From establishing the backstory for the game/film, I have compiled a mood board for the tone I want to establish when developing the items. I want settings to look as though they were reclaimed by nature, bricks and buildings slowly being torn apart by growth. I think this gives me an opportunity to consider how life and construct interact with one another. Having a setting densely populated with trees and humidity can cause the metal to rust and break. Choosing a setting like this was intentional as it gives me an opportunity to explore conditioning on items and props.

I’ve also decided to look into concept art for alien technology and weaponry. Smooth surfaces and curves, bringing an overwhelming sense of futuristic to the world. Alien technology can be created from elements not known to Earth so coming up with a set of rules for the elements to follow will give me the chance to really explore fantasy and really practice world building.

Artist Simon Stalenhag typically explores themes of alien arrival and how their technology interacts with our own. It creates interesting narratives in simple paintings that say everything and yet nothing. In one frame, ten years of narrative can be constructed. He is definitely someone I want to analyse to assist with world building. If he can create a whole story in one painting, analysing how a prop fits into the bigger picture and how it influences other things is exactly what I’m trying to do.

I have assembled a Pinterest board to use as  reference material, making sure that I can keep referring to it when I construct the items and make sure they are in touch with the themes and narratives I want. Pinterest board