LEAVON ARCHER: CONCEPT DESIGNER

Leavon Archer has worked in several aspects of the gaming industry for over 20 years, initially starting in a small team creating the James Pond game for Mega Drive consoles; Archer has switched between companies including Eurocom, Rebellion and Sony, finding himself in a cycle of concept design and character modelling throughout the years.

Over the years Leavon has worked on the design and concept teams for games such as the James Pond series, Rolo to the Rescue, Pirates of the Caribbean and Sniper. Leavon has also created original game proposals, developing the story, plot, characters and lore from scratch - only for his concept to be later declined.

Rolo to the Rescue (1992)

Having listened to first-hand experience it's clear that the industry is tough with tight limits for time and funding, often having short, specific deadlines for a concept or infact a full game. Archer develops his ideas using Maya, zBrush and Photoshop, going through several stages of design and refinement.

Leavon is an inspiration, as it's clear that you can work your way up in industry, from having a passion for comic book characters, Leavon now works freelance designing characters for all varieties of game.

DIGITAL DESIGN: ADVANTAGES

Using digital media in contemporary design allows us to be much more efficient than traditional methods. With the recent increase in blogging, it allows designers to be much more lightweight and free with their work and efficiently organise it.

With software becoming more advanced, digital programs can create effects that would otherwise be impossible, and with the internet at hand it would be a waste not to share it with everyone. It comes with disadvantages however, the best software can often be complex and for those who aren't so computer liturate it can be a confusing experience. However, for the computer savvy amongst us, it's an inexpensive tool to broadcast our work.

Having a blog not only makes things easier for the designer, it enables you to have an on-line, entirely digital porfolio that can be accessed with the simplest of software. Accessible by al l
Linking your online blog with other designers with similar interests can help to influence your work, increase commissioned pieces and public awareness.

SPOTLIGHT: KYLE BEAN

Kyle Bean, a Brighton based freelance designer came to my attention when his work was featured in the spotlight on tumblr.

Golden Temple (Source)

Working with raw materials Bean is able to create something from the most basic components. Bean has worked on several international briefs, some of his most recent work being for Cadbury UK. 

The golden temple (seen left) has been constructed entirely from gold card as part of a window display for Wonderland magazine.

I always love getting stuck into constructing something detailed and architectural

Newspaper Tophat (Source)

Kyle Bean

Featured in GQ magazine, Beans' newspaper Tophat complemented the article perfectly. I especially like this style of work, creating something new from old, not only are his models architecturally sound, they look realistic. Bean is very precise in his work and this is the key to his success.

ANIMATION: CHAIROMA

Chairoma still (Source)

All it takes is a group of designers with an idea, a simple backdrop and one chair to produce an eye-catching animation just shy of three minutes. The video posted over at Triangulation Blog is merely the manipulation of the shadow of a standard chair.

Although a little slow to start, the eventually impressive visual is synchronised with a somewhat sci-fi sounding audio, this low-budget animation really showcases some of the stunning effects that can be created from so little.

What may seem easy to create, was probably much more complex than meets-the-eye, taking a group of six animators to finish the spectacle. The original post can be seen at Triangulation Blog here.