Worked on a design for a collaboration class and having a bit of trouble and would love some feedback to the design choices. The more textured and rendered out piece I was told was too boring and too much "Just a sci-fi box" so any ideas on how to spice it up well?
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Don't add stuff willy-nilly though. The box itself should tell a story of some kind.
Things you might want to think about when designing this box:
-What is the box made of?
-Who made the box? Space marines? Space Pirates? Scientists? An alien race?
-What does the box contain? Is it trying to keep something safe, or prevent something from getting out? (Keeping valuables vs. biohazard/radioactive containment)
-How does this box open up?
-Where is this box located?
-Is this box fragile? Is it strong enough to withstand bullets/explosions, or does it fall apart easily?
If you ask yourself questions like these while designing stuff like this, answer them in your design.
Material definition is lacking too. Make the metal read like metal, plastic like plastic, etc.
Well, the beauty of boxes is that their only purpose in games is really just too blend in. Boxes are just there to "fill in unwanted space" as a friend would say. So "looking boring" unfortunately just comes with the job of being a box.
But you know whats cool about boxes? The surprises that are in them! So how do we spice it up? There are a few things.
Now I don't know the nature of what you are trying to do (modeling it as a stand alone piece, or a scene). But if possible model something in it. If that is not a possibility. Find out WHAT is inside the box, and design the box based on what it is carrying.
Why? On the Design I am seeing Pipes; but what are the pipes for I wonder? Well maybe its a coolant container. But if that is the case where are the external cables to hook into the walls? or if its an internal box, where is the Built in generator? also how does this box open? does it use hinges, or is it just a huge block of metal. and even then how does one open it? looks far too heavy to just push it. So there has got to be a button, voice command(something to talk into), or even a lever.
Most of the time you can spice up an asset by just adding "usability" to it. (and bolts, lots, and lots of bolts)
Your paintover helps a lot with the silhouette and to break up the boxy look of it. How are you planning on making the details in the final version? Are you going to create a high poly and bake the detail down?
But for your second piece remember to model modular. Don't build it as an "L" Corner piece. build the one side, and then a center piece (box like asset) for the walls to insert into. keep it flat, and go from there.
again if a design is ever lacking. Model in usage. Put in vents, access ducts, the vents, and doors will need things to grip onto to open.