Mind Map
To begin with starting off my research I have as usual began with the process of creating a mindmap online and this time I have branched from the theme Cyberpunk since it is the new focus of our next project. To help with the production of my mindmap and exercising my thoughts around this new theme I have used the Wikipedia page that defines Cyberpunk to assist me with creating an extensive brainstorming piece as though I understand what Cyberpunk is I have trouble thinking of it in detail due to it being a sub genre of science fiction and never being within my direct line of focus and so it was necessary for me to look up aspects of this genre so that I could extend on them. On my mindmap I have listed multiple media productions that have used this genre and garnered great success whilst also branching off of its high tech aspects where I mention cyborgs and cybernetics. Branching off this theme in the form of a mindmap will help me greatly with this project and conducting the rest of this research as I now have a simple yet detailed list of what is contained within cyberpunk and so I will be able to formulate ideas for our project surrounding this theme much easier than before hand.
Cyberpunk Moodboards
Characters
In my next phase of research I have produced a series of moodboards and starting off this new section I have gathered a series of images that present a multitude of characters within the cyberpunk theme. The reason why I have chosen to gather character references is so that I can see how individuals are depicted within the theme and what the most common form of attire is along with any how they look physically such as cybernetic enhancements and extra artificial limbs. These images show how humans are commonly depicted within the cyberpunk theme which gives an insight into how they might behave and what short of actions they will perform, this moodboard will help me with my project as if I make the decision to attempt a character design then this research will be able to provide me with suitable references and insight that will lead to me creating a suitable character that fits into this projects new theme.
Dystopia
For my next moodboard I have collected images presenting the dystopian environment of the cyberpunk setting. Within cyberpunk the setting is most commonly a troubled distant or near future mega city that presents a dystopian society that can sometimes include features such as an extensive criminal underworld. The research I have collected shows the high tech yet dismal environment of the cyberpunk genre presenting a setting that is reminiscent of the great depression from the real world timeline whilst presenting how a mega city looks and what its structure features. If I am to produce an environmental piece for this project then these images present to me all the detail that is needed to fit an art piece into the cyberpunk and so this moodboard will be a suitable reference for my future work if I decide the inspiration it has given needs to be implemented.
Cybernetics
For my next moodboard I have gathered a collection of images centered around the topic of cybernetics which are a prominent feature within the cyberpunk genre as these are genuinely used by the individuals to enhance their mental and pyshical capabilities occasionally through prosthetic limb transplants that increase their own conditioning as well as chips that forge a greater method of thinking. This research conducted here could be helpful to me in the upcoming developments for this project as it presents to me what kind of cybernetics are available as well as informing me how they look upon the human body as well as what functions they undertake and so these pictures will be ones that I refer to should I decide upon an idea that includes cybernetics.
Cyborgs
This next moodboard presents the group of entities known as cyborgs which are included within the cyberpunk genre as half human half machine individuals. The reason why I have gone with the topic of cyborgs for this moodboard is because of the existence of productions such as Robocop that are set within the genre and utilise this demographic and so gathering a series of images shows me what design they most commonly use as well as what their purpose in society is which within cyberpunk is most of the time to undertake important roles such as law enforcement as well as becoming a labor force. If I decided to include cyborgs within my project then this moodboard provides me with the references I need to create a fashionable and creative entity should I make this decision for my own products.
Weapons
For my final moodboard I have focused on researching the weaponry that is featured within the cyberpunk genre which consists of wacky designs, vibrant colour schemes and some outrageous cosmetic designs and features. This is one area that I would definitely like to focus on for this project as I believe that there is a good chance to produce an interesting and exotic firearm that fits into the genre well whilst also portraying its own style that dosent take itself too seriously, with this research I could combine some of the designs and draw my own with inspiration from these references that I have collected. Though it may seem simple to pick out weapons as a form of research due to its unchallenging factor I do believe that this genre contains some of the most unique and ridiculous designs and so I have decided to include it within my research.
Task 2 Context Research
Contextual Research
To start off my research I began by expanding my knowledge on the Cyberpunk genre which at the moment is relatively miniscule as I have not played or viewed many Cyberpunk productions and so I have browsed through google and found a site that presents many articles and art pieces focused around the Cyberpunk genre that could be used to influence my art work and teach more about the genre as a whole so that I am able to create a suitable final product
This site has the latest developments in Cyberpunk productions and harbours informative articles that piece the genre together for the reader. This site could influence my product as I can use the newest information and productions within the genre to influence the design of my creation. https://www.neondystopia.com/cyberpunk-games/
Cyberpunk Artwork
This section of my research has been gathered from the site 3dtotal.com which includes an article featuring a list of artwork ranked the top 50 cyberpunk art pieces of all time. https://3dtotal.com/news/inspiration/top-50-cyberpunk-art-of-all-time#article-21-deus-ex-mankind-divided-golem-city-social-hub
In this next part of my research I have gathered an art piece produced by the artist Juan Civera. This art piece shows me how you can texture a character and make them look unique with their own sense of style whilst blending them in properly with the Cyberpunk genre and keeping them easily identifiable within this topic. What I can take from this image is the art style that has been used to give adjust lighting behind the character and the perspective they have presented them in and so utilising the textures in the same style as this art piece would help me in the production of my final product through placing this image along with the other references that I have gathered thus far in this project. Overall this art piece is one that I find appealing mainly due to the design of the eyes as I believe these fit in perfectly with the topic of cybernetic enhancements which is prominent within Cyberpunk as well as the other enhancements that can be seen engraved onto the sides of his head potentially placing him in the cyborg demographic which is another focus area of this genre that I have an interest in producing an art piece in.
This next image features a concept art piece produced by the artist Helen Illnystka which depicts an eye catching and foreboding environment that fits the dystopian genre within the Cyberpunk one and is a concept that I find interesting as although it has used a limited colour palette which makes it hard to distinguish certain elements of the image as cyberpunk there are still little details within the scene such as the character that has an electronic aura emitting from their back whilst wearing a cloak make the art piece stand out as cyberpunk as well as the drone that can be seen placed alongside the individual. What I can take from this image is how the artist has used a limited number of colours to produce an intriguing and eye catching image that can be easily scene to be placed within the cyberpunk genre due to the little details being placed in the focal point of the image directly within the viewers line of sight which if I were to produce an environment art piece for this project I would utilise this feature and create a wide spanning art piece whilst keeping the viewers attention focused upon little details within the dominant image. Another thing I have learnt from this artist is how to utilise a limited colour scheme to produce an engaging and thematic art piece that fits suitably within the Cyberpunk genre.
This next art piece that I have viewed from the same site that I have uploaded the link to has been created for the production Deus Ex: Mankind Divided which is a game created within the cyberpunk genre and revolves heavily around cybernetic enhancements and those who undergo the augmentations and the conflict that forments between them and ordinary inhabitants of the world. What I like about this art piece is the dark dystopian feeling it emits whilst bearing the physicalities of it being a slum within a large mega city that is in conflict with itself due to the advancements of human augmentations. The colour scheme is dull and bleak which makes the scene look more dystopian creates the aura of conflict within an advanced and harsh society. From viewing this image I can use it as a reference to help me create a character or an environmental piece that uses dark and dull colours that produce a bleak atmosphere connoting the hardships of a society within the cyberpunk genre.
Cyberpunk Games
Deus Ex
The Deus Ex titles fit heavily within the Cyberpunk genre through the massive utilisation of cybernetic enhancements as well as augmentations which are pivotal within the plotline of Deus Ex and as common with Cyberpunk settings the most powerful organisations in the world are corporations and secret societies such as multiple branches being based off of the illuminati who are all competing for control of the world. Throughout the game conflict is persistent with the main adversaries you face being those who have received augmentations and commit terrorism around the world due to discrimination and the division of humanity between those who have and havent received the cybernetic enhancements and augmentations. The reason why I have chosen to include the Deus Ex franchise within my research is due to the fact that it remains one of the only Cyberpunk titles that I have actually briefly played myself and so to gain more context on this form of society within the Cyberpunk genre I can revisit the game and gain inspiration from the art style and depiction of the genre for my own artwork that is yet to come for this project. The games present characters and environments in a dark and interesting way that presents the Cyberpunk genre in a more realistic atmosphere that is lacking in wacky characteristics and a punk culture that is scene in the majority of Cyberpunk games and includes a story line that takes itself seriously through presenting realistic scenarios that could potentially unfold in reality. This game is one production that will be heavily influencing the development of my project and will likely be a product that I use references from to help with my production.
The next game that I have chosen to research is the as of yet unreleased Cyberpunk 2077 which is a highly anticipated game being created by the acclaimed game studio CD Projekt Red releasing in 2020. This game as obvious from the title is very prominent within the Cyberpunk genre despite its unreleased status and is set within a futuristic mega city in the free state of California in North America that suffers from constant gang warfare as well as organised crime and those who rule the state oppressing the inhabitants. From the material presented from this title thus far we can see that it fits perfectly within the Cyberpunk genre and utilises all of the wacky features and designs that make it so. The reason why I have included this upcoming title in my research is due to its prominence and proper usage of the Cyberpunk genre as it presents all the features that you would expect along with a vibrant atmosphere that immerses the player in the environment. This source provides me with excellent references that provide great insight into how a character should be presented along with large enveloping cityscapes that could help me in the design of an environmental piece for this project.
Level 3 Games Development Spencer Lee 