Hauntibles

A vintage oscilloscope discovered at a huge white elephant sale. The controls remind me of a 1950's scifi spaceship. A few years ago, there was a shift in digital design away from 3D real-world textures to a more flat look. I think this simple aesthetic works for most user interfaces, as it doesn't distract from the content. But for HAUNTIBLES, I wanted to embrace what's known as Skeuomorphism.  Skeuomorphism skjuːə(ʊ)ˈmɔːfɪz(ə)m  A design concept that attempts to imitate the look of real-world objects (like this instagram logo.) Instead of a clean flat design, I aimed for a more gritty, cracked, faded and worn-out look. This aesthetic meshed a lot better with the old photographs that are at the heart of HAUNTIBLES. So, much like a sound designer who ventures into the field to collect sound effects, I needed to hunt for textures.  You never know what you'll see at an antique fair. This box of prosthetic peepers "caught my eye". ...

Early animation test of one the specters in HAUNTIBLES. Ghost have been depicted countless ways in movies, TV, and games. They run the gambit from fully formed Ghostbusters ghouls to the more ethereal forms of Paranormal Activity. HAUNTIBLES contains a number of spirits, some helpful - others malevolent. The question is, what form should they take? While I'm still ironing out the look, I'm drawn to the use of flowing cloth. The floating garments really sell the idea that these beings exist in another realm, with different rules governing the physics. I also like Victorian-era outfits, especially the creepy "mourning gowns" customarily worn at the time. 1861 photo showing the five daughters of Prince Albert mourning his death. After his passing, Queen Victoria wore mourning clothing for the rest of her life. Ghosts are such a staple of our storytelling, and have been featured so many times, that it's difficult to come up with an original look an...