16.References

This is the summary of Emilio Padulo's Level Design Master Class.

· Collecting visual references

· Architectural references

· Environment references

· Light references

· Prop references

· Style references

1. Collecting visual references

· So now that we have a good concept that we are going to work with, it’s time to collect our mood board.

· A mood board is basically a collection of references that are going to represent what our level will be.

· This is key to creating our world.

· There are 2 main references we will want to collect:

- Photo references

- Video references

· Both of these will give a great visual representation of what you want to accomplish.

2. Architectural references

· This reference is the building structure or style we will want to attain.

· These references will be:

- Architectural detail(brick,stone,concrete)

- Design / Construction Style

- Interior / Exterior Style

3. Environment references

· This reference covers the environmental setting.

· These references will be:

- Mountains

- Locations

- Landscape

- Tone

4. Light references

· This reference is probably the most important one of them all.

· It creates both the mood and tone for the whole environment.

· Look at references that depict how your level will be lit up.

· It is important to note that references for both exterior and interior should be collected.

· Thses references should play on the feeling of the environment.

· These references will be:

- Time of day

- Your light and shadow differences

- The color palette of the lighting

5. Props references

· These are commonly known as the assets that bring your level to life.

· Props help fill up dead space in a level to give it more depth and a distinguishable characteristic to it.

· These references will be:

- List the props you want to have

- Gather references for them

- How do they look in similar areas in your level

6. Style references

· This would be the art style you wish to go with for your level.

· You create the general direction that will be your guide for how it will look.

· Concept art is great to collect in order to nail down your individual idea.