PAWPALS: A HEALING PROJECT
FOR CHILDREN
The Pawpals project is an innovative venture blending technology with therapy, designed to provide comfort and companionship to those in need. This initiative revolves around creating a series of charming, animated pet characters, each uniquely crafted to serve as a digital companion. At the heart of Pawpals lies the goal of fostering emotional support and connection. The project involved meticulous 3D modeling and animation to bring each character to life, ensuring they exude warmth and personality. Special attention was given to their design, making them relatable and endearing, suitable for audiences seeking comfort and a sense of companionship.
In addition to the creative aspect, the project also incorporated user experience considerations, making sure the interactions with these virtual pets were intuitive and soothing. The Pawpals characters were not just digital creations but emotional anchors, designed to resonate with users on a personal level.
This project showcased a blend of artistic skills in 3D modeling and animation, along with an understanding of therapeutic needs, highlighting the potential of digital solutions in providing emotional support.
My role encompasses 3D character design, 3D assets, Texturing, Animation, and character design research. My responsibilities span from initial design sketches to animating the characters, ensuring that every visual element serves the project's goals of pain management and distraction.
Responsibilities
Research & Conceptualization
Research about Color Schemes, Character Forms,, and Thematic Elements & Accessories.
Character Design
● Apply research findings to create pet-like characters with carefully chosen color
schemes that are scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety.
● Dress characters in medical-themed attire to normalize and foster positive
associations with healthcare settings.
● Collaborate with the team to ensure the characters align with the project's goals and
emotional tone.
● Develop initial sketches and finalize character designs in Procreate for clean and
high-quality images.
3D Modeling
● Utilize 3d software such as Blender for modeling characters.
● Create additional assets that might be used in minigames like clothing, bandages,
and cupcakes,...
Texturing
● Add detailed textures to the 3D models using Blender Shader mode and Texture
Painting mode.
● Create Texture both in Blender and Photoshop.
● Ensure textures are visually appealing and medically accurate where necessary
(e.g., bandages).
● Cartoon-Like Shading with Outlines Style: opted for a cartoon-like shading technique
with outlines for character textures. This choice is designed to capture children's
attention and make the experience more relatable and engaging.
● Team Logo for Brand Recognition: To strengthen brand identity and foster a sense of
unity, the characters will feature the Pawpals team logo on their medical-themed
attire. This adds a layer of brand recognition to the therapeutic experience.
Rigging
● Rig the 3D models for animation Blender bone armature and weight paint to deepen
the smooth and interactive actions.
● Test the rigs to ensure they move naturally and meet the project's needs.
Animation
● Animate characters to show various emotions, reactions, and actions, using Blender.
Changing actions by rigging bone, and reactions by changing face textures.
● Animate characters in ways that align with the therapeutic objectives of Pawpals,
potentially guiding the child through calming exercises and visualization techniques.
Tools
● Tools: Blender for all 3D procedures, Procreate for character sketches and demo
design, Photoshop for 3D textures used in Blender.
My role in 3D character design, enriched by nuanced shading techniques and thoughtful
texture work, serves as a cornerstone in achieving Pawpals' therapeutic goals. Utilizing
cartoon-like shading with outlines, the characters are tailored to captivate our young
audience, offering them a visually engaging distraction from the stressful hospital
environment. The incorporation of the Pawpals team logo into the characters'
medical-themed attire adds an additional layer of brand recognition, further establishing the project's identity within the therapeutic space.
By harmonizing artistic creativity with scientific research, the 3D designs aim to serve as
more than mere digital companions. They function as multi-faceted therapeutic agents,
offering both visual appeal and emotional comfort. This melding of art and science
encapsulates the essence of Pawpals, marking it as a pioneering endeavor in
non-pharmacological approaches to pediatric postoperative care.
Software using: Blender, Photoshop, Procreate, After Effects
