Shaely Caldwell
Character Artist
Self-Image
Art Lead at Otherside Studios
Self-Image is a third-person 3D puzzle game about a girl's journey to heal from body dysmorphia.
I lead the art department by coordinating with the producer and creative director, organizing tasks for fellow artists, and reviewing and approving art assets for engine implementation.
I am also tasked with the design and sculpting of the main character, Anna, as well as multiple enemy characters called Negatives. Finally, I make illustrations for the game's user interface and model and texture some environmental props.
Team size: 14
Production time: 9 months
This project has been a huge stepping stone in my education on the game production process and the importance of documentation and communication within it. Together, my team has worked to overcome organizational roadblocks to improve work efficiency and collaboration. I also improved my model retopology and UV skills in Maya through peer review and practice with Self-Image's characters.
Anna's Creation
I played a key part in the conceptualization and modeling of the protagonist of Self-Image. I was introduced and familiarized with the Quick Draw tool in Maya during this process.
Conceptualization
I made sketches in Paint Tool Sai exploring character designs and color palettes for Anna.
I then sculpted the initial Anna model using ZBrush. Her proportions were later altered to better fit the more exaggerated style of the game.
Sculpting the "Negatives"
The Negatives are a group of four different enemies within Self-Image. They work alongside the main antagonist, the "Hollow," to harm Anna on her journey to recovery. I sculpted three out of four of these creatures using concept art created by our team's creative director. I brought them from Zbrush to Maya to reduce their polygon count with the Quick Draw retopology tool. Finally, I textured the Negatives in Procreate and prepared the models for our animator to rig.
Spotter Negative
This Negative acts as a searchlight. It remains stationary, but scans its giant eye back and forth while looking for Fleck. Its roots were uniquely challenging to retopologize.
Its model consists of 4,065 polygons.
Floating Negative
This Negative patrols the same area as the Spotter Negative above, but it has the ability to float freely throughout the level. It also searches for Fleck.
Its model consists of 3,405 polygons.
Scrawny Negative
This Negative resides in a level separate from the two above. This creature follows Fleck and attempts to latch onto her, transforming her into an emaciated form of herself. It itself is emaciated with its bones protruding from under the skin.
Its model consists of 2,398 polygons.
