Posts Tagged ‘3D’

is a graphic designer with experience in both printed media and digital multimedia graphics, including photography, animation and video. Maintains a distinctive style, often using unconventional and re-cycled materials. He is also a keen Musician regularly performing his mix of electronic and percussive instrumentation live in and around Liverpool. Over 10 years experience of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, MM Director and Flash, and has recently added to that 3D modelling and rendering using Alias Studio Maya. BA Hons Graphic Design Liverpool John Moore’s University (G. 1996).

Prior to working for Onteca:

client:Richard lloyd Jones – Design (London) On-screen Graphics and properties for BBC productions, (inc. “My Dad’s The P.M.” and “Chiller”) and for Sky TV Production, “Dream Team” (2004)

client: Clare Gabbot – Video Production (Liverpool) Filming of various live comedy productions (Rawhide Comedy Club) for archive and promotional video. Filming of annual performances by Anfield Detached Youth Project. (2003 – 04)

client: Maguffin Ltd. (London) Artwork, design and effects for filming of music video (“John Lennon – Working Class Hero” Music Video DVD, properties and runner.(2003)

client: GS Records – 2003 Music IT Course (Liverpool) Course Co-ordinator, audio engineer, tuition of digital (2003)

client: ADS UK – Web Development (London) Design, animations for web projects. (2001 – 02)

client: Hype Design (Liverpool) Multimedia, web design, (inc. promotional CD Rom for Luxor Lighting) (2001)

client: Moorfields Digital Printers & Finishers (Liverpool) Designer and print-technician, P.O.S. graphics, advertising and company literature, exhibition, large format, floor graphics and special media. (1998 – 2000)

client: Connect (Liverpool) Web designer for “Merseyworld” project, (sites inc. Liverpool Airport & Laver Publishing) (1997)

client: Hillsborough Survivors and Families for Justice Campaign (Liverpool) Design of Logotype to represent the JUSTICE group, used on all stationary and merchandise (1997)

client: Littlewoods Home Shopping (Liverpool) Catalogue design and marketing for menswear department, new-product marketing, stationary and publicity material.

Current Research

We are committed to working with new and developing technologies. Through our research working with artists and commercial developers, we have been continually pushing the boundaries of possibility for the platforms we work on. Be it pioneering 3D Graphics on early PCs or innovations on the latest mobile phones – we are determined to be there first.

ITEM

We are developing cutting edge creative tools for artists through the ITEM project, hosted at FACT , the UK’s leading organisation for the development, support and exhibition of film, video and new and emerging media. This project is funded by NESTA and the Arts Council of England and is being co-produced in association with the FACT Centre. ONTECA is working together with artist Jen Southern to explore the use of dynamic multi-user GPS as collaborative drawing tool

blu_box

Working in partnership with artist Maria N Stukoff and the Manchester Metropolitan Universities Regeneration Office (MMU) – we are pioneering a new game experience for Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones: blu_box. Taking advantage of the emergent networked city, wireless communication tools are fast becoming the preferred personal entertainment devices. The mobile phone acting as a wireless beacon to receive and collect data. ONTECA is moving beyond basic Bluetooth audio visual exchange p protocols by developing and piloting new Bluetooth applications for social game-play. The blu_box project is creating new grounds for the reality of exciting street-based gaming environments by creatively enhancing and pushing the technology of mobile phones.

A design for a virtual world which combined elements of cinema, video game and art installation, created through a collaboration between a group of disabled artists and Onteca, involving an extensive training element.

Occuring between 2002 and 2004, this project originated as a training programme and period of development meetings involving a group of Disabled artists and Onteca. One element was the provision of training in new media production techniques for some of the disabled artists involved. This training was in basic skills such as image manipulation and video editing, more advanced skills such as 3D modelling and video compositing.

The eventual project, as conceived by the group, was a virtual game world where insects that incarnated certain personality types (such as aggression, or calmly hardworking, or carefree) would clash in a virtual environment. This environment would be projected on the wall of a space and the game would be controlled by the audience positioning themselves within that space. Advice would be delivered by three ‘Fates’, pieces of video designed to sync with the action of the game and projected on the ceiling.

Onteca has run a series of short workshops (lasting from two days to a week) in professional media production skills, many on behalf of Media Training North West. Each of the skills are used by Onteca in the cross-platform work of the company. These courses have been pitched to meet a number of different student needs, from community groups without previous experience, to working professionals seeking to refine their skills. Examples of previous courses are:

After Effects & Premiere
Concentrating on the use of these production tools to create CGI for moving image. These editing packages can be comined with colour keys and production techniques to provide effective special effects.

Game Design& Quality Assurance
Looking at how to use a variety of design theories and industry practices to ensure a smooth and creative workflow.

Java Programming for mobiles
Applications that work across platforms, networks and phone types, drawing on Onteca’s extensive experience in this area.

World Builders
‘Modding’ existing games can be an easy way into 3D design for beginners, and a useful way to speed up production schedules for professional game designers. Increasing numbers of games that started of as ‘mods’ have become comeercial properties in their own right. Also the use of generic world builders that can be used across, games, engines and platforms.

Introduction to 3D Modelling
A beginner’s introduction to Maya. This is a complex and very powerful application that is used across the Games and CGI industry. This course provides an initial access point for personal or further study. To become good takes years, but you have to start somewhere.

Web Design Using CSS and accessible GUIs
Web design the correct way. Useful both for beginners and those web-designers who have become trapped in the habit of using tables and want to evolve their practice to fit the current industry standards.

Ring-tone Production
Creating your own ring-tones from scratch.

If you own an iPhone, chances are you haven’t come close to unlocking its full potential. Want to find out what the world’s most revolutionary pocket-sized communications and entertainments device can really do?

Developing iPhone Applications is one of Onteca’s brand new Introductory courses that is offering people who are just starting out along the path to be a games developer, or just those want to satisfy their curiosity and learn something new.

There are literally thousands of applications specifically designed for the iPhone to enhance its functionality and course participants will learn how to develop their own Apps so they can later on be released to the Apps store.

Participants will learn about XCode and Introduction to Objective-C, the tools used to build every iPhone application and how to build a simple application which can run on Simulator, iPhone or iPod Touch.

At Onteca we aim to ensure this fast growing digital content industry is recognised as an important component of the economy and the Onteca Training Programmes are a great way to make this training accessible to a mass audience.

Developing iPhone Apps is just one of many Short Courses at Onteca. Other Short Courses include Introduction to C++, 2D/3D Modelling for iPhone Games, Introduction to CSS and many more courses that will put your technical abilities to the test.

These courses represent Onteca’s desire to always be looking for new ways to train people in innovative technologies and unconventional career paths. Whether trying something entirely new or re-training in the latest advances in your chosen field you won’t have to take a week off work to do these courses.

Onteca’s short courses run from one to two days to act as a taster session or for those who do not have the time for a full course.

Onteca based in Liverpool is the only place where participants receive vocational training across a wide range of creative industry-based courses from practising professionals.

Every office has its own personalised methodology when approaching their day to day work load. Many arrive at the office armed with their double espresso venti cappuccino, set in the zone of hammering out a perfected PowerPoint presentation to the corporate big wigs. Some people even knowingly glue themselves to their poorly manufactured and terribly uncomfortable office chairs from the hours of 9-5, unbeknown to them that they are haven’t seen daylight for over a year. This I am happy to report is NOT the working structure of the Onteca office.

With any job that involves an individual to exert their creativity within their work, environment and habitual comforts are essential. At Onteca it is apparent that the company nurtures a freeform style and its colleague’s creative composition through its relaxed approach to business. The Onteca cluster consists of individuals who specialise in various areas, ranging from graphic designers, computer programmers, visual artists and music composer. All of which make Onteca what it is today, a compressed source of enthusiasm and creativity for the world of innovative technology.

Onteca is defiantly independent and want to make their games with as little external interference as possible. They have grown to their size through doing a variety of different projects but our core passion is the production of Computer games. Emerging more as a games developer, Onteca are happy to stay in the shadows of such a commercially run industry and let their work speak for itself. Their work with new emerging technology screams exuberance, modernisation and eccentricity. Components needed in such a conditioned culture where individuals are becoming harder to entertain, and as a result succumbing to the customs of replication.

Onteca to this day

Multitasking is what Onteca does best; here is a little glimpse into what the company is up to.

Bluecoat project – Bluecoat’s is an award-winning art gallery best known for their continuous programme of innovative exhibitions. Dan, Onteca’s own software and computer programming connoisseur is currently working on the Bluecoat project. Bluecoat are looking to improve visitor engagement on their website, this will be done by developing a 3d map. This may sound simple to us techno proletarians; however this requires precise architecture programming in action script 3.

14-19 Diploma – I am sure you have noticed my last blog covering Onteca’s educatory work with students in Wirral. Max is Onteca’s very own film director and interactive media tutor, is currently working with the on the training programme of the 14-19 diploma. The Diploma is an alternative curriculum that combines theoretical and practical study, providing a different style of learning that will offer young people an alternative route into higher education, apprenticeships or employment with training. Onteca provide training in such up-to-date industry standard software packages such as MAYA 3d modelling, Flash, Photoshop, Web Design and Video After Effects.

Onteca Training Programmes – Onteca believes in educating individuals in the different emerging technologies, consequently the company has proposed a new line of Training Programmes. Whether you’re just starting out along the path to be a games developer, or you want to learn how create a custom Smartphone application for your business Onteca will provide a training course tailored to your development needs. Course materials consists of Programming courses e.g. Introduction to C++, iphone 2d and 3d development and intro to CSS. Digital arts courses e.g. Intro to Photoshop, Flash, Autodesk Maya, 3d modelling and intro to web design. And Leadership courses e.g. Thinking the future.

Monsteca Corral– This is a project that is growing ever so close to my heart. Everyone at Onteca has a role to play with the development of the Monsteca Corral game, whether it is creating sounds for the Sdompe’ (Jo), perfecting the artwork of new characters (Rich), working on the architecture of the game (Simon), developing the game as a whole (the maker Ben) or my role of marketing the game to the public.

(Ben: The maker)                                              (Rich: Creator)

Day by day the tick boxes are being crossed off and we are getting closer and closer to the finish line. At the moment Jo is currently making sounds for the game and the characters, this is a very peculiar process to watch first hand when it involves banging chairs against the floor to see the types of sound effects they can make. It is however very interesting to see how different sounds can be manipulated and constructed with such programs as Sound Forge SoundLab. I can’t wait to finally hear how the Sdompe is going to sound.

We now have two months to finish the game so to keep you guys updated I am going to try and keep an up-to-date development diary. Watch firsthand the Monsteca Corral game come together.

See you soon

Hello all, Sophie here.

In my introductory blog last week I told you guys that my ground is in Public Relations and how I will be working on Onteca’s new game Monsteca Corral, furthermore Monsteca is not the only thing that should raise some eyebrows. Unbeknown to many, Onteca plays an exceptional role within the Wirral 14-19 Diploma .

The Diploma is an alternative curriculum that combines theoretical and practical study, providing a different style of learning that will offer young people an alternative route into higher education, apprenticeships or employment with training.

The Diploma combines a wide range of elements that aim to develop confident and independent learners with the skills to succeed in the workplace. In addition to a broad range of knowledge therefore, young people will also gain competency in skills such as independent thinking, English, Maths and IT. Although diplomas will give an insight into particular industries and sectors, the skills gained through such work can be applied to all professions.

Originally the diploma consisted of vocational courses such as Hair and Beauty Studies, Construction and the Built Environment and Retail Business. Subsequently the Diplomas are now advancing along with the progression of modern day technology, and no one knows more about advancements in technology than Onteca.

The guys at Onteca are keen to introduce the Information Technology Diploma to their students, covering areas such as:

1.Business: How organisations work and the role technology can play
2.People: How to work well with other people
3.Technology: How to create technology solutions

Plus exploring a cross theme of multimedia, looking at how to design and develop a multimedia products for a particular audience. Onteca provide training in such up-to-date industry standard software packages as MAYA 3d modelling, Flash, Photoshop, Web Design and Video After Effects.

The Diploma represents a huge opportunity for Wirral students of all abilities to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes to succeed in work and life in the twentieth first century. I personally believe Diplomas like these will help restore the loss of hope many students have lost, by introducing them to totally different form learning.

For more information about the types of Diplomas available go to the Direct Gov website, or feel free to contact me to learn more about Onteca and their contribution to the 14-19 Diplomas in the Wirral area at sophie@onteca.com

See you soon

Greetings

me

This Blog documents the development of Onteca’s current project, a game called “Monsteca Corral” for the Nintendo Wii.
A bit of housekeeping first though.

My Name is Phill Hetherington
I’m a 29 year old junior 3d artist on a 3 month work placement here at Onteca.
Being the office junior, I have something of a unique perspective on the new game, since I know almost nothing about programming, not a massive amount about 3d graphics in games. And until recently nothing about the new game, and the world of Monsteca.
The team are 24 months into the development, and so are nearing the end. It’s a shame that I wasn’t here to document the project from start to finish, but I’ll do my level best to get you up to speed. I have to confess, I’m not sure what I’m going to talk about, but I suspect it’ll be a mix of technical stuff, as I learn about it, as well as some of the marketing stuff, and most likely some completely unrelated stuff.
I hope (whoever you are)that you enjoy reading it, and perhaps find it a useful or interesting source of info.
You can get in touch with me via phill@onteca.com or reply here . I’ll be grateful for your feedback, suggestions, insults and what have you.

This is Surgery

A promotional video for an as yet unmade first person surgery game for the Playstation 3 – this is surgery

beating-heart

A 3d rendered beating heart, modelled and rendered in maya