Week 4: Problem Solving

Theoretical

• As previously, when doing my research I was not able to find enough information about the creators of the topic I was Harvard Referencing (windflowers and their meanings). I attempted to look for further information from sources that had credibility through author names or dates published, but to no avail. In order to have enough information to talk about it with reference, I chose a flower-dedicated page to harvest my information from, which increases credibility due to the overall nature of the site.

Practical

• For practical problems, creating a concept of my fantasy level was hard with several straight lines and no actual tool to draw them. To solve the issue, I took a mental note of how I had fixed the problem before and duplicated my straight line several times until I had a full layout. I then erased any overlapping lines to create a singular shape (being the enemy path), which made colouring and designing the rest of the level a breeze.

Week 4: Evaluation

This week, I managed to fulfil every task I had on my list. My time management was a lot better, but due to the simplicity of my tasks, it was to be expected. I have had enough time to think about next week, and will be creating the models for my three towers that I had previously conceptualised, meaning that I have handled my timing enough to be able to clear my mind and focus on my next tasks. However, I am not satisfied with the amount of research I did, and will next time try to find more information about the topic I had covered (windflowers).

Week 4: Practical Skills

This week, I finished my Fantasy level design concept.

Using Procreate, I went with clear colours and a colour key in order to make the significance of each object clear to whoever was modelling the design. I chose a range of straight lines (ease of modelling), bridges (for the option to destroy), and water (option to push enemies into) to create a good atmosphere and decently enjoyable level to clear.

Although not obviously linking to the fantasy theme, I made the end of the enemy path swirl, relating to magic, and once the enemies are to pass through the assigned teleport area, they vanish. I thought that although simple, this was a good way to communicate my theme. However, due to the simplicity of the concept, I had opened a window of opportunity to the modeller to modify and adjust anything that they didn’t like.

Week 4: Planning and Production

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For this week, I will have to get the three tasks I have assigned to me done. I will need to finish my task that I set myself previously in order to complete my level design.

Week 4: Research

This week, I decided to do research on different types of flowers and their symbolic meanings. The idea behind this was to have asset ideas for the level design.

Jacob’s Ladder-

A common name. Used for many things, like a specific type of flower, a movie title and book title. Inspired by the Bible (used in Genesis 28:10-12, “Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. He had a dream in which he saw a stairway/ladder resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.”)

Highly symbolic for Christians (Jacob’s dream) due to the meditator Jesus Christ being referenced as the one who was brought to Earth to become the stairway between the land and God.

(Reference: GotQuestions.org. (2021). What is Jacob’s Ladder? [online] Available at: https://www.gotquestions.org/Jacobs-ladder.html [Accessed 27 Sep. 2021].)

The flower itself is named Jacob’s Ladder due to the shape of the leaves, as the plant forms a group of tightly packed leaflets, which rise along the stem of the flower like a ladder (therefore taking the name of Jacob’s Ladder).

There are two different types of Jacob’s Ladders.

• Polemonium reptans – discouraged to grow and a threatened species
• Polemonium caeruleum – developed specifically for growing in places like gardens

(Reference: Gardening Channel. (2018). How to Grow Jacob’s Ladder Flowers (Polemonium caeruleum). [online] Available at: https://www.gardeningchannel.com/jacobs-ladder-flowers-polemonium-caeruleum/#:~:text=The%20Native%20American%20name%20for%20Jacob%E2%80%99s%20ladder%20translates [Accessed 27 Sep. 2021].)

The meaning of the flower is shared with the Biblical story- “The ladder symbolizes the lessons learned in life, which, if properly used, brings us higher and higher in knowledge; however, if lessons are forgotten the danger of falling is continuously present.”

(Reference: Meij, H. (2014). What is the Symbolism of Stairs (Jacob’s Ladder)? [online] http://www.themasonictrowel.com. Available at: http://www.themasonictrowel.com/Articles/Symbolism/comprehensive_files/short_symbolism/symbolism_of_jacob_ladder.htm [Accessed 27 Sep. 2021].)

Simplified in my own words, the Ladder represents constant growth in character and wisdom.

This flower would go well with our level design due to the symbolism of wisdom, as a tower defence requires knowledge and some strategy. Although it is a real flower and not fantastical, the reference to the Bible, which is a holy text followed in religion, is an unconfirmed-to-be-true text, and as a result of that, it fits in with the Fantasy theme.

Windflower-

Scientifically known as the Anemone, the Windflower is a wide species that is native to Europe, North America and Japan. The stem can bear several flowers at a time, with three leaflets on each that can vary in colour.

The flower’s name originates from the Greek word ‘Anemone’, which means ‘daughter of the wind’, and it symbolises protection and anticipation.

(Reference: A to Z Flowers. (n.d.). Anemone (Windflower). [online] Available at: https://www.atozflowers.com/flower/anemone/ [Accessed 27 Sep. 2021].)

I chose this flower as another contender for potential assets in our design because the symbol of protection and anticipation works well with the tower defence, becoming a mini-good-luck-charm almost. I also think it would work well with the Fantasy theme as it can bear many colours, therefore meaning that in order to slot it in with the magical theme, it could change colours.

With the research I have done on these flowers, I have an accurate idea on how to go about adding more subtle spiritual signs for the action-packed level we are creating.

Week 4: Context

For this week, my first task is to design my Fantasy/Fairytale world level design. To start off the week, I created a mindmap of different types of assets that would appear in the world design.

I chose specific flowers like windflowers and Jacob’s Ladders because I have done research on their meanings that will ultimately link in with the theme of the level. (See Week 4: Research)