Environment Design | Final Compilation

Gao Yuan Yi 0373945

GCD61904 Environment Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Exercises - Fundamentals

Project 1 - Exterior and Landscape Design

Project 2 - Interior and Set Design

Final Project - Complete Environment Design Bible

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INSTRUCTION

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Exercises Fundamentals

In this exercises, we are required to task with series of multiple exercises as listed below and are required to complete it within 10 weeks of learning and adapting to the fundamentals of Environment Design.  

In the early part of the semester, I had more time outside of class, so I focused my practice on perspective and layout. I consistently completed one to two perspective or layout exercises each week, some of which also served as preliminary sketches for my project.

Perspective Studies

Fig.2.1.1 Perspective Exercise 1

Fig.2.1.2 Perspective Exercise 2

Fig.2.1.3 Perspective Exercise 3

Fig.2.1.4 Perspective Exercise 4

Fig.2.1.5 Perspective Exercise 5

Composition Studies

Fig.2.1.6 Composition Exercise 1

Fig.2.1.7 Composition Exercise 2

Fig.2.1.8 Composition Exercise 3

Fig.2.1.9 Composition Exercise 4

Fig.2.1.10 Composition Exercise 5

Color management

Fig.2.1.11 Color Managment Exercise

Value & Ambience studies

Fig.2.1.12 Value & Ambience Exercise 1

Fig.2.1.13 Value & Ambience Exercise 2

Fig.2.1.14 Value & Ambience Exercise 3

Fig.2.1.15 Value & Ambience Exercise 4

Fig.2.1.16 Value & Ambience Exercise 5

Fig.2.1.17 Value & Ambience Exercise 6

Detail studies

Fig.2.1.18 Detail Exercise

Props Studies

Fig.2.1.19 Props Exercise

Compilation

Project 1 - Exterior and Landscape Design

In this project, we are required to choose and develop a location e.g. Temple set, Ruins, Village, City etc based on a theme or story that we have proposed from a game/movie/cartoon.

At the beginning of the project, I researched environment design works by various artists online and began developing my own concept. Initially, I decided to design a wooden house, so I browsed many wooden cabin designs on Pinterest for inspiration. 

Fig.2.2.1 References

After combining these references with my own ideas, I eventually chose to create a magical-style tree house. I also developed a background story and characters for this design and included them in the moodboard.

Fig.2.2.2 Moodboard

I created several silhouettes and sketches; however, these drafts were not suitable enough to serve as my final project design. 

Fig.2.2.3 Sketches

With guidance and suggestions from my instructor, I was eventually able to develop a final design form and refine it in greater depth.

Fig.2.2.4 Final design sketch

Fig.2.2.5 Final design sketch with details

After adding detailed elements to the design, my instructor provided suggestions for modifying certain props. Based on this feedback, I completed the final exterior design of the tree house.

Fig.2.2.6 Final exterior design

Fig.2.2.7 Final design breakdown

Compilation

Project 2 - Interior and Set Design

In this project, we are required to continue and develop interior design that best reflects Project 1. We are focus on 1 interior set and showcase the relevance of its existence of its inhabitants.

At the beginning of the project, my tree house design included two rooms: one was a wooden house supported in the tree, and the other was a space inside the tree trunk. I created interior sketches for both rooms. 

Fig.2.3.1 Interior sketches

But eventually decided to focus on designing the space within the tree trunk.

  

Fig.2.3.2 Tree trunk interior sketch

Fig.2.3.3 Tree trunk interior basic design

After establishing the basic interior space, my instructor provided guidance on the details within the space and suggested adding more elements to prevent the design from appearing too minimal. Based on this feedback, I made several updates and refinements to the design.

Fig.2.3.4 Interior design updated

Fig.2.3.5 Final interior design

Fig.2.3.6 Interior design breakdown

Compilation

Final Project - Complete Environment Design Bible

In this project, we are required to polish and complete each 1 of the Exterior and Interior Design with a sufficient breakdown of props/asset concepts: hero asset, set design props, and details. Each artwork will be laid out with a balanced and well-arranged call sheet, which will then be compiled with projects 1 and 2 into a Complete Environment Bible. We are allowed to alter and upgrade each piece of content that has a strong design that effectively showcases its functionality.

In this project, I chose to create a 3D model of the interior design. I began modeling in ZBrush and Blender. 

Fig.2.4.1 Beging 3D sculpture

After building the basic structure of the design, my instructor reminded me to pay attention to spatial proportions to ensure that the interior scale would feel reasonable when a character is placed within the space. 

Fig.2.4.2 3D sculpture updated

Based on this advice, I modified the model and further refined the details.

Fig.2.4.3 Final interior design 3D model (angle 1)

Fig.2.4.4 Final interior design 3D model (angle 2)

Fig.2.4.5 Final interior design 3D model (angle 3)

Fig.2.4.6 Final interior design 3D model (angle 4)

Fig.2.4.7 Final interior design 3D model (angle 5)

Fig.2.4.8 Final interior design 3D model asset breakdown 1

Fig.2.4.9 Final interior design 3D model asset breakdown 2

Compilation

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REFLECTION

Throughout this semester, the Environment Design course has significantly deepened my understanding of spatial design, architectural logic, and the relationship between imagination and practicality. By learning both exterior and interior design principles, I gradually realized that environment design is not only about creating visually appealing spaces, but also about constructing believable, functional, and immersive environments.

One of the most important skills I developed in this course was the understanding and application of perspective and spatial relationships. When designing architectural exteriors and interiors, accurate perspective helps define scale, depth, and realism. In my early sketches, I often focused too much on aesthetic details while overlooking spatial logic. However, through continuous practice and feedback, I learned to consider how spaces connect, how users move within them, and how structures are supported. This shift in thinking helped my designs become more coherent and convincing.

For my final project, I designed a magical tree house, which allowed me to combine fantasy elements with realistic architectural reasoning. While the concept itself was imaginative, I had to carefully consider how the tree house could logically exist within a real environment. This included thinking about structural support, interior layout, lighting, and accessibility. Designing both the exterior and interior forced me to approach the project holistically, rather than treating each part as a separate visual element.

The process of 3D modeling the interior was particularly challenging but rewarding. Translating 2D concepts into a 3D space required precision and patience. Through this process, I gained a clearer understanding of scale, proportion, and spatial flow. It also helped me recognize the gap between conceptual design and actual execution, encouraging me to refine my planning before modeling. Seeing the interior space come to life in 3D strengthened my confidence and made the design feel more tangible and immersive.

Overall, this course has enhanced both my technical skills and design mindset. I learned to balance creativity with functionality, imagination with structure, and emotion with logic. The Environment Design course not only improved my ability to design believable spaces, but also laid a strong foundation for my future studies in entertainment and environmental design. I believe the skills and thinking developed in this course will continue to influence my creative work moving forward.