Environment Design | Fundamentals (Exercises)

21.4.2025 - 27.6.2025 || Week 1 - Week 10 

Yong Zhen Xing || 0359473
Environment Design || Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Fundamentals (Exercises)

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Contents

1. Lectures

2. Instructions

3. Exercises

    Final Outcome

4. Reflection

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Lectures

Week 1 

On the first week, Mr.Kannan introduced us to what is to be expected in the entire duration of Environment Design Module.

Week 2

On week 2, Mr.Kannan thought us on how to create simple yet powerful concept art. It all starts with understanding what perspective you aim for. Then it is essentially using shortcuts to create fast compositions. Shortcuts such as using a base image as a start, photobashing and also altering already made designs with our own twist.

fig 1.1, Lecture & Demo (30/4/2025)

Week 3

On week 3, Mr. Kannan touched on knowing your art direction and well as your concept before only executing the design. He also explained about the importance of using line weight and value when drawing to create depth as well as knowing your perspective (camera shot) of the world. He then did a simple demonstration on his thought process when drawing as well as a simple photobashing demonstration.

fig 1.2, Lecture & Demo (7/5/2025)

Week 4

This week, Mr.Kannan explained on how important is it for your drawings to communicate to people. This can be done through a simple silhouette sketch and seeing if the shape of the silhouette looks interesting. He then sketched a simple environment from a simple silhouette. As he sketched, he also explained his thought process.

fig 1.3, Lecture & Demo (14/5/2025)

Week 5 

In week 5, Mr.Kannan explains on the importance of studying different shapes, materials as well as colour palette when it comes to doing environment. Studying these can open up your understanding to its shape language and how you can simplify it when concepting. He then sketched a simple environment with photobashing to show us what you can experiment with when drawing.

fig 1.4, Lecture & Demo (21/5/2025)

Week 6 - 15

From week 6 onwards, we had consultation every class where we slowly progressed on project 1 up to our final.

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Instructions

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Fundamentals (Exercises)

In exercises, we were to do multiple tasks that will help us better understand the fundamentals of environment design.

Note : As exercises and project 1 are related, there would be some repeats/similarities of images and explanations.

First we needed to do some perspective drawings so we could improve our understanding of perspectives better. This means drawing 1-4 point perspective as a study which can be seen below.

fig 2.1, 1-Point Perspective Study (6/7/2025)

fig 2.2, 2-Point Perspective Study (6/7/2025)

fig 2.3, 3-Point Perspective Study (6/7/2025)

fig 2.4, 4-Point Perspective Study (6/7/2025)

Then we needed to practice on doing compositions (simple sketches) which can be seen below. Following that is a value painting on the compositions. It was really fun to experiment different environments for my selected game.

For the first 2 composition (fig 3.2 & 3.3), I used a forest/jungle environment (fig 3.1) as a guide.

fig 3.1, Referenced Image (6/5/2025)

fig 3.2, Composition 1 (6/5/2025)

fig 3.3, Composition 2 (6/5/2025)

fig 3.4, Composition 3 (13/5/2025)

fig 3.5, Composition 4 (13/5/2025)

For this 5th composition, I needed to redo after a feedback session regarding its wrong perspective. For some reason, I have never considered utilizing the perspective vanishing point to help with you perspective. So this was a great wake up lesson for me.

fig 3.6 & fig 3.7, Old Composition 5 (20/5/2025)

Below is the updated composition.

fig 3.8, Updated Composition 5 (27/5/2025)

Afterwards also needed to value paint the compositions which can be seen below. 

fig 4.1, Composition 1 Value Painting (6/5/2025)

fig 4.2, Composition 2 Value Painting (6/5/2025)

fig 4.3, Composition 3 Value Painting (13/5/2025)

fig 4.4, Composition 4 Value Painting (2/7/2025)

fig 4.5, Composition 5 Value Painting (2/7/2025)

For Ambience and Vignette Set Design, it will be showcased in project 1's post. The image below however shows my colour management which is basically my main building structure experimented with different colours.

fig 5.1, Building Design [From Project 1] (10/6/2025)

fig 5.2, Colour Management 1 (7/7/2025)

fig 5.3, Colour Management 2 (7/7/2025)

fig 5.4, Colour Management 3 (7/7/2025)

Lastly, photobashing was also done on the original structure design which can be seen below.

fig 6.1, Photobashing (7/7/2025)

Final Outcome

fig 7.1, Final Exercises (7/7/2025)

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Reflection

This exercise has been especially helpful in teaching me perspective better. Before starting any composition now, I should establish the vanishing point and use it and guidance. The composition exercise has also made me utilize the design principles such as leading lines and rules of third to make the composition more interesting and engaging to look at. Photobashing  my building structure was also fairly interesting as I tried to made it look more realistic.

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My Other Environment Design Work :

Exercises (Current)

Project 1 : Exterior and Landscape Design

Project 2 : Interior and Set Design

Final Project : Complete Environment Design Bible