Izakaya
3D modelling an environment
Applications: Blender, Canva, Photoshop
Duration: August 2021 - November 2021
Purpose: To exercise skills learnt in the course through a passion project
Introduction
For the project, students were instructed to conceptualise our own virtual environment in Blender. We were encouraged to create any scene, location, or environment that we desired as long as it stayed within the boundaries the instructors had established. With this creative freedom, I produced a virtual environment that resembled an Izakaya alleyway, a row of bars squeezed into a tiny alley in Japan. This project required me to demonstrate my technical skills and my understanding of the features of Blender, primitive shapes, textures, UV maps. cameras, and lighting.
Workflow
Ideation
Despite given great creative freedom, it was no challenge for me as I almost immediately decided on the concept of an Izakaya alleyway. Though I had never visited one, I had been very interested in the overall aesthetic and atmosphere that it evokes through its depiction in media. I was also driven by my desire to travel, and this desire was heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moodboard
My lack of knowledge of a real izakaya alleyway did contribute to the challenges of creating one. For my first step, I compiled many images of the alleyway in Japan to set-up the moodboard. Gaining insights of the common motifs and structure of what an izakaya alleyway contains assisted me in the elements I must produce to replicate the environment. Some common elements were bright red lanterns, signs, stools, menu boards, wood materials, and short structures.
Sketches
The moodboard provided a simple idea of the elements I could include in my own rendition of an izakaya alley. It was still quite difficult to visualise the overall look based on pictures alone, so I continued some research by taking inspiration from other creators' rendition of an izakaya. Through this additional research, I was able to sketch a simpler version of an izakaya alley while retaining its key features to achieve the izakaya feel. My proposal was to model four structures to create the illusion of a narrow alleyway. I was left to decide whether I would leave the ends of the environment open or closed. I chose to leave the ends of the alleyway open to lessen the amount of work, but I was sacrificing the creation of a completed feel for the environment in order to finish the project smoothly.
Blockout
The next step was to visualise the sketches in 3D with the use of Blender.
Refining
As I progressed to the refining stage, I referenced my initial sketches to continue modelling and defining objects in my environment. Objects that were being defined were the lanterns, shutter door, carton boxes, signs, curtains and roofing. Additional objects were also modelled such as bottles and flyers to fill the space.
Rendered Visual
For the rendered visual, we were required to use textures, lighting, and UV maps to bring our environments alive. This task was the most challenging part of the project but the most enjoyable due to its difficulty. This stage of the project called upon the techniques taught during the semester, and this final rendering process enabled me to research additional techniques online to achieve a polished look. This additional technique revolved around the creation of a realistic lantern lighting effect to add to the late-night atmosphere. Textures were attained from Poly Haven, and other online sources with proper licensing with some alterations made with Photoshop.
Reflection
Overall, I'm very proud with the project outcome as I was able to apply my skills and go beyond my expectations. While I acknowledge the low level of detail of my assets, I used my best efforts to map the textures and incorporate good lighting to create an atmospheric environment in an effort to make-up for my lack of model detail. I would have challenged myself further by creating more detailed models and create additional assets if I were given more time for the project.