I spend a decent amount of time on google, pinterest, sketching. I'll draw out complicated areas or even textures and UV mapping ideas. Everytime I start a project and I make the concept and idea sound (or concept art look) good the project turns out so much better. I also end up completing it faster.
Because I can barely draw or design anything decently before hand, I usually jump right in once I have some ideas what to make. Pinterest is a good source of inspiration and ideas. Then I try things as I go along. Sometimes things don't work out well, so I change some more. And as for things work out well, I run into lack…
About an hour of talk between myself and anyone else remotely involved at the start of the week (if I'm doing a character I might talk about specific requirements the rig might need etc, a level might need me to discuss vertex distribution for lighting etc). So far as the actual modelling, well during that hour or so i'll…