Female Robot

In my first year of my Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media; at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE); one of my assignments that I was given was to create concept sketches, model and rig a 3D character. I decided to create a female robot character as this is something that I've always wanted to create.

Female Robot from Anzel Rossouw on Vimeo.

The video above is a render that I have created to display my very first attempt at creating a 3D character.

Female Robot Concept, Anzel Rossouw, 2012

The image that I have included on the left is the initial concept sketches that I created for my female robot character. I used all kinds of different reference images, ranging from cyber robots to machinery items. So when I started off with these concept sketches, I started looking at human female anatomy in order to get the form and proportions correct; as I was trying to create a fairly realistic female robot character with an interesting design. At that time I haven't had much experience with creating and concept sketches for characters; so I didn't really spend too much time on thinking about how the character would move or whether she would be structurally sound, or any of those considerations. There are however so many elements of the design that I really love; such as the use of negative spaces which gives the character a really strong silhouette.

Female Robot Silhouette, Anzel Rossouw, 2012

The image included on the left; is illustrating the silhouette that I have created for the character in order to gain a good strong perspective of the shape of the character; whether it is a shape that could be distinguished easily, one that is interesting and it is also very useful in identifying sections that could be improved upon, such as structural defects.

Female Robot Colour Concept, Anzel Rossouw, 2012

The image that I have included on the left was created to illustrate the colour scheme that I wanted to use as well as the materials and textures that I wanted to apply to my female robot character.

I mostly wanted to use different shades of grey for the basic colour of the body, because of the wide metallic range of materials that I wanted to use. I also wanted to bring some black, white and blue colours into the metal material in order to emphasise some sections of the robot as well as bringing some verity into the metal materials being used. Through adding colour schemes to my character concept sheet, I was quickly able to see what would work and what wouldn't; this saves time when creating the actual materials and texture maps for the 3D model.

Female Robot_Turntable from Anzel Rossouw on Vimeo.

Although this turned out pretty good for a first attempt; I have decided to recreate this character as I believe there are some really good ideas to this design. I am currently redesigning a few parts; especially her legs, as there are some major flaws which I only discovered once I started rigging my character. My skills as a concept artist has increased quite a bit, therefore I believe I can really take this character a lot further than I have before. I have really progressed within my modelling skills; so with a bit of effort this could become a fully functional robot and my goal is to get her to the stage where she is fully rigged and then I would be able to create a short animation with her. I look forward to finishing my next attempt and I know I could do better.