Fairy Tale Research

"A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features European folkloric fantasy characters, such as dwarves, elves, fairies, giants, gnomes, goblins, mermaids, trolls or witches and usually magic or enchantments. Fairy tale may be distinguished from other folk narratives such as legends and explicity moral tales, including beast fables."

This selection of research points out that trolls are originally from fairy tales, therefore the two themes shouldn't be too difficult to combine as they both cover the same "fantasy" theme.

"The term is also used to describe something blessed with unusual happiness, as in "fairy tale ending" (a happy ending) or "fairy tale romance" (though not all fairy tales end happily). Colloquially, a fairy tale can also mean any far fetched story or tall tale; it is used especially of any story that not only is not true, but could not possibly be true."

This also points out how the fairy tale theme is unrealistic and unique - couldn't become possible in the realistic world. It also mentions how fairy tales are usually unrealistically happy, so i'm thinking of creating concepts for character with perhaps a positive aesthetic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_tale

Troll Research

"Trolls are monsters that come from Scandinavian myths and Nordic fantasy. Trolls are called Trows in myths from the Shetlands. Trolls are not especially intelligent and are often associated with an element. The most common description of Trolls is a tough ugly creature with tough rock like skin. Trolls have the powers to regenerate even if hacked apart. The only way to stop a Troll regenerating is burning the monster. Trolls diet is unusual, as they will eat anything including metal, bone, wood and rocks. The stomachs of trolls contain very powerful digestive acids. This has led Trolls to an unpleasant form of attack of vomiting over their target; this is an extremely painful attack. Sometimes Trolls use basic hand weapons such as clubs or large stones."

http://www.mythcreatures.co.uk/beasts/troll.asp

This piece of research gives me the idea to create distinct, ugly looking trolls. This suits my rule of using typical troll type features - such as long noses, pointed, long ears, different body structures (linking to my other theme), this could also depend on the diet of the troll as the research states "trolls eat anything including metal, bone, wood and rocks".

Week 2

Two Themes:

1. Fairy tale
2. Troll

Three Rules:

1. Has to include typical troll features - Trolls are often recognized through their exaggerated, ugly features, often the long pointed ears. I'm thinking to include over sized ears in most of my concepts.
2. To appear as unrealistic as possible - Fairy tale's go against realism completely. Their objective is to create a fantasy unique to the ordinary, therefore I think my designs should be unique and unrealistic also. 
3. Each concept must have a unique build - Troll's are known for their unique shapes and sizes, likewise to the previous rule; their shapes exaggerate their difference to realism.

Basic shapes of characters, building from basic shapes.

Ideas and annotations for the rough shapes for a female character.

Idea and annotations for the rough shapes for a male character.

Developing on ideas and silhouettes.

Detailed and progressed  female designs.

Detailed and progressed male design.

Digitally drawn male design.

Primary research - Instrument examples

These images should be helpful references when designing concepts for steampunk  themed instruments.

Primary research - Steampunk examples

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