Design Portfolio

Conceptual Design Idea

March 11, 2024

Stone Henge Research

Stone henge is a pre-historic stone monument built between 3000 and 1520 BCE (Mike Parker Pearson, 2018). It features numerous rings of upright stones stacked on top of one another showcasing the ingenious engineering from the neolithic migrants. Modern simulations have suggested the stones were hauled upright into their positions using ropes and machinery however that hasn’t stopped people from conspiring on different theories as to how the landmark had came to be. One of these being that supernatural beings such as giants or aliens had used their powers in order to construct stone henge. Due to the publics speculation of its creation I thought this concept would lend itself well to the storyline of my animation and as the brief is to create an aesthetic fly by of the stone henge made out of cheese I thought I could incorporate mice into it as they are commonly associated with cheese and could also be used as a fake theory on to how it was built.

Image of Stone Henge.

As the shapes of the stones are quite generic it will be quite easy to create cheese blocks that resemble how they’re organised. It is also a concept that has been done multiple times before so I’d need to think of a concept that’s unique and would work visually as well as conceptually.

Below I’ve included previously made 3D renderings of Stone Henge as if it was made out of cheese so that I can conceptualise how the cheese blocks will fit together in order to form stone-like objects. As my animation will lean in heavily to the a cartoonish style I will exaggerate the holes and general shape of the cheese to make it look more similar to what the idea of a classic slice of swiss cheese would look like.

3D rendering of Stone Henge made of cheese – 1
3D rendering of Stone Henge made of cheese – 2

For this animation I want to draw inspiration from the traditional animation style seen in the Warner Brothers cartoon shows such as Tom and Jerry and Looney Tunes. I will do this by designing it in a classic kitchen setting which can be seen often in these type of shows, however it will be twisted into a modern environment with the animation being done in 3D. I will also include comedic/slapstick humour within it that are similar to the warner brothers style as the whole premise of my animation will revolve around some mice building stone henge without realising they’re doing it on top of a mouse trap. The animation will also have exaggerated scenarios that wouldn’t be possible in real life to further the comedic aspect.

Inspiration image of a style I wish to replicate.
Inspiration image.

Conceptual transition planning

My first aspect to the conceptual transition I have planned in the animation will occur throughout the whole 30 seconds of the brief as the cheese is slowly being built together to form the shape of Stone Henge. However if I left the animation there with the mice having finished the cheese build something would feel incomplete as there is no dramatic resolution/irresolution. So to add more layers to the concept the board that the mice will build stone henge upon will appear to be a regular cheese board until the end when one of the mice trigger a mouse trap mechanism and the spring will come crashing down on them.

References:

  • Zachry, M. and Thralls, C., 2004. An Interview with Edward R. Tufte. Technical Communication Quarterly. [Online], 13(4), pp. 447–462. Available at: http://www.edwardtufte.com/tufte/s15427625tcq1304_5.pdf [Accessed 26/04/24].
  • Structural Engineers Reports. (2019). Stonehenge – A Fine Example of Monolithic Neolithic Engineering | latest news | Structural Engineers Reports. [Online] Available at: https://structuralengineersreports.co.uk/stonehenge-a-fine-example-of-monolithic-neolithic-engineering/ [Accessed 22/04/24].
  • Dinning, R. (2014). 10 facts about Stonehenge. [Image] History Extra. Available at: https://www.historyextra.com/period/stone-age/10-facts-about-stonehenge/. [Accessed 25/04/24]
  • HistoryExtra. (n.d.). Your guide to Stonehenge, plus 12 fascinating facts you might not know. [Image] Available at: https://www.historyextra.com/period/stone-age/10-facts-about-stonehenge [Accessed 25/04/24].
  • Wisser, N. (2012). We Order You to Like This Cheesehenge! (Not Facebook Like–REAL Like!). [Image] CLONEHENGE. Available at: https://clonehenge.com/2012/05/07/we-order-you-to-like-this-cheesehenge-not-facebook-like-real-like/ [Accessed 25/04/24].
  • Wisser, N. (2008). Cheesehenge. [Image] CLONEHENGE. Available at: https://clonehenge.com/2008/12/05/cheesehenge/ [Accessed 26/04/24].
  • Anon, (n.d.). Tom & Jerry Tales: Volume 1 – Animated Views. [Image] Available at: https://animatedviews.com/2007/tom-and-jerry-tales-one [Accessed 26/04/24].
  • Pinterest. (n.d.). Mouse Warming 1952!;) | Looney tunes cartoons, Looney tunes, Looney. [online] Available at: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/375206212681923013 [Accessed 27/04/24].