that he was a lone survivor in this world, foraging from anything that he could find. The product then transformed into a kit-bashed helmet for the character to use. The major problem that I ran into was that my design sheets were becoming linear again, in that there were no variations to the designs. I overcame this problem by doing other design over the top in harsher colours to allow them to stand out. In terms of the actual construction, it was fairly simple. This is because the base was old, disused cricket helmet, and the majority of the skills that were used back in my FMP were revived again for this project. This meant that my skillset was not built upon much, however the existing skills were improved upon. The end product of the helmet worked better than originally thought; However, it could have been improved by researching more into what apocalyptic clothing and accessories in film and illustration looked like. Yet despite this, the outcome still worked, especially with the way that the spray paint didn’t fully bond with helmet surface, yet gave the helmet a really cool, dusty look. One thing that was overlooked in both this project and the previous was that a prop is not prop until it used as one and I know that will be something for me to focus and keep in mind for the future.

For the third and final project in this unit, I decided to centre my interest on global warming and alien life. I decided to look at Global Warming due to the fact that it happens every day and affects us with us realising it. The reason that alien life was incorporated was because I play around with idea of this alien life starting out on Earth, yet when nearing extinction, due to global warming, decided to build life pods to escape, allowing me to incorporate the idea of sentient beings as well. For this project, I actually decided to move away from scale models and improve my skills with 3D assets. I know that this was the right choice because it will allow for me to use these skills at a later date, but also build upon my 3D work for my portfolio. I ended up creating a spaceship, used by the alien race, and an environment showing that the aliens have attacked before but are back again to show humans what it feels like to have their homes destroyed, I also incorporated an alien gunship crashing into one of the buildings to show that although might be superior, something as simple as a corner could easily signify their overconfidence. Out of all three projects, I would have to say that the third is my favourite and the one where my skills expanded the most, especially with my drawing. This is because the worksheets weren’t linear, unlike the previous ones were.

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Philip-Lorca DiCorcia.

DiCorcia often uses and alternates between informal snapshots and staged compositions, often giving his work a theatrical feeling.

Dicorcia’s almost look as though his work is meant to be seen as cinema/ film promotion in that the images generally seem to focus on one central character; meaning that if the images were to promote a film, the highlighted character can be considered the lead. This can then make the links between fantasy and reality. The way in which DiCorcia creates these effects is by using lights to blackout the background and highlighting certain figures. The unique faces allow his photographs to have a sense of heightened drama to the passers-by accidental poses, unintended movements and insignificant facial expressions. 

A lot of his work looks as though they have been taken straight from an classic horror film, where the victim is highlighted in a crowd so we know who dies next. They also look as though they are from some sort of dramatisation from a crime investigation programme. 

I feel that I would like to try and utilise these techniques in order to try and get a sense of war. This could mean that the photos will be coloured but at the same time take inspiration from WWII photographs, depicting both soldiers on the battleground, but also how they might spend their spare time. 

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What would other people wear?

Thick Leather Jacket

Ideal for: Avoiding zombie bites

Key feature: Heavy Steerhide Outer; Insulated Lining

If the dead decide to roam the Earth, this jacket will help you survive becoming a human happy meal, due to the fact that the leather s a thicker material than other conventional materials used.

Goose Down Parka

Ideal for: Staying warm in the next Ice Age

Temperatures Down to -30 Degrees.

If we decide to stay alive long enough to be treated to an icy apocalypse instead a literal hell on, the Canada Goose will likely be one of our saviours.

Radiation Coverall

Ideal for: Making it through a nuclear winter Key feature: Shields Against Gamma Rays Up to 130 KeV

Contrary to popular belief, gamma ray exposure doesn't turn you into a green, raging behemoth of a man. It just kills you. If 1950s conspiracy theorists are right and we ultimately end up ruining everything with a couple of WMDs, then you might want to consider a quality radiation suit. 

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Why do all shows focus on disaster survivors as being American?

Personally, I think that the reason as to why all apocalypse sows are set in the US is due to the fact that the US is a superpower so it therefore make sense that there would be somewhat of a better chance of survival. However, this also has it’s setbacks, in that the higher the population, the higher the risk of initial infection but also death. 

Yet, other locations would make sense. For example, the UK is an island meaning that we are surrounded by sea, therefore lowering the risk of initial infection. However, if the disease is airborne, then our situation just got a whole lot worse.

However, in LEDCs, for example, countries like India and Brazil, where there is the problem of over population, survival rates in those countries might be poor due to the higher rate and risk of initial infection.

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What would happen to children in the apocalypse?

I’ve watched enough end-of-the-world movies and shows to know that people with small children generally do not survive. Except for The Walking Dead, where the children are treated like saints, only for them to become a human happy meal.

For all those unnecessary deaths, I blame the children.

There are 2 main reasons as to why people with wouldn't survive. The first reason is that Children are slow, therefore making you slow. I think that this is due to the fact that kids just want take a stand against anything and everything. You can try to bribe them with food, but ultimately the mini-mini-arguement will probably end with you being called an ‘idiot’. The other reason as to why children will slow you down is that if you have to carry the kids because their tired, who going to carry all of the supplies; and at the same time, how far would you realistically get whilst running for you lives. 

The second reason as to why people with small kids wouldn't survive very long is that kids can't sit still, and can't be quiet. If you were hiding from zombies, you're kids will be sitting there, making childish noises, attracting the zombies; and then, when you tell them to stop, just to prove that you're not the boss of them, they will run out of cover screaming ‘over here’, with the addition of childish noises.

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Outcome so far.

Overall, I am pleased with how the product looks so far, but I feel that there is obviously still room for improvement. Two major things that could be done next time could include changing the colour scheme to one that is more apocalyptic, for example, black and yellow stripes to show caution; and the second thing could be to more details to the outside. For example, taking inspiration from Mad Max; Fury Road, and just placing spikes and even miniature exhausts will let out little flames every so often.

However, on the other hand, I think that the look does work. This due to the fact that at certain angles, the helmet, the light and the antennae give the illusion of all being welded into one piece (this is more noticeable in the second image).

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Build day 4.

This session saw me adding on some of the finer details. The main details that were added were just wires going from A to B, and although they look simple, it gives the illusion that the block at the back of the helmet is providing power to all of the vital systems.

At the same time, it was highlighted to me that most helmets would have names in the post-apocalyptic world, and the thoughts that I had for the name were all too brutish. For example, a couple of the names included Slasher and Knucklehead. It was at this point when I realized the helmet already had a name and all that needed to be done was to take away a few letters. So, using some radio knobs, I covered up the ‘ium’ in ‘Titanium’ to have the name of ‘TITAN’, meaning that the society has reverted an ancient religion and now belive in multiple gods, including the Roman and Greek gods.

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Build day 3.

Today’s session saw me take into consideration what was said the other day about finer details and finding other uses for the grille. In terms of finer detailing, I thought about what could have been used as the communications equipment, and instantly, the first thought was to use an old TV aerial.After searching the shed for other things to potentially use on the helmet, I managed to find one with adjustable antennae.

After opening up the main body, and disconnecting the main power wire, the two antennae were attached to a small square circuit board, with I thought would be a good idea for finer external elements, due to the fact that it would look like exposed circuitry. However, unfortunately, when I next went to use it, the circuit board had been taken off, meaning that I had to think of some other to add the detail.

At the same time, I also had to think about how i was going to re-utilize the grille. The initial idea was to use as some sort of neck brace, but due the shape and the angle it would sit at, it would not allow for a wide range head movement. It was at this moment that I thought that if were to alter the grille into it’s two main components; The ear piece and the main face protection, I could then utilize it two different ways. This was the point where the ear pieces stayed where would normally be, but the grille was to be utilized either additional protection or an inactive visor.

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Was I achieving the look I wanted?

Personally, I don’t feel that the helmet, at the moment, is looking a though it was crafted in some sort of a bunker, but instead some has found a helmet and just slapped things onto the side with consideration. I think that one way to overcome this setback is to look into post apocalyptic helmets and see how things are utilized as defenses. This could mean that I use the grille from the helmet as some sort of neck protection or extra head protection.

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Build day 2.

Today saw me complete another set of external features on the helmet, and at the same time raised an important question about the way that I was working.

The main thing that I am most pleased about is overcoming the problem of how to attach the light to the helmet. The original plan was to buy a couple of cycle lights, where there is a small rail-type system to allow the light to taken off and changed over. However, due to the simple fact that these lights cost quite a bit of money, I felt that it would be simpler to collect ordinary lights. While this allowed me to continue with the ‘lights on the side of the helmet’ idea, it also presented me with a problem, which was how I was going to attach. The initial idea was to create a wire-spiral to attach the light, but the main problem that kept on appearing was that the wire just didn’t neatly enough or tightly enough around the torch. However, a solution was quickly found in that a thin strip of metal sheet would be tied around the light, allowing for a tighter fit. Yet, although it didn’t look all that neat, I still think that the method chosen allows for a quick fix in a bad situation.

However, upon reflection at this point, it was pointed out to me that at this moment in time, I wasn’t really kit-bashing and achieving the rugged look that was wanted, but I was instead just decorating the outside with much thought or attention, So this will be something to be later highlighted and improved upon. Despite this comment being made, I feel that the work so far is what I wanted but I now realise that the finer are more essential than ever.

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Build day 1 review.

Today, although I haven’t made much progress, I think that I have made a very strong start. Today saw me get the main colour coat. I think that although the paint hasn’t stuck to the helmet very well, meaning the effect that was made wasn’t intentional, however, it would still work for the design on an apocalyptic helmet. This is due to the fact that the paint has given the helmet a dirty and forgotten look. I also began to place external elements. The one that was placed today was the power unit at the back of the helmet. One major that I faced and know that will come up again, was the external elements are going to be flat but the helmet surface is obviously curved. The way that I overcame the power unit problem is that both the piece itself was drilled into, and the same with the helmet. Then, a piece of dowel was placed onto the the power unit and glued into place. I think that using the dowel and glue is a lot better than just gluing the unit onto the helmet due to the fact that there is now a lot more strength and durability.

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Research: Post-apocalyptic helmets.

So, in order to make my helmet more apocalyptic, I felt it necessary to look more into helmets that have been designed as though the apocalypse has happened.

With the first image, there is one major fact that is clearly highlighted. Although it is sarcastic, the message on the front reading, ‘front towards enemy’, is, to me, almost showcasing the fact that people will become stronger and more like brutes, meaning that they are thinking with their fist, not their brains, meaning that their brains are withering away. At the same time, it also play with American Jock cliche, in that they are more sporty than mindful. I also think that the colour scheme is subtle, due to the fact that yellow and black stripes often represent the need for caution, meaning that the wearer could be extremely dangerous.

With the second image, it has more of the look that I feel I would like to achieve; in that the spikes can be used as both a defense, but at the same time, be used as an offense, like a lethal headbutt. I also think that the mouth cover could have two potential meanings, The first being that it can be used as an intimidation tactic, but at the same time, be used as gas mask in the contaminated zones. I think that the one main thing that I would take as inspiration from this helmet would have to be the neck brace, due to the simple fact that it could be an alternate use for the helmet’s grille.

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Gas/ Oxygen masks.

The definition of a gas mask is a protective mask used to cover a person’s face as a defense against poison gas. The main point in a gas mask is that it prevents you from breathing in toxic/ poisonous gases. Most gas mask filters will last around 24 hours in a nuclear biological chemical situation. There were early types of gas masks before the typical style of gas masks. For example, the plague doctors mask from the renaissance period, would have filled the beak with sweet/ strong smelling herbs and spices as they believed it would banish the evil smells due to the fact that period they believed the plague was caused by miasma.

An oxygen mask provides a method to transfer breathing oxygen gas from a storage tank to the lungs. Oxygen masks may cover the nose and mouth (oral nasal mask) or the entire face (full-face mask). They may be made of plastic, silicone, or rubber. In certain circumstances, oxygen may be delivered via a nasal cannula instead of a mask. An early 1919 high-altitude oxygen system used a vacuum flask of liquid oxygen to supply two people for one hour at 15,000 ft (4,600 m). The liquid passed through several warming stages before use, as expansion when it evaporated, and absorbed latent heat of vaporization, would make the gasified oxygen so cold that it could cause instant frostbite of the lungs.  Many designs of aviator's oxygen masks contain a microphone to transmit speech to other crew members and to the aircraft's radio. Military aviators' oxygen masks have face pieces that partially cover the sides of the face and protect the face against flash burns, flying particles, and effects of a high speed air stream hitting the face during emergency evacuation from the aircraft by ejection seat or parachute. They are often part of a pressure suit or intended for use with a flight helmet. 

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External element choices.

Due to the fact that the plan for the helmet is to make as some sort of post apocalyptic military helmet, the external elements will include things like flashlights, camera equipment, communication equipment. Other external elements include visors, gas/oxygen masks, face cage and ear cages. Another external element that I feel should be on the helmet some sort of power unit on the back of the helmet. One thing that I will need to look into at a later date is how the external elements are attached to modern day helmets.

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Tom Clancy’s The Division.

Tom Clancy’s The Division is an online action-RPG game set in an immersive & realistic urban open world. The plot to the game is that on Black Friday, a devastating pandemic sweeps through New York City, and society starts to collapse into chaos. Where you play as a member of The Division, a unit of sleeper agents activated to save what remains. You have been activated and sent to Manhattan to save what remains of civilization after the devastating pandemic. Teaming up with other Division agents, your mission is to restore order, investigate the source of the virus, and take back New York. With this game, your aim is to survive and work out what caused this outbreak and how you could stop it. To do this you need to explore this unforgiving city which still has pandemic areas making it vital to have a gas mask and to upgrade your gear.

The reason as to why I am looking into this is that there are a couple of elements from the game that I am going to utilize. The main one being that some sort of viral infection that has been released into all major town and cities. This will also allow me to look into gas and oxygen masks.

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Initial helmet choices.

For the helmet, I want to try and make look like some sort of special forces helmet, with quite a few of external elements, including flashlights, cameras and communications equipment.At the same time, I would also like to try to make some sort of post apocalyptic helmets, where it looks as though someone has found this helmet, and has placed some barbed wire and spikes to inspire fear into enemies. This could allow me to integrate some sort of class system into the story, I that the more enemy trinkets are on the helmet, the higher the rank you are.

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Vacuum forming.

Vacuum forming is probably the route that I will take if I decide to add external details. For example, the X-Wing helmet has the central ridge. If I were to do something like this, I would use cardboard to make the base shape, so that I can then Vacuum form it, and then measure it up to the helmet and make adjustments if necessary. My initial idea was to make a series of small helmets to put into small display cases. However, the problem would be that due to the scale, it would be too small for me to handle so I have changed my idea so the helmet can actually be worn.