Vehicle and Props Design | Projects
Vehicle and Props Design / Entertainment Design
1.0 Instructions
2.0 Exercises - Fundamentals of Vehicle Design
Demonstrate my vehicle and prop design skills through exercises focusing on 3 vehicle types (land, air, or water). Practice fundamentals including:
- Vehicle deconstruction/construction (5 sketches × 3 types = 15 thumbnails)
- Form and function (1 type × 10 thumbnails)
- Perspective (1 type × 5 sketches minimum)
- Line weight (Apply to 1 perspective drawing)
- Color application (Test color variations on 1 design)
- Texturing (Apply materials and texture bashing to 1 design)
Submissions:
Submit all work as PDF (1920 × 1080 pixels per exercise). Include all artwork in your e-portfolio by the end of the exercise period.
2.1 Weekly progression
Week 2In week 2, I did silhouette studies.
I focused on creating diverse vehicle silhouettes to explore different forms and proportions. This exercise helped me understand how shape language communicates vehicle function and personality. The studies ranged from compact utility vehicles to larger transport designs, each with distinct characteristics that would inform my later design decisions.
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| Fig.2.1.1 Exercise, week 2(29/09/2025) |
In week 3, I did thumbnail sketches.
I expanded on my silhouette work by creating detailed thumbnail sketches to explore various design possibilities. These quick iterations allowed me to experiment with different mechanical components, proportions, and functional elements. Through this rapid sketching process, I identified the most promising concepts to develop further in subsequent weeks.
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| Fig.2.1.2 Exercise, week 3(06/10/2025) |
In week 4, I did a shape study and perspectives.
I concentrated on refining the geometric forms of my vehicle designs and exploring how different shapes convey functionality and aesthetics. The perspective studies allowed me to visualize the vehicles from multiple angles, ensuring design consistency and structural believability. This exercise strengthened my understanding of three-dimensional form and spatial relationships.
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| Fig.2.1.3 Exercise, week 4(11/10/2025) |
3.0 Project 1 - Pre Production
Create a vehicle and props design for your proposed world. Your vehicle and props should show functionality reflecting the world. Choose at least one vehicle type (land, air, water), with props as components you'll develop through your Final Project. Showcase your ideation process:
- Moodboard and style guide
- Thumbnail Sketches (20 drawings in 2 sheets)
- Silhouettes (10 pieces in 1 sheet)
- Rough Value painting (5 chosen from silhouettes) - 1 sheet
- Design breakdowns - min 1 sheet
Submission:
PDF collection of all items. Each item: 1920 x 1080 pixels. Keep raw files as proof. Include progressions in your e-portfolio at assignment end.
I compiled a moodboard featuring key visual references from Akira, focusing on the cyberpunk aesthetic, neon-lit urban environments, and the iconic motorcycle designs that define the series. The moodboard established the visual language for my vehicle designs, emphasizing bold geometric forms, mechanical details, and the gritty, high-tech atmosphere of Neo-Tokyo.
I created multiple silhouette variations to explore different vehicle forms inspired by Akira's aesthetic. This step helped me establish the basic shapes and proportions that would define my cyberpunk motorcycle designs.
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| Fig.3.1.2 Process work, week 2(29/09/2025) |
Before I started sketching, I researched the environment of the Akira movie again. I decided to focus on a future version of that world.
I examined how the original Akira setting from 2019 (depicting Neo-Tokyo in 2019) would evolve into an even more advanced technological landscape. This futuristic extension allowed me to push the cyberpunk aesthetic further, imagining how vehicles and urban infrastructure might develop with more sophisticated hover technology, energy systems, and integrated AI components while maintaining the gritty, dystopian atmosphere that defines Akira's world.
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| Fig. 3.1.3 Worldview Setting, week 3(06/10/2025) |
Thumbnail Sketches and Component Design
I developed thumbnail sketches exploring various motorcycle components and mechanical details specific to the Akira-inspired design. These sketches broke down individual elements like the energy propulsion system, handlebar mechanisms, and aerodynamic fairings, ensuring each component felt both functional and visually cohesive within the cyberpunk aesthetic.
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| Fig. 3.1.4 Process work, week 3(06/10/2025) |
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| Fig. 3.1.5 Process work, week 3(06/10/2025) |
I experimented with two distinct approaches: one focusing on sleek, aerodynamic forms with smooth curves reminiscent of high-speed racing vehicles, and another emphasizing bulky, armored designs with exposed mechanical components that showcase the raw, industrial aesthetic of Neo-Tokyo's underground scene. This dual exploration helped me identify which design direction best captured the balance between functionality and the cyberpunk visual language I was pursuing.
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| Fig. 3.1.6 Process work, week 3(06/10/2025) |
After evaluating both design directions, I selected the sleeker, aerodynamic approach as it better embodied the high-speed pursuit aesthetic central to Akira's narrative. I refined the mechanical details, focusing on the integration of the energy propulsion system, handlebar design, and body panels to create a cohesive final design that balanced form and function.
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| Fig. 3.1.7 Process work, week 5(20/10/2025) |
To establish proper scale and proportion for the motorcycle design, I created a character reference sheet showing the vehicle alongside a human figure. This comparative study ensured that the motorcycle's dimensions were realistic and functional, with the rider positioned in an ergonomic riding stance that reflects the aggressive, forward-leaning posture seen in Akira's iconic scenes.
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| Fig. 3.1.8 Process work, week 5(20/10/2025) |
I developed a comprehensive breakdown sheet that details the motorcycle's key components, materials, and functional systems. The sheet includes labeled diagrams showing the energy propulsion unit, chassis structure, suspension mechanisms, and aerodynamic elements, providing a clear technical overview of how each part contributes to the vehicle's performance.
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| Fig. 3.1.9 Process work, week 7(03/11/2025) |
The final render showcases the motorcycle in a dynamic three-quarter view, highlighting the aerodynamic bodywork and glowing energy propulsion system. I created multiple material variations, including metallic panels, carbon fiber accents, and illuminated energy cores to emphasize the high-tech cyberpunk aesthetic.
Continue developing your vehicle design from project 1. Select one vehicle and props concept to extend with design applications that effectively communicate with target audiences. Showcase your development process:
- Thumbnails (Vehicle and Props Breakdowns)
- Value studies
- Color studies
- Textures
Submit as 16:9 1920+ Illustration in PDF format.
I developed detailed interior sketches to visualize the cockpit layout and control systems of the motorcycle. These drawings focused on the rider's interface, including the handlebar-mounted holographic display, ergonomic grip design, and the integration of the vehicle's AI systems.
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| Fig. 4.1.1 Process work, week 8(10/11/2025) |
I created detailed renderings of the motorcycle's interior cockpit design, showing the advanced control interface and seating arrangement. The illustrations demonstrate how the rider's seat adjusts dynamically during acceleration and cornering, using hydraulic actuators.
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| Fig. 4.1.2 Process work, week 10(24/11/2025) |
Create final polished 3D model and concept design of your vehicle from projects 1 & 2. Include a well-organized call sheet with breakdowns of props, interior and engine (if applicable). Provide key art for all 3 vehicle concepts.
- Color studies
- Textures
- Key Art
- Props Breakdown
- Orthographic
Submit as 16:9 1920+ illustration in PDF format. *Retain separate copies of individual rendered images.
I began by modeling the basic chassis and body structure, establishing the overall proportions based on my concept sketches. I used reference images from my design breakdown sheets to ensure accuracy in the aerodynamic forms and mechanical details. The initial blocking phase focused on creating clean topology that would support both the smooth curved surfaces and the hard-edged mechanical components.
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| Fig. 5.1.1 Process work, week 13(15/12/2025) |
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| Fig. 5.1.2 Process work, week 13(15/12/2025) |
After completing the base model, I applied materials and textures to bring the design to life. I experimented with multiple color schemes including metallic reds, blues, and blacks to capture the Akira aesthetic, while adding glowing neon accents for the energy propulsion system.
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| Fig. 5.1.3 Process work, week 13(15/12/2025) |
I implemented a three-point lighting setup in Blender to emphasize the motorcycle's sculptural forms and mechanical details. Key lights highlighted the aerodynamic curves of the body panels, while rim lighting accentuated the edges and created depth separation from the background. I also added practical lighting from the vehicle's own glowing energy systems and headlights to enhance the cyberpunk atmosphere and showcase how the design would appear in Neo-Tokyo's neon-lit streets.
I rendered the motorcycle from multiple camera angles to showcase different aspects of the design. These views included dramatic low-angle shots emphasizing the aggressive stance, side profile views highlighting the aerodynamic silhouette, and three-quarter perspectives that best displayed the vehicle's sculptural forms and mechanical complexity. Each angle was carefully composed to demonstrate how the design would appear in promotional materials and concept presentations.
The shader setup combined metallic surfaces with worn paint effects and illuminated elements to achieve a balance between pristine technology and the gritty, lived-in feel of Neo-Tokyo's streets.
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| Fig. 5.1.6 Process work, week 15(29/12/2025) |
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| Fig. 5.1.7 Process work, week 15(29/12/2025) |
Illustrater
In Illustrater, I created technical orthographic views of the motorcycle design, including front, side, top, and rear elevations. These blueprint-style drawings provided accurate dimensional references and showed how different components aligned across multiple views, essential for understanding the vehicle's construction and proportions. I also added callouts and measurements to key features, making the design documentation suitable for potential 3D modeling or production reference.
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| Fig. 5.1.7 Process work, week 16(05/12/2025) |
6.0 Reflective Writing
Throughout this vehicle design module, I developed comprehensive skills in conceptualizing, designing, and producing a cyberpunk motorcycle inspired by Akira's futuristic aesthetic. The progression from initial thumbnail sketches through detailed 2D concept art to final 3D modeling in Blender demonstrated the importance of maintaining consistent design language while refining technical details at each stage. Working within the Akira universe challenged me to balance creative expression with functional vehicle design principles, particularly in developing the aerodynamic forms and energy propulsion systems that define the high-speed pursuit aesthetic.
One of the most valuable lessons was understanding how design decisions cascade through the production pipeline. Early choices about proportions and mechanical components in my thumbnail phase directly influenced the complexity of later modeling and texturing work. The iterative process of creating breakdown sheets, value studies, and color variations taught me to think systematically about vehicle design as both an artistic and technical discipline.
Moving forward, I aim to expand my skillset in hard surface modeling and explore more complex mechanical systems in future vehicle designs. This project has solidified my interest in entertainment design for film and games, particularly in science fiction settings where I can push the boundaries of imaginative yet believable technology.
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