AVATAR - SAMSON DESIGN FEATURETTE - 2009
In the weeks leading up to James Cameron's Avatar theatrical opening, Lightstorm Entertainment released several "behind the scenes" videos online to heighten interest in and awareness of the ground breaking 3D film.
In this video, I share about the design development curve of one of the flying vehicles I designed for the film; the Samson VTAL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) personnel transport vehicle.
In this video, I share about the design development curve of one of the flying vehicles I designed for the film; the Samson VTAL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) personnel transport vehicle.
AVATAR - SCORPION DESIGN FEATURETTE - 2009
In this installment of the Avatar "behind the scenes" videos, I speak about the importance of understanding the narrative and/or back story of a particular design task.
AVATAR - AMP SUIT DESIGN FEATURETTE - 2009
This next Avatar video, which deals with the design and construction of the film's Amplified Mobility Platform (AMP Suit), sheds a little light on the transition of a design moving from the conceptual sphere into the real world, at least with regards to form and function.
Once my designs for the AMP suit were approved by Avatar Director James Cameron, and the responsibility of fabrication landed in the hands of the craftsman at Legacy Effects (then Stan Winston Studios), my role shifted from Conceptual Designer to Art Director.
It is my belief, informed by my professional experience, that a foundational understanding of Art Direction - how one successfully shepherds a design from idea to reality - provides not only a powerful set of tools in the creative market place, but an avenue to greater personal awareness and understanding of oneself as a designer.
Once my designs for the AMP suit were approved by Avatar Director James Cameron, and the responsibility of fabrication landed in the hands of the craftsman at Legacy Effects (then Stan Winston Studios), my role shifted from Conceptual Designer to Art Director.
It is my belief, informed by my professional experience, that a foundational understanding of Art Direction - how one successfully shepherds a design from idea to reality - provides not only a powerful set of tools in the creative market place, but an avenue to greater personal awareness and understanding of oneself as a designer.
AVATAR - THE PROCESS OF DESIGN - 2010
Sideshow Collectables is a California based company which creates high quality licensed figures and statuary for blockbuster films including, Star Wars, Terminator, Aliens, Lord of the Rings, Batman, Iron Man, Harry Potter, Hellboy, and Avatar, just to name a few.
As part of their ongoing efforts to spotlight various artists and designers who work behind the scenes on such pictures, they invited me and Avatar creature designer, Yuri Bartoli, to share about our experience on the film and provide some insights into our process of developing a design.
As part of their ongoing efforts to spotlight various artists and designers who work behind the scenes on such pictures, they invited me and Avatar creature designer, Yuri Bartoli, to share about our experience on the film and provide some insights into our process of developing a design.
VISUAL ARTS MINNESOTA - KEYNOTE TO HIGH SCHOOL ART SHOW PARTICIPANTS - 2012
In the spring of 2012, I was invited to speak to a group of high school students who participated in a regional juried art exhibition.
Historically I've not spoken to such a young audience, therefore I worked to present some personal ideas I felt would provide creative value as they moved forward with their artistic endeavors and entered into adulthood.
Historically I've not spoken to such a young audience, therefore I worked to present some personal ideas I felt would provide creative value as they moved forward with their artistic endeavors and entered into adulthood.
©2012 TyRUBEN ELLINGSON