Project 3

The Capstone Project

 

Project Overview

Project Brief:

This is it—the final act of our ZBrush journey together. In this capstone project, you have complete creative control. Whether it’s an intricate creature sculpt, an expressive character bust, a stylized prop, or a cinematic environment—this project is 100% your call.

Use this as an opportunity to showcase everything you've learned so far—dynamesh workflows, hard surface sculpting, polypainting, Redshift rendering, and turntable presentation. Pull in inspiration from anywhere—film, games, mythology, personal story, or a mash-up of your favorite IPs. You are the director, sculptor, and storyteller.

Your goal is to create a portfolio-worthy showpiece that demonstrates technical proficiency, creative originality, and professional presentation.

This project is designed to reflect what it’s like to work independently in a studio pipeline or for your own freelance work. Think of it as your digital thesis.

  • 5/7/2025

  • Your final submission must include the following deliverables:

    Creative Concept:

    • Original sculpt of anything you choose (character, creature, prop, scene, vehicle, etc.)

    • Strong silhouette and design intention

    • Clear artistic direction (mood, story, or purpose)

    • Can be stylized, realistic, or hybrid

    Process & Modeling:

    • Must incorporate at least two different ZBrush workflows (Ex: Organic sculpting + Hard surface OR Polypainting + Cloth Simulation)

    • Demonstrate anatomical awareness or mechanical logic where applicable

    • Strong craftsmanship in surface detail and polish

    Rendering & Presentation:

    • Final Render (High-quality Hero Shot)

    • Turntable Movie

    • Orthographics Slide (Front/Side/Back for design clarity)

    • Sketches & Design Slide (Initial thumbnails or visual development)

    • Brushes Slide (Highlight the tools used in your pipeline)

    • References Slide (Gathered imagery or mood boards)

    • Hero Shot – Redshift3D Render: 25 pts

    • Turntable Movie: 15 pts

    • Orthographics Slide: 15 pts

    • Dev Sketches Slide: 10 pts

    • Brushes Slide: 10 pts

    • References Slide: 10 pts

    • Polypainting: 15 pts

    • Craftsmanship: 25 pts

    • Advanced Materials (SSS skin, glass shaders, or emissives materials): +10 pts

    • Scene Environment or Base (Custom base or background supporting the subject): +10 pts

    • Physical Lighting or FX Geometry (LEDs, magic effects, etc.): +10 pts

    • Stickers/Labels/Decals (If applicable to your design): +3 pts per element

Total Points: ???+

This is your time to flex everything you’ve mastered and push yourself as far as you can within the time allowed. Treat this project as a showreel centerpiece—something you'd be proud to present to a studio, mentor, or fellow artist. Lean into your strengths, challenge your weaknesses, and most importantly—have fun with it. You’ve earned this.

Let’s see what you’re made of. 🔥