Specific Ideas Research

Final Idea: Cyberpunk Voxel Diorama City

These images represent the overall design concept for my diorama, as I stated in my proposal, my chosen style will use a voxel format, meaning my final piece will be conducted using cubes, which is why using the new software ‘magicavoxel’ will come in handy for my designs. Specifically, the voxel style worked really well with the cyberpunk theme, as shown in my visual research. Using a vapor-wave and neon colour palette, will allow me to create these similar light projected cities, which have clearly been adapted to science fiction, and overall cybernetic activities. The lighting of these pieces are clearly fueled by purely technological light sources, from the neon and light panels, and the overall mood is dark and grunge, something I want to include this theme within my own work, as it brings out the colours, and follows along the themes of a cyberpunk city. The purpose of this research, will allow me to gain an idea of how I can present and layout my diorama, specifically for this theme, it also gives me a range of ideas for the colours I can use for the neon lights on the signs, buildings, and scenery background. 

Final Idea: Neon and Japanese Signs

I wanted to specifically look at the style of Japanese signs, taken in technological based areas in Japan. This culture is known for taking on Cyberpunk elements within their city, such as the use of extreme neon colours, and heavy amounts of advertisement. Again, I tried to include images that are influenced by vapor-wave and luminous colours schemes. The shapes and sizes are also very different, some focus more on Japanese text, while others use symbols, examples are shown in my mood images, such as using light up symbols in the shape of food, animals such as the dragon, and even using shapes to spell out words. These ideas could be small elements that would be effective in my diorama. My project name ‘G10W CITY’, could also be a featured sign within my piece, using some of the techniques used in this research. I specifically like the use of symbols for food, and places, as well as coloured Japanese text, as these are effective and easy to interpret for my audience. 

Final Idea: Cyberpunk Weapons

As apart of my weapon concepts, I gathered image variations of guns, bows, laser weapons, and science fiction beam guns. I kept this quite broad, as I haven’t fully decided on the types of weapons I plan on creating, besides them being primarily guns, as these are the most science fiction and Cyberpunk weapons used within this genre. These images use science fiction elements, such as shapes, metal materials, sabers, and lasers. I included both 2D and 3D reference, as some of the 2D images allows me to look at proportions and how I can position my weapons, whereas 3D images gives me access to perspectives I wouldn’t otherwise see. I particularly like the use of transparent pipes and bases for the weapons, as it allows you to see the inter-workings of the weapons foundation, giving you the opportunity to create glowing colours that radiate from the center. It also gives me inspiration for the exterior shapes and design I can use, that fit a science fiction and futuristic environment and society. 

Final Idea: Cyberpunk Colours & Textures

I wanted to get ideas on the types of fibers and textures I can use within my diorama. There are a lot of science fiction platforms, and materials, so I picked the selection I thought could be used within my city. I specifically looked into Synth-wave floors, commonly seen in vapor-wave games and art styles. I also really liked the cracked metal floors with colours that seep through the gaps (possibly laser or neon generated), as these are simple yet effective designs that are immediately associated with a futuristic civilization. The purpose of this board, is so I can generate ideas on the details I can use for the floor, and particularly my buildings within the city. I can also photo-bash some of these together, to create my own textures and materials, that I can change and adapt within Photoshop. 

Final Idea: Motorcycles & Hover-boards

My final board focuses directly on the transportation I want to include within the city, I chose motorcycles and hover-boards, as these are the most conventional vehicles that are shown in futuristic and cyberpunk environments. Evidence of this is suggested in media such as the game ‘Tron’, featuring neon and sci-fi motorcycles, and TV such as the show ‘Futurama’,  and ‘Back to the Future’ films that showcase hover-boards. I particularly like the blue, pink, and sometimes red neon for these, as typically these colours represent a science fiction era, as well as standing out the most vibrantly for techno-powered light sources. These images will be used as a guide to how I can create my own vehicles, and again possibly photo-bash some together to create unique designs that I can sketch over onto. Many of these images have the same perspective, making this process easier. 

Primary Book Research:

I conducted some primary research looking at different character concepts and environments, the purpose of this was to give me ideas on style, how cyberpunk characters and assets look, colour schemes, and assets. The first book that I researched in the library talked about the ‘Art of game characters’, and although I wasn’t producing characters, it gave me some really nice ideas on the types of clothing  and therefore attitudes of characters similar to cyberpunk, and the types of vapor-wave, neon or just generally unique colours used for this. In addition to this, I also found some really nice concept art weapons, that I can take inspiration from, as I plan on producing cybernetic and science fiction themed swords and guns as apart of my project.

I was drawn to the second book at a local library, due to the colours it uses, I planned on using blue and pink as my proposed colours for my designs, as they are a typical vapor-wave scheme, I found this book in a science fiction comic book. Where they had images of graphical cities in a dark atmosphere similar to what I wanted to produce. Here I could take inspiration for textures, vehicle designs, and street lighting, as well as looking at the types of architecture that would be portrayed in a busy city.