Moodboard
Moodboard for ‘Muntjac Deer’: https://pin.it/secmnotfhyhmg5
After analysing Ala’s GDD, I decided it would be a good start to begin researching muntjac deer to familiarise myself with the game’s protagonist. Firstly, I made a moodboard as a method of investigating the muntjac deer’s appearance as well as providing myself with reference material to sketch from.
Sketching
During the sketching process, I decided to research about the muntjac deer’s appearance and habits to help me understand the creature better. I incorporated some of my findings by exploring different aspects of the deer’s appearance. These aspects include the disparity between female and male muntjac deer in appearance, different types of horns, fur patterns, etc.
During my research, I discovered that male muntjacs possess “short, backwards-curving and unbranched antlers” (Muntjac Deer, n.d.) whilst female muntjacs “have tufts of hair in place of antlers” (Deer, n.d.). In the sketches above, I explore the various types of horns and tufts. From this research, I concluded that the muntjac deer from Ala’s GDD is male as it possesses horns as opposed to tufts.
I also found that their facial markings also differ according to gender, with females possessing “diamond-shaped” (Muntjac Deer, n.d.) markings and males possessing “V-shaped” (Muntjac Deer, n.d.) markings. In the sketches above, I explore the different facial markings using references from my muntjac deer moodboard.
Additionally, I decided to researched the muntjac deer diet as I wanted to understand why muntjac deer would eat other animals as specified in Ala’s GDD. However, I found that they seem to be herbivores as they feed on “shrubs, shoots, grass fruit and shoots” (Deer, n.d.).
Animal Mutations Research
Moodboard for ‘Animal Mutations’: https://pin.it/6mU7bJ9
I decided to also make a moodboard for animal mutations since it was one of the game’s main concepts. I thought it would be good research material for when it came to designing different mutations for the animals in the game.
During the process of making this moodboard, I discovered a particular artist I liked, who had drawn various artworks that showcased different animal mutations. What particularly intrigued me was that some of their works consisted of the same animal/creature in different mutated forms. I thought this would be good research material for ‘Eden’ as the game consists of many mutated animals that change appearance according to their diet.
Artist Research
Witherlings – https://www.deviantart.com/witherlings/gallery)
Some of Witherlings’ Animal Mutation Drawings:
Shown above are two of Witherlings’ drawings that I especially liked, the right showcasing more minor differences in mutations whilst the left showcases more drastic alterations between mutation concepts. According to Ala’s GDD, the mutations should be on the more subtle side so the artwork on the right is more relevant. Furthermore, both artworks display mutations that appear to use nature as a basis for the changes in appearance. This means that they work well as inspiration for designing mutated herbivores/omnivores.
Bibliography
Deer, n.d., viewed 6 February 2020, <https://animalcorner.org/animals/deer/>.
Muntjac Deer, n.d., viewed 6 February 2020, <https://www.bds.org.uk/index.php/advice-education/species/muntjac-deer>.
Muntjac Deer, n.d., viewed 6 February 2020, <https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/mammals/muntjac-deer/>.
Eden: A Muntjac's Tale 
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