Working Smarter

The Happy Secret to Better Work (Rewiring your Brain to be Positive) 

https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work 

 

Summary 

• Being Positive & happy makes us more successful - rather than the other way around. 
• When our Brian is in a positive space it performs significantly better. When it’s in a negative, neutral, or stressed space it performs worse. 
• Positive psychological techniques can improve how you feel e.g. daily gratitude & journaling can be really useful in helping us reach our goals.  

What Needs to be Done

The Practical elements of this Module that need to be completed. 

 

Because everyone is at a different stage in the process you need to make a rough schedule this week to manage your workload. 

 

Character Research & Design 

Zbrush 

• Character Sculpt  

Maya  

• Project file set up 
• Retopology 
• Model File Clean up 
• UV Mapping 
• Arnold materials & adding Photoshop texture images 
• Lighting - I will provide you with a simple scene to start this process & instruction video to start this process  
• Rigging – Using an Auto Rigger 
• Posing Character & Rendering 3d Character Sheet (Poses that best represent your model in a characterful way).

Semester 2 Welcome

Right now, I hope you’re feeling motivated and inspired to continue on your animation or creative career journey. However, it’s completely normal to hit a few speed bumps along the way. After all, none of us are perfect and problems will always occur. 

 Self-reflection is a really valuable tool to measure your progress and see how far you’ve come. Research shows that people who regularly practice self-reflection are better at learning from set-backs and setting goals for the future. This is why we what you to write reflectively about your work, so take this as an opportunity to practice to write reflectively in your blog. Not only will it help you improve your work at University but it is an invaluable life skill for both your professional career and your personal life.

 

Sometimes when you’re feeling unmotivated or are struggling to get back on track, re-reading your own words about how you were feeling when you first started your project can be really motivating. It can help to remind you of why it’s worth it to persevere and continue with your studies. 

If you struggle with reflective writing it can be helpful to think about it as if you were emailing a friend and telling them how your work is going. There is more detailed guidance on BB about specific things you can address, but if you re-frame it in this informal way it can be a very effective way of getting started on your journey of self-reflection.   

 

Remember, the best way to make progress for the long term is to focus on taking small actions every day. Breaking up what can seem like an overwhelming task into smaller more achievable ‘chunks’. US Navy SEALS call this ‘Chunking’. On this module consistency trumps intensity. It’s worth remembering that even if you are able to improve a tiny amount each day, say for example you were only able to improve by 1% every day. Over the course of one year, these small changes would add up, resulting in you being considerably better at the end of the year than you were at the start. 

 

A final congratulations on completing semester 1 of this Module under very difficult circumstances. Now is time to move on, reflecting on your performance last semester to help you improve and make this semester an enjoyable and positive learning experience. There is no doubt that this semester you will encounter difficulties, however, there is no such thing as a life without problems. It’s your job to reframe those problems as challenges to be faced with courage and professionalism and to embrace the identity of becoming a life long learner! 

Week 1 Independent Study

This week you are to begin your initial research into your character design. For next week's class, you will be expected to present your initial research that will inform your preparatory character design sketches to the rest of the group for tutor and peer feedback. This work should be uploaded to a blog created specifically for this module. This blog should Should have your name and module code and tiltle in the header.

Please add your blog link to the Ondrive document I will share with you.  This list will then be added to this module blog. Remember to create regular blog posts to document your process and progress on this module.

Week 1 Independent Study Checklist

1. Begin ZBrush Training as directed in class on LinkedIn Learning (at least 3 hours).
2. Begin to collect images and reference material (research) into the type of character you want to build and create sketches of your initial ideas. (at least 2 hours).
3. Create a blog and add your research and initial character designs and annotate them with reflective comments and insights. (30 - 45 mins)
4. Make a note of the blog address and bring with you for next week's session and add a link to the module blog.

You will be expected to share your progress with your peers next week in an informal show and tell session.

Total homework time at least 7 hrs

Below are some examples of student character design sketch sheets.

Intro to Module

Make sure you have read and are familiar with the Module Guide (on BlackBoard) and The Brief tab on this blog.

What is expected of you

At least 10 hours study time

3 in class and 7 independent study

This module uses a Flipped Classroom approach which uses the Coaching Model of Teaching which promotes resilience and self-reliance to create independent learners and creative problem solvers.

You will be doing the ZBrush training using OnDrive videos, LinkedIn Learning and ZClassroom as part of your independent study time, using the campus machines in the University machines in TG, DAC or in Pierson, or on your own computers. Using video training in this way allows you to control your own learning, and go at your own pace and pause and rewind the content.

In class, you will be working on your projects and building and sculpting your models with support from me. If you do not do the training each week you will not have the skills to be able to build your model. It is as simple as that!

My Role

Is as a Facilitator or Coach, to point you in the right direction, offer advice, feedback and help you when you are stuck with creative and technical support.

Reasons for this

By taking this approach you get to work at your own pace and if you get stuck on a tutorial at home I can help you in the next class session. With software training, you learn by doing. You will need to look at the training videos over and over until the skills become automatic. Repeatedly practice the modeling and sculpting tools you will need to model your character and continue this process in class with support from me. With time and effort, you will begin to adapt what you have learned from your online training to your own model build. This approach promotes Active Learning.

This method of learning also mimics the way you would be expected to learn new software in the Animation, Games, and other creative industries. Being able to learn software while on a project is part of the job requirements for these industries. How well you adapt to learning new software is also part of your assessment.

Creative Problem Solvers, Independent Flexible Learners and Industry

Although it doesn’t seem like it right now, you will soon be entering your 3^rd year.

In your 3^rd year, you will be expected to work more independently most of the time. This class is set up to help you prepare for the level of independent learning and study that will be expected of you next year.

You should treat this module like a job because if the work you do in this class is of a high enough standard it could be added to your first professional portfolio (that you will work on in 3rd year) and be instrumental in you getting your dream job. 

E.G. Ex-students Rajnita and Alex job interview at Off the Fence in Bristol and Sony Image Works Vancouver.

Industry wants people who know how to access knowledge and learning to, “…to figure it out…”

Knowing how to use ZBrush could make you highly employable.

Attendance

85% of students who fail modules have a poor attendance record.

What you need to bring

Always bring a pad and pen to make notes with.

Bring headphones or earbuds so that you can access Lynda training while working on your model if necessary.

Wacom Tablets

If you don’t have your own tablet, then you will need to book one out for your training and for this class. It’s probably a very good idea to do this a month in advance/at a time.

If you don’t have access to a tablet it will make this module very hard to complete.

You are responsible for this!!

Training Resources

Is everyone familiar with LinkedIn Learning (Lynda.com)

Can everyone access LinkedIn Learning?

Main tutorials for this module:

The main training videos fro this module are on the Onedrive and will be shared with you to either live stream or download. These videos take you through the entire process for semester 1 step by step.

However:

ZBrush Essential Training with Ryan Kittleson (great introduction to get you up and running)

There are also lots of extra resources on LinkedIn...

Sculpting a Creature with Zbrush & Photoshop with Rayce Bird (Looks at Dynamesh)
Also look at...
Sculpting a Scarecrow in ZBrush with Michael Ingrassia (Looks at Dynamesh)
Sculpting Cloth in ZBrush with Ryan Kittleson

ZClassroom
https://pixologic.com/zclassroom/workshop/zbrush-introduction (Introduction)

https://pixologic.com/zclassroom/workshop/dynamesh (Introduction to Dynamesh)

This module is Hard work!

ZBrush and Maya can be challenging to learn, however, you do not need to learn the entire app! 

80/20 Principle?

Remember every Monday afternoon you get to sculpt a cool digital character or creature that you have designed! What better way to spend a Wednesday afternoon!!

Look at weekly Schedule

Look at Process - Modeling WorkFlow on Whiteboard and how to use LinkedIn Learning OneDrive videos.

Look at week 1 Independent study post

Type of character students can design 

Break 20/30 mins

Start Training and/or Begin initial character research and generating ideas.