Initial Concept Overview – Backstory
Write an initial concept overview / backstory.
Example description of Coyote Tango from Pacific Rim:
Coyote Tango is designed to resemble naval warships and Cobra attack helicopters in both color scheme and appearance. Coyote Tango's light armor allows it to perform various deadly maneuvers and has great speed to evade Kaiju attacks. It is also armed with twin long-range ballistic mortar cannons to damage Kaiju from afar; these were supplemented by a forearm-mounted, retractable V-PI EnergyCaster with five modes of modulation - this weapon in particular being considered highly experimental at the time of the Jaeger's launch. Coyote Tango is also tied with Cherno Alpha for the tallest height on a Mark-1 Jaeger.
As a Mark-1 Jaeger, Coyote Tango runs on the power of a nuclear reactor. Given the short amount of time the Pan Pacific Defense Corps had to build the first series of Jaegers in response to the Kaiju threat, none of the Mark-1 series Jaegers were reinforced with protective measures to prevent radiation poisoning. Consequently, the Rangers piloting Mark-1's were at an increased risk of contracting cancer-related illnesses from exposure. Both Tamsin Sevier and Stacker Pentecost developed cancer as a result of the Jaeger's poor radiation shielding and were retired from active duty.
INSPIRATION BOARD
You need to get inspired! This is one of my favorite stages. Basically you explore what is out there and possible directions you can go. Collect /research reference images, current designs, inspirational, blueprints etc. Basically find as many as you need, which is at least 20+ sources. I call this phase, the “Inspiration Board”. I have found that the best way to do this is to create a Padlet with all your resources. This is not only a dynamic collection of resources, but it also retains the source information for later documentation.

THUMBNAIL SKETCHING
Thumbnail sketches are a simple and quick way to get thinking, start planning your shot and help solve problems early on. Sketching can really help you to be inspired and get creative. Even if you don't draw well, crude thumbnail sketches can help you plan your poses and timing. The extra time spent on planning your work will be worth it in the long run. You wouldn't build a house without architect's plans, would you?
Watch this video on thumbnail sketching with Von Glitschka:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV4Pn-wr4oE & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc6jsfdrf4M Create a few pages (at least 2+ depending on the size of your thumbnails) of well developed thumbnail sketches to help workout your design. Here are some thumbnail examples, some are more elaborate than others. Don’t be intimidated by the examples, these are just supposed to be light sketches. Play with design implementing the 'Elements of Art', line, shape, form, space, color, and texture. Each sketch should be quick and no longer than a minute or two. You are just visually exploring directions . . . Also annotate your sketches.
Optional videos on thumbnail sketching:
Choose three of your best or favorite thumbnails and further explore these designs. Basically, these sketches are more detailed version of your best thumbnail designs with thoughtful annotations. Create 3-5 fully development sketches. You may have multiple pages . . . Here are some thumbnail examples, some are more elaborate than others. Don’t be intimidated by these examples, these are from professionals or post-secondary students.
The creation of Wall-E was highly complicated as they had to design him to be mechanical and have the mechanisms of a robot while still maintaining a level of humanity.
FINAL DRAFT SKETCH
Choose one of your best or favorite development sketches and take it to the next level. Refine and further develop the details of your design. Fully annotate your designs.
Here is an examples of final concept design draft.
FINAL CONCEPT DESIGN OVERVIEW / BACKSTORY
Write a complete concept overview.
Example description of Coyote Tango from Pacific Rim:
Coyote Tango is designed to resemble naval warships and Cobra attack helicopters in both color scheme and appearance. Coyote Tango's light armor allows it to perform various deadly maneuvers and has great speed to evade Kaiju attacks. It is also armed with twin long-range ballistic mortar cannons to damage Kaiju from afar; these were supplemented by a forearm-mounted, retractable V-PI EnergyCaster with five modes of modulation - this weapon in particular being considered highly experimental at the time of the Jaeger's launch. Coyote Tango is also tied with Cherno Alpha for the tallest height on a Mark-1 Jaeger.
As a Mark-1 Jaeger, Coyote Tango runs on the power of a nuclear reactor. Given the short amount of time the Pan Pacific Defense Corps had to build the first series of Jaegers in response to the Kaiju threat, none of the Mark-1 series Jaegers were reinforced with protective measures to prevent radiation poisoning. Consequently, the Rangers piloting Mark-1's were at an increased risk of contracting cancer-related illnesses from exposure. Both Tamsin Sevier and Stacker Pentecost developed cancer as a result of the Jaeger's poor radiation shielding and were retired from active duty.
FINAL CONCEPT DESIGN in T-POSE