Abstract
My thesis artifact is a tavern nestled within a mountainous forest, designed in the style of traditional Chinese architecture. The main goal of this project is to faithfully translate a 2D concept into a high-quality 3D game environment. The scene emphasizes the harmony between architecture and nature, while a dynamic system presents the changes of the four seasons. Spring is bright and full of vitality; autumn features falling leaves and a more subdued, melancholic tone; winter is covered in snow, creating a quiet and tranquil atmosphere.
For a 3D environment artist, concept design, modeling, and lighting are all essential skills. How to effectively integrate these elements and achieve the best possible visual results is a topic worth exploring. In this project, I based the architectural breakdown on the unique mortise-and-tenon structure found in traditional Chinese architecture. By applying the principles of hyper modularity, I was able to freely assemble and reconstruct components, greatly enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of the scene creation process.
In terms of seasonal changes, I aimed to express the passage of time and narrative qualities within the scene, making the environment visually more dynamic. To achieve this, lighting and post-processing are especially crucial, serving as key elements that require in-depth exploration and careful refinement.
Through the development of this project, I became familiar with the full workflow of environment concept design and modular construction. I also gained extensive hands-on experience in dynamic materials, blueprint logic, lighting optimization, and post-processing techniques.
Degree Date
Spring 2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.I.T.
Department
Art Creation
Advisor
Boris Fisher
Second Advisor
Joowon MacDowell
Format
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Zhang, Yujia, "Hyper Modular & Seasonal Tavern Design" (2025). Art Theses and Dissertations. 6.
https://scholar.smu.edu/guildhall_art_etds/6
