Beneath the tall trees of the forest, ten students walk in two straight line
Blog
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Children’s Uniform Design
Designing a uniform turns out to be more difficult than I imagined.
Academy stories have always been my comfort trope and I tend to indulge in any tales that revolve around a magical school. So it comes as no surprise that I would like to create a story centered around it.
The current plan was to have two different age categories, one with an older age range and one with a younger age. The whole point was to be able to explore different themes and feelings based on those age groups. (Honestly, it’s just for own indulgence)
For this post, I’ve decided on designing the children’s uniform first as I find that has a clearer direction.
During the process, I had set myself three guidelines to follow:
- Simple and Easy
The uniform needs to be something that is easy to draw. I am not a very good artist and I do not have enough money to be able to hire other wonderful artists. As much as I would love to have beautiful and intricate details like those in Black Butler, I do not have the skills nor time to do it.
- Iconic Piece
Uniform has been one of the many iconic statements for a show. For example, Vampire Knights, Alice Academy, and many more have a specific design that the audience can easily identify which stories it belongs to. Therefore, the uniform has to be distinct for this story.
- Capes
Ok….. This is a personal, selfish choice of mine. I love a good cloak and I just wanted to have the kids wear one. 😀
During this entire process, I kept thinking about the TV show ‘Madeline’.
I had this idea of the children living in a dorm or an orphanage. The kids are either there because they are orphans or that their parents did not have time and the money for their child.
Back to the topic at hand, colours had been quite a tricky aspect to play around with. There are many shows in which the uniforms are either black or dark in colour. This was done on purpose to allow the different hair colours that the characters had. However I had fallen in love with the colour red on these capes and decided to just stick with it.
I had done a quick experimentation with drawing different hair colours and it still works fine. Orange is something that I would have to avoid. 😛
Other than that, pinterest has been my source of reference as I tried out different designs.
Since the school is more like a daycare centre, I had to make sure that the uniform does not look too formal. It is important that the children’s design still kept that free natured aspect to it.
In the end, this is the design that I have settled with. I am delighted with the outcome so far although it did take longer than I imagined. (Again, not a fashion designer, but I did the best I can)
I hope that you enjoyed it!
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Visualing New Realms
Realm 1
Realm 1 is a land of vibrant greenery, filled by ancient forest, valleys and vast open fields.
At the heart of a forest, lies a castle on top of the waterfall.
Built from white limestone, the structure stood out prominently against the green landscape.
The castle belongs to neither a King nor a Queen, instead it serves as an academy that is dedicated to help students harness their magic. The region is known for its abundance of auraelis, a natural energy that makes it the ideal environment for learning.
A short walk from the academy lies a village filled with shops and restaurants. It is the perfect getaway for students who needed a break from their studies or a quick place to restock supplies.
To the south of the village, there is a field full of flowers. Perfect for a picnic gathering. It has also earned the reputation to be the perfect dating spot for students.
Realm 2
Upon arriving in this realm, mist and thick fog cover the early morning of the land. The air carries a slight chill but not enough to warrant winter jackets.
As you sit upon a floating vehicle shaped like a paper scroll, the scent of fragrant tea drifts through the air.
When the mist slowly disperse, you are met with sight of a bustling water market. Villagers sell their daily harvest, some haggling over the price as boats drifts past one another.
Beyond the market, tea plantations and rice fields stretch along the riverbanks, accompanied by rows of wooden buildings that seem to follow the flow of the water.
As you travel further along, a red wooden building comes into view, spanning nearly 6 levels. Students walk leisurely inside, scrolls tucked under their arms. Some choose to sit by the lotus pond, chatting excitedly with their friends.
Not too long after, the sound of gong echoes through the air. Suddenly the entire area is bathed in warm, golden light, as if the realm itself is welcoming the day.
Realm 3
There is a city bathed in purple lights. Winding roads weaved through the skyline, lined with high speed vehicles.
Tall glass buildings rise side by side, each seeming to compete for the title of the tallest tower. People move quickly through the streets, as if they are running out of time.
Despite being a city full of activities, the roads are surprisingly quiet. No sounds comes from the passing vehicles, and the pedestrians have to be extra careful as they cross.
At least, the glowing fishes that roam the city remain out of harm’s way.
Due to the unique properties of the auraelis in this area, there were fewer magic users. Instead, people develop magic tools to help harness what little magic is available.
In this realm, creativity and technology are highly valued. Some of these tools are even exported to other realms.
Realm 4
The sight of snowy white mountains greets you. The cold seeps through your skin, clearly a day to crave for a warm cup of hot chocolate.
The town is bathed in a festival mood. Streets are adorned with red ribbons and golden bells. Many people carry paper bags as they step out of the shop. Some wear smiles on their faces, while others seem to scowl at the display glass they leave behind.
Far beyond towards the town, towers made of ice rise amid the mountain range. You wonder whether their interior is any warmer than the world outside.
People dressed in navy uniform with a grey hat gather nearby, clustered around a large notice board.
Upon closer inspection, there seems to be some sort of ranking. Has a competition just been held?
Some rejoice at the sight of their results, while others quietly withered away. You notice pouches of coins being passed from one person to another.
Perhaps someone has won a bet.
Realm 5
Deeply hidden within a cave, there is a city bathed in gold. It hangs from the cavern’s ceiling like a massive chandelier.
It sounds dangerous to be living in such a place, doesn’t it?
And yet, this city is as safe as it can be. Above the cave roam predatory wolves, while below dangerous aquatic creatures swim through the dark waters.
From afar, the surrounding caves are eerily quiet. But as you take the cable car towards the city, the sound of bustling life grow louder with every passing moment.
Entertainments, Gambling centers and theme parks fill the city. People of all ages come here in search of excitement and escape.
But beware… Do not cross into forbidden areas.. as you never know what might await you.
Realm 6
This realm was inspired by the movie nightmare before christmas and an image from my dream.
Welcome to a realm where residents have never seen the sun. The town is perpetually shrouded in the night. You can never tell what lies in front you.
The main light source comes from the moon, which slowly rotates across the sky. At times, the town is completely drenched in darkness. When the moon resurfaces, thats when the residents are at their most active.
Unlike the familiar cycle of day and night, the moon here does not complete its rotation within 24 hours. Instead, it takes months to disappear and reappear again.
During the long stretches of darkness, residents rely on bioluminescent trees.Their leaves glow softly, each shaped like a small bulb of light.
The leaves are gathered, crushed and mixed into the mortar used to pave the streets, forming illuminated pathways throughout the town.
This way no one would ever get lost in the dark.
Realm 7
For this realm, the idea is a little strange, so stay with me for this one.
What if there is a place where the only way forward is downwards. It has nothing to do with gravity. Its simply that you physically cannot move upwards.
This realm is built between the two layers of cloud, forming something like a sandwich, with the residence living in the space between them.
The town consist of tiny capsules structure connect by bridges. A center column runs through each capsule from top to bottom, acting as a lift that only travels downwards.
Now what happens if you fall off the building?
Fear not, you are magically transported back up… only fall again.
Because of this, residents have taken sky diving as a mode of transport. It is the fastest way to return to the upper levels.
However there are certain capsules that contain a rotating mechanism that allow for the occasional switch between levels, granting access upwards. These are usually found in malls or high official buildings.
Such mechanisms are produced in limited quantities, as they are costly to create.
Author’s Note:
The third video is out! This time, I decided to present the realms I sketched last year. It’s not supposed to be a fully detailed documentation of my fantasy world. It was merely an exploration of what the world could possibly contain (essentially brain dump).
I did not anticipate drawing so many scenes for this video. Initially, I planned to provide speed paints of only the realms. However, as I began editing, I realised that it looked too monotonous, so I decided to add more scenes.
I feel quite proud of myself for drawing the red buildings in Realm 2 by hand. Although I have an architecture degree, I’m reluctant to admit that I haven’t properly drawn 3D buildings by hand before. Even at work, the process is mainly modelling a space and finding the right angle.
I don’t think this drawing quite grasped the imagery I had in my mind. Maybe in the future, when I have a bit more time, I will do a quick 3D model of it.
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The Journal of Professor Hobbeskin: #372 Myra
Professor Hobbeskin came to Twillow vale chasing a rumour. The locals speak of a ‘spirit’ they call the ‘Myra.’ They say that if you are lucky enough to be visited by one, good fortune will follow you.
Now Professor Hobbeskin did not care about the stories of the locals. However it was the information that a new specimen has been spotted around the valleys.
So, he gathered his things and hiked up the trail. He found a hidden spot to set up his equipment and began waiting….
He waited… and waited until the sun dipped below the horizon.
Yet, there was nothing. No Myra. No good luck. Just the quietness of the valley.
Utterly defeated, he was about to pack it in and that’s when he caught sight of a fleeting light from the corner of his eyes.
Moving as quietly as he could, he crept towards the source of that light. And there it was… a Myra.
It was far smaller than the rumours suggested. And every movement it made left a faint trail of shimmering dust, like a wandering falling star.
It floated above the flower field with what he can only describe as pure joy.
As it hovered near a bluebell, the petals themselves began to shimmer, glowing in a silent, sympathetic response.
A truly fascinating sight. He dared not even breathe, for fear of breaking the spell.
But then… wait. Is that… a hand?
The Myra was seen reaching for the flower. It’s trying to pluck it.
For such a tiny creature, it seems to possess great strength. After a few gentle tugs, the flower was free.
The Myra seems delighted with its reward/prize. It dances across the field with a whirl of light and joy. Just then… a symbol glowing with ethereal light, began to appear in the air. And just like that, it vanished.
The professor stood, scanning the darkness. The faint lights were gone. The Myra had departed. But his heart was full and overjoyed to have witnessed such a rare and beautiful moment…
Back at the inn, he placed a single bluebell on his windowsill. A souvenir from a magical evening. And perhaps… just perhaps, a little of that rumoured good luck will find its way to him”
Author’s Note:
The second video is now out on Youtube! I thank everyone who decided to take the time to watch the video or to even read this post.
Video editing is not an easy thing to do. I am glad that I am able to finish it and get my ideas across.In this video, I decided to reflect on the Myra’s post which I did earlier. It’s a simple story that I decided to go for to help begin my storytelling journey.
I hope the video will bring joy to others.
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Worldbuilding: The Beginning & The First Dreaming
Author’s Notes:
I’ve finally completed the video! I wanted to do a story style prologue video to introduce world. It did take a while as I was not that skilful in drawing and video editing. So it was a good practise to start it of with.
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Myra
Excerpt from The Observation Journal of Prof. Hobbeskin
Clearer Image: https://plimidora.com/myra-oberservation-log/
Creator’s Notes
I am super excited to introduce this tiny being to everyone! When I first started on this fantasy world venture, this character was one of the first things that I drew.
When drawing the Myra, I took inspiration from the Teru Teru Bozu (Japanese Weather Doll) and the game, Monument Valley. I knew I wanted a tiny companion which is cute and small. So, I began drawing a few sketches of what it could possibly look like.
As you can probably tell, I wanted to include star element into the design because the Myra, at this point at least, is a being from elsewhere. Another dimension? realm? I’m not too sure for now. But I kind of wanted them to probably have magic that relates to the stars, and so I try to incorporate that into the appearance.
I had also contemplated about adding animal ear characteristics to the Myra because I was thinking perhaps its like a spirit guide. And it turns out super cute! I think I will introduce that variation in the future!
Another problem that cam to my mind was figuring out whether if the Myra had any limbs underneath the cape and if it did how do I show it. The majority of my friends have voted that it can just magically appear since the Myra is a creature from another dimension and has carried a lot of unknown power.
So there you go! I hope that you guys find the Myra cute as I do. I can’t wait to show you the other design of it that I had.
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First Dreaming
The First Dreaming is an important event that marks the emergence of a person’s own individual magic.
The make up of a person’s magic varies according to each individual. It reflects on the person’s life experience or personality.
When a person is having their First Dream, it is said that the experience is very vivid and the choices made could determine the outcome.
It is said that people would often feel a shift in their energy when they wake up from their First Dream.
Creator’s Notes
The idea of a dream came from my friend’s offhand comment. At that I think her idea of ‘dream’ leans towards aspiration instead of the actual subconscious dreams.
However, me and my delulu mind was already quite invested into thinking that I can make this into a game in the future. So yes, I know… I was more inspired to create a world for an RPG game instead of a book. But as I mentioned before, this whole fantasy world was inspired by a Harry Potter exhibition that I attended.
Funnily enough, I’m not a Harry Potter fan. It was honestly because of Hogwart’s Legacy that pulled me back into the gaming world. I was honestly so blown away with the details and experience added to the Hogwart’s Castle. The whole architecture and the settings of the games was just so beautiful and I wanted to create something like that!
So with my love for RPG, when my friend mention ‘dream’, my mind instantly went to another game which had a dream opening sequence, i.e. Kingdom Hearts.
Due to the beautiful visuals of the Kingdom Hearts game, I decided that maybe I want to start my game the same way! And maybe we can integrate it a bit more.
And that ladies and gentleman is how this was born. I have gone through many revisions for this and it may change again. But for now, this is what it is!
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Auraelis
No one knows where it came from.
Some believe it was a celestial event long forgotten and has somehow integrated into our atmosphere.
Some say it was always within our innate nature while others say it was a blessing from the gods.
But there’s one thing that everyone agrees on: without Auraelis, there would be no magic.
Creator’s Notes
Initially the magic system was based on the idea of dreams (which will be presented in the next post). However, I realised that I needed to have something that help give birth to the dream magic and hence the idea of having something in the air that gave it magic and all the other properties was added.
I have not fully comprehend what Auraelis can do yet, but I was hoping that it could tie into ancient place, rituals, curses, bending laws, etc….
I was also thinking to add another compound called the Xastrea, which can be found in another realm/ place, However, I am uncertain about this yet as this is a newer addition.
For now, Auraelis can be the MP to a user for them to use magic. People would need to go through a ‘ritual’ for them to gain their magic. More will be explored in the next post.
