Final Project N420

Walking through Capstones really gave me an insight on what is quality work opposed to quantity work. The best Capstones in my opinion didn’t have a lot to them but the work that was there was really well done and every time I would see someone’s project that had tons of elements going on none of them would be the same quality as the one element capstones. After talking with the presenters the idea of starting as soon as possible rang true. It’s not hard to tell what capstones were successful and what ones were not, but as the presenter my location is certainly something I am going to think about going into the next fall semester. I want to be in a prime location and not get lost in the rooms not everyone goes to.  

The pitch exercise also helped me because the elevator pitch is what you use to describe your project to people walking by. One presenter in particular had to describe his project to another professor and he nailed it within 15 seconds and left room for questions, which is exactly what I am going to work on as I am doing my capstone.  As I work countless hours and strive to create something that leaves an impression on anyone that sees it, I need to make sure that my description can hold their interest long enough to really look at the model.

1.       Nathan Moody 

a.       Why did you choose this for your capstone project?

                                                               i.      I wanted to advance my skills in storytelling.

b.      What are some of the changes that you had to make between your original idea and what you are presenting today?

                                                               i.      I actually didn’t have to change much!

c.       What is your opinion of the timeline for your capstone? Was it helpful or a waste of time? Why?

                                                               i.      I needed to make one in order to figure out where I was, but other than that I didn’t stick to it but I just used it to gauge how far along I was.

d.      If you could change anything about your capstone, what would that be?

                                                               i.      Wanted to have more physical materials, but it was out of my means because of cost.

e.      What advice would you give me in planning for my capstone?

                                                               i.      Do something you are familiar with, but at the same time try to do something new but don’t try to do too much new stuff to overwhelm yourself.

2.       Kenneth Van Velzen

a.       Why did you choose this for your capstone project?

                                                               i.      I got to connect all three things I like: graphic design, 3D, and my interest in pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities.

b.      What are some of the changes that you had to make between your original idea and what you are presenting today?

                                                               i.      I focused a lot more on the context, not so much the design. I didn’t want to sacrifice the importance of what it is for just the design.

c.       What is your opinion of the timeline for your capstone? Was it helpful or a waste of time? Why?

                                                               i.      I did mine in a semester, it was tough, but it is doable. If you just do it every week, you’ll be fine.

d.      If you could change anything about your capstone, what would that be?

                                                               i.      I would probably go further with it. It’s tough because when do you stop with the design? There is always more to be done.

e.      What advice would you give me in planning for my capstone?

                                                               i.      Keep on your timeline and make sure you meet with your mentor, because they aren’t going to push you to meet with them but they are such a valuable resource.

3.       Xian Guan

a.       Why did you choose this for your capstone project?

                                                               i.      I always wanted to be a 3D character artist in this industry.

b.      What are some of the changes that you had to make between your original idea and what you are presenting today?

                                                               i.      I was going to do 3 characters, but I only had time for two. I was also going to do fan work, but the characters didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to.

c.       What is your opinion of the timeline for your capstone? Was it helpful or a waste of time? Why?

                                                               i.      Every time I set my plan as 100% I could only achieve like 80% of it so I would put 120% down and try to do a 100% to even things out.

d.      If you could change anything about your capstone, what would that be?

                                                               i.      I would change some technical details such as the hair and I would do a lot more simple things when it comes to the character.

e.      What advice would you give me in planning for my capstone?

                                                               i.      Watch out for scope and start now!!! 

Timeline Explanation

Well, well, well, it's finally that time in my college career that I am outlining my Capstone to maximize my time and my efforts to keep me on track to complete the Fenway Park 3D model on time.

Recently I found out that I would be staying another semester at IUPUI, so my capstone has been pushed back into the Fall of 2013 category, which I will look at as a benefit instead of a hindrance. I am at a stage of my capstone that is crucial and now that I have an extra summer and a semester to work on it, it should be that much better.

Since it is a year away, I had to go with Capstone Timeline form 2. With this being a 3D modelling project it is difficult to outline from the beginning where my stumbling points will be but I tried my best to outline it in a way to maximize the most crucial aspect of the project (the modelling) and to allow myself breathing room along the way not to feel I am running out of time if I stay on task. The timeline is extremely flexible for me in the sense of I can push things back if need be after the modelling stage. Rendering is important but it doesn't necessarily need an entire month in the timeline but I can keep modelling while rendering as well if need be.

The timeline will certainly change along the way and next semester it would certainly be smart of me to create another timeline using the first form and break it down by weeks instead of months. I will say this assignment has definitely kicked my mind into high gear and I am going to get started as soon as I can.

Peer Capstone Support Group

1. My Capstone field is in 3D modeling

2. Technology: Autodesk Maya, Adobe Aftereffects, possibly Adobe Premiere

3. I am in a group with Jacob Wright and Eric Brandenburg for the class as we are all doing something in Autodesk Maya and in 3D.

Looking At the Big Picture

I thought pairing up with Matt Thacker and talking about our capstones gave me a new insight on modeling. He is also interested in 3D modeling and we talked about each others capstone. I learned from Matt that presentation is just as important as the model itself. Matt isn't sure what he wants to model but he explained to me in depth how he was going to present it and what program he was going to use. The conversation made me reflect on how much I had left out of the planning process by not thinking about the way of presenting a capstone that was in 3D and in 2D.

Whenever Matt had to tell the rest of the class my capstone I wanted to jump in and add this and that just to make sure everyone knew every detail to what I was doing. I didn't though, which made me learn that the description of my capstone isn't concrete enough and I need to work on knowing exactly what I want to do. I have a great start, but I need a solid capstone that is set in stone.

(Old Account) What is a capstone?

It all started so long ago......my first day of school. Now I am not referring to my first day of college, high school, middle school, or elementary school. I am referring to my first day of actual academia and education.....kindergarten! I am just two semesters away from finishing my education and enter the world that exists outside the doors. A lot of people have already integrated into the workplace and I can honestly say I haven't done anything job related besides a small job at movie theater in high school. My focus has been school from day one and now that it's winding down it's sort of scary to think that the last thing I have to do is a capstone.

Yes, the glorious capstone. A project so important it makes most final projects look like a ten point assignment. For me, I know exactly what I want to do and already have a mentor that wants to help me achieve the best amount of success from this capstone. A capstone is not only a way to graduate but it's a reflection of your overall work in school. Not just college, but all of your education that you've acquired over the years. I want to go out with a bang and ride the waves to a job that is in my field of 3D. Now it may not all happen the way I hope it will, but in the end all I can do is put out my best work and see what may come my way. I feel two semesters is an ample amount of time for me to construct a baseball stadium in 3D, and make it look impressive at all stages of the model. If any people from the industry happen to be there, I want them to leave with their head turned and exceed their expectations. This is a glorious opportunity that everyone should take to show off their talents.

I look forward to posting in this blog, stay tuned for more over the coming semesters for updates!

(Old Account) Capstone Ideas

My Capstone is going to be to model a baseball stadium, but I am still unsure over which one I want to do. I will explore various ideas and methods I will incorporate into the Capstone.....


1. I have a strong idea that I should do the stadium I dream about when I go to sleep because that's the one my team plays for and I have already incorporated the Red Sox into so many of my college assignments that it just seems like the right thing to do. Fenway Park is a very old stadium that has been renovated many times to keep up with the times, which means that modeling it will be very challenging. I love a good challenge, it motivates me to put out my best work and I really flourish under impossible stipulations. I would begin by mapping out the infield so I know where the field would be in the model. Then I would start constructing the outfield walls and work my way backwards. I find that the easiest way of progressing from such a daunting start. (From Albers classes' I've realized that starting out is harder than actually modeling anything)

2. My next idea would be to model a stadium that is closer to me for example, Wrigley Field in Chicago. There are a lot of benefits of being able to go to a stadium whenever I want that I am modelling. Finding resource images is always a challenge and in fact with the ability to go to the stadium I could do my own resource images, which would be ideal. (I have had problems in the past doing assignments for Albers when the item's picture isn't very good.) My only drawback from doing any other stadium than Fenway is, that it won't be as motivating to really model a stadium I love when it's just the Cubs.....a team that I don't care for. (My best model to date has been modelling something that I am passionate for)

3. If I were to really go for gold I would do the new Marlins stadium. Why, You ask? The newest and best stadium is the one most new to people and I really think there is a market out there for construction 3D modellers. If I do the brand new Marlins stadium I could really impress a lot of people sense the stadium is very complex and high tech since it was constructed in the last 2 years. I would probably need 3 semesters to really churn out something as advanced as the Marlins stadium, but it certainly isn't out of the realm of possibility to do that.