This project contains 2 other levels/maps on my portfolio, Tsa'heylu Islands and White Fungi Swamp, all heavily inspired by Avatar, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora!
To guide the overall look and feel of the level, I created a mood board filled with reference images and aesthetics I wanted to capture throughout the build. A key source of inspiration was The Clouded Forest from Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, which helped shape the lush, immersive atmosphere. I also used this project as an opportunity to explore dynamic lighting by experimenting with time-of-day and day/night cycles, ultimately crafting a vivid, bioluminescent nightlife environment that adds depth and mood to the scene.
COMPLETED APRIL 2024
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When sculpting the terrain for this map, I centered the layout around key natural features such as the lakes, waterfalls, and flowing streams, using them as the foundation for the environment’s composition. From there, I built up the surrounding landscape with rock formations and mountainous elements, carefully placing stones and pebbles along the shorelines to enhance realism and detail.
To match the world’s ethereal, mystical vibe, I customized the terrain textures with a purple-toned palette that added to the atmosphere. I also created a custom sky sphere that incorporated an HDRI-based planet, helping to reinforce the alien feel and establish a unique sense of place.
When sculpting the terrain for this map, I centered the layout around key natural features such as the lakes, waterfalls, and flowing streams, using them as the foundation for the environment’s composition. From there, I built up the surrounding landscape with rock formations and mountainous elements, carefully placing stones and pebbles along the shorelines to enhance realism and detail.
To match the world’s ethereal, mystical vibe, I customized the terrain textures with a purple-toned palette that added to the atmosphere. I also created a custom sky sphere that incorporated an HDRI-based planet, helping to reinforce the alien feel and establish a unique sense of place.
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Next, I focused on selecting foliage that best matched the overall tone and atmosphere of the environment. Bioluminescence was a key part of the design, helping to bring the world to life—especially at night—by enhancing the vivid, otherworldly feel. To keep everything cohesive, I also modified the foliage textures to reflect the project’s purple color palette, making sure each element supported the mystical, nighttime aesthetic.
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