4.1 Research Methods

Primary Research

Definition: This type of research is where you, or someone you hire, goes directly to the source to get the information about that, creating your own research. This can be done by questionnaires, observations, task groups and many others. For example, it would be  me going to Antarctica to look at the ice and the rate that it is melting.

Primary Research Sources

• Observations
• Surveys
• Sketches
• Photographs
• Focus Groups

Secondary Research

Definition: This type of research is a method in which someone uses research that someone has already done as a source of information for your own research. An example of this is me using an article from a scientist about the solar system. I am using that scientists information and not my own.

Secondary Research Sources

• vocal communication
• books
• internet
• films
• gallery’s

Tertiary Research

Definition: These types of research that digest or take parts of multiple sources and represent all of this information as a new source. The sources you get the information from can also be tertiary sources because they either list, summarise or simplify the information so that there is more information to read about, however in less detail. Lastly, the research will not have any credit for a particular author because it uses multiple sources to create it.

Secondary online sources i can use

www.Sketchfab.com is a online community website that allows people to explore other peoples work and buy peoples work if you wish to. Sketchfab is for modelling in particular, having models for anything you can imagine, from fictional things to realistic pieces, for example car models etc. In addition, the levels of

This website allow me to look at other peoples work in detail, looking at each layer and showing all the textures used etc. This not only gives me ideas but it also shows me how i would go about creating similar models.

www.youtube.com is a huge entertainment media source, having millions of videos of absolutely anything you can imagine on there. The videos are created by users of the platform, so anything i do use straight from them is a secondary source.

Because of the large range of sources on the platform Youtube is a great way of getting many ideas but more importantly using it as way of problem solving with issues i will encounter whilst creating models or programming. This makes things a lot easier for myself as i have sources to look at to help me instead of just getting stuck and not being able to complete my work. An example of this is if i have issues unwrapping an object  in Maya, i can then search on Youtube for any videos on the subject.

www.artstation.com is similar to Sketchfab however instead of being able to see each component of the 3D model you only see snapshots or photos of the artists work. In addition, Artstation has more than 3D models but many different types of art on its platform, allowing Artists to upload all their work for people to see.

 

Artstation will give me great references to work from and give me many ideas to create a great piece. Artstation has loads of great work which really shows creativity from many different people, allowing artists to show others how they see the world and how they think. It does not take long to find great pieces either, a great example i found after two minutes of searching:

Lastly, not everyone is an expert artist and i am not either. However, if you have the time an =d some money to spare you can have a look at the masterclasses that Artstation offer. Them being done by professional artists who have worked in the games or movie industry. They certainly know a lot have a lot to share, obviously at a price though. But these classes could help improve your skills and techniques when creating artwork.