Excuse me as I'm new to this platform and I'm still finding my way around, but thought I'd share some of my work for a start! I'm a current second year university game art student in the UK and this piece was the first 3D project I created during my first year. Candy Treasure Chest
polycounter lvl 3
Hi everyone Excuse me as I'm new to this platform and I'm still finding my way around, but thought I'd share some of my work for a start! I'm a current second year university game art student in the UK and this piece was the first 3D project I created during my first year.
Excuse me as I'm new to this platform and I'm still finding my way around, but thought I'd share some of my work for a start! I'm a current second year university game art student in the UK and this piece was the first 3D project I created during my first year. 
Brief: Create a low poly, hand painted chest with additional props within a 2k tri limit and 1x2048.tga texture budget in 4 weeks
Modeled in 3ds Max
Textured in Photoshop
Presented in Marmoset
I really enjoyed this project and I was pleased with how quickly and easily I picked up the newly introduced programs, techniques and workflows.
I hadn't previously touched any 3D programs, modelling, texturing or presentation software before this project, but after reviewing university recourses and with assistance from my tutors, I managed to complete it within the deadline and achieved a B grade!
(can't seem to use the Sketchfab feature so here's the link if you'd like to check it out:
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/candy-treasure-chest-592e4f6fb38944aaaaeba40c94815e11 )
Modeled in 3ds Max
Textured in Photoshop
Presented in Marmoset
I really enjoyed this project and I was pleased with how quickly and easily I picked up the newly introduced programs, techniques and workflows.
I hadn't previously touched any 3D programs, modelling, texturing or presentation software before this project, but after reviewing university recourses and with assistance from my tutors, I managed to complete it within the deadline and achieved a B grade!(can't seem to use the Sketchfab feature so here's the link if you'd like to check it out:
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/candy-treasure-chest-592e4f6fb38944aaaaeba40c94815e11 )
Model in 3ds Max
Initial rough design
Initial rough design
All thoughts, critique and advice are welcome! 
I'm more than welcoming to new faces, chats and exchanges so I'll leave my social links below!
Portfolio: https://sopheejay.artstation.com/
ArtStation: https://www.artstation.com/sopheejay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophee.jay.art/?hl=en
DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/sophietopham
I'm more than welcoming to new faces, chats and exchanges so I'll leave my social links below!
Portfolio: https://sopheejay.artstation.com/
ArtStation: https://www.artstation.com/sopheejay
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophee.jay.art/?hl=en
DeviantArt: https://www.deviantart.com/sophietopham
Replies
Anywho this is a reference design i feel your design could have used more of, though this is still a 1st design its best to learn the more appealing approaches to "stylized" works which i feel would have benefited greatly from introducing into your 3D rendition of the concept.
This example luckily i found a super simple chest to explain what i mean, which might have made this stand out way more.(The wood in this example could have also used more exaggerations in the wood indentations.) Here is a good looking wood example i was thinking of
Good luck on the next one.
I couldn't agree more. I was using real life reference for the textures, especially the wood, and so I can agree they ended up a tad more realistic than planned. The example you linked was definitely what I had in mind when designing, and I'm aiming to improve on my stylised hand painted texturing, because it's an area I'd love to go into.
But again, thank you, I really appreciate the feedback!
Wow this is so impressive for a first attempt! I remember my first model and it was not as inspirational as this I can tell you that much! I commend you for starting with stylised game art as well as it can be challenging to conceptualise to begin with.
As for feedback, obviously you were not able to add the stretched gum (or whatever that is) which does happen sometime to everyone because of time restraints but it is a shame because details like that can really help add context and character to the prop. For example, perhaps you could have had the candy cane damaged with shards of it over the chest? Or perhaps it could have been broken in half and the head of it was on the floor?
Also, make sure to practice lighting and framing for the final renders! Dramatic lighting can really help support and frame the prop using hue and contrast. Its super important when emphasising a design 😊
Hope this helped!
I completely forgot to mention that! I planned to add the gum, and to possibly animate it to stretch with the opening of the chest, however we hadn't been taught about alphas at this point, and yes, my time constraint also affected this.
I'll probably go back and add this, as well as a simple animation and adjust the lighting, sometime in the future
Thanks again!
The whole project is viewable here: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/GaOVxN