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Here are some further studies with masks and textures in illustrator and photoshop

This is the base polygon model done in maya.  Normal maps were created for the character in Zbrush, and this is what they look like when rendered in maya:

Thanks to digital tutors for the tips in zbrush.  Painted model to follow shortly.

The project is an interactive virtools project that plays like a first person videogame. I wanted to make the whole experience to be symbolic of my college experience..having a dream and finding out how to make it a reality..or even simply the search for what I love.

Here is a link to a few slides proposing the idea before it was developed

The person in control, using an xbox 360 controller with a typical first-person setup, started out in a dark and dingy hallway..no end in sight..only doors to the left and right.

The object is simple: Walk from the beginning to the end..the hallway takes around 5 minutes to walk straight to the end from the starting point..along the way, images fly at the user trying to turn them around and confuse them and sounds entice the user to open the doors along the way and investigate. If the user walks through the door, they’ve strayed from the path to their goal and are thrown in a purgatory of sorts..

They have to crawl their way back on track following sounds and visual cues to lead them in the right direction. Once close to the end of the hall, a white light indicates they’ve almost reached their goal. When they make it to the end of the hall, they’re transported to a colorful and serene landscape full of life..

After a few moments to walk around and take in the sights and sounds, the user is transported back to the beginning of the hall…once a dream is attained life doesn’t stand still…there are other dreams to follow…always a new path to tread.

I’ve begun testing a program I’ve been tweaking which I hope will result in a fully functional 3d representation of the original super mario bros. which appeared on the NES.  I’m doing everything myself (character modelling, sound effects/scoring, interface, game setup/scripting), so it may take some time, and it’s sure taking a ton of energy, but I’m really excited about the possibilities of developing on my own terms and making something that’s really stellar.

I’ll be updating the site with progress on the game…anything from character models to background design to complete level demos, so keep your eyes peeled for new music and progress reports.

My initial release of original songs is now available for purchase! Hard copies and digital copies are available. The EP contains six songs. You can hear them below:

If you’d like a CD or digital copy, just send an e-mail to brad@bradphillips.org

The eye, sometimes called “the window to the soul,” becomes the window to a story about finding where you belong. “Home” is a video project completed in December of 2007 during my senior year as an undergraduate at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The idea was about personal intimacy. I wanted to tell an intimate story from an intimate perspective. Personally, the story comments on my experiences in Chicago upon arriving their from a small town. The video starts out chaotic and fast paced. You can hear and see evidence of the big city and it’s effects on a small-town boy. As the video makes it’s way to the end, the setting gradually becomes less and less chaotic while sounds become less jarring and more comforting.

While I did have my own specific ideas for making the narrative, I wanted the video to be shot and presented in a way that would be open for interpretation

My goal was to use processing to create a series of projects that would merge both visual and audio aesthetics. The semester culminated in “Raindrops” being displayed on the big screen. The video above is a document of the show. Users could approach the screen and press anywhere on it to create a drop. Sounds were associated with the creation of each raindrop. “Raindrops” was meant to encourage user collaboration and thought as if each person were inside a room staring out a window during a rainy evening.

Click on the link below to interact with the project. Simply click on the screen and hold to create drops wherever your mouse is located on the screen:

Raindrops

I spoke about some of the projects that I was currently working on, and I explained my process in generating ideas and what it means to me to create art.

You can check out the interview on Chicago Public Radio’s website:

http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Content.aspx?audioID=23079

or you can listen right here