Throughout this project, I have been using some new materials, ideas and techniques to create my final pieces. These have included crafting my own props, reaching out to companies and overcoming different challenges.
Going chronologically, I started with my mindmap, using the Lotus Blossom method. This helped to generate general ideas about the future and what could link them. I planned to go across technological improvements along with possible prosthetics and AI. This was because of personal interest mainly, knowing that I would create something that someone else would like if it was also something I was interested in so I would want to put more effort into it.
Following this, I did research into different artists. Kyle Nutt was my main inspiration to start with, using a style of beautiful and strange location photography with themes of the future, such as the astronaut costume. However, I noted that it would be hard to realistically do this within this set time and in a good travel distance. The other artist I researched was Tapestry, who used some ideas of VR (virtual realist) in their work. This created a nice looking concept and I was particularly interested by the use of neon colours, which I carried into my final work.
Following this, I researched Accu directly. They used a sleek and sophisticated website, had dominant use of blue colours mixed with greens and oranges. This colour palette creates a sense of trustworthiness and security. The website reminded me of Amazon, very streamlined with search and filtering functions.
Still struggling to find a main theme, I decided to incorporate the use of some of the futuristic technology we have access to. I asked AI what developments in technology would be made in 20 years, and it gave me a few answers. However, I decided to focus on the idea of advanced robotics, and this led me to #BuildingWithAccu, a section on the website where people will build things with Accu products and show them off.
Following this line, I did some research on things I could build. I settled on something similar to the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. My plan was to build a miniature version from nuts and bolts. The lighting was decided through the idea of cyberpunk influences after seeing a video by the Youtube channel Nerdforge of them building a neon city computer case. This incorporated the neon lighting from the Tapestry pictures.
Building the chair was very difficult. I started trying to weld the bolts together, but it wasn’t working because of the material of the bolts. However, I managed to find some superglue and, although slow, it was working. After about 3-4 weeks of building, I had finished it.
Finding models was easy, I was able to use Mike because by putting him in a turtleneck, he looked like a cyber king very convincingly. His stern expression also created some very nice shadows under his brow. However, I stumbled across a different model while experimenting with how light was affected by the clothing colour worn which I decided to use as a model as well. I used Jess because of the way the lighting bounced off her curly hair.
I had to match the lighting on the chair and the models when it came to my main shoot. To do this, I used the same lighting setup exactly and never moved the lights from when I was shooting start to end. I made sure nothing changed to ensure that it would be the same. However, I still had to figure out how to get the models on the chair in editing. I did this by shooting at similar angles both close up on the chair and on the models, shooting lots of pictures to make sure at least one of them would fit.
After this, the editing was fairly easy because of the practice and I was able to produce the final outcomes.
Overall, throughout this project I have been able to learn multiple different new things. I gained a better understanding of the studio and different lighting effects, utilising split lighting for my pictures to create the nice 50/50 for the pink and blue. I was able to experiment with making my own props, crafting the chair from nuts. I was also able to expand my ability to work with clients, being able to create professional emails and keep in contact informing them of how the project was going. This also led to a relationship where they felt comfortable lending me hundreds of pounds of equipment to use.
Some things I could further improve on is general time management. The edits were finished about 2-3 days before the end of the project when they could have been finished earlier. However, they were still finished in time. I also could have used more of my primary research in my finals. I didn’t end up using the motherboard layering, but that was because my main model was Jess. The motherboard layering wouldn’t have worked as well on her because of her hair.
This project was fun to do and I would be happy to work with more companies including Accu in the future.