IMT&S Results

Goal 1: Deep Dive into Unreal Engine Functionality

Specific: Acquire intermediate proficiency in Unreal Engine by mastering various tools and functions, knowing how to setup the light, work withing the engine, post processing and sound design.

Measurable: Successfully complete the project, have a immersive functionality and elaborate game design.

Achievable: Research online free courses that could be useful. Experiment and prototype as much as possible. Ask professional people around

Relevant: Proficiency in Unreal Engine is essential for a job as a Game Designer, a portfolio piece fit for the role.

Time-Bound: Attain advanced proficiency within six months, completing the outlined projects and gaining feedback regularly to track progress and address areas of improvement.

Goal 2: Be a Professional Team Leader

Specific: Develop the skills to effectively manage a team of seven people and ensure precise project planning, covering aspects like task allocation, timeline management, and resource coordination.

Measurable: Successfully lead a project with a team of seven members from initiation to completion, meeting most project milestones, and achieving positive feedback from team members.

Achievable: Communicate with the team, attend meeting team coordination, and apply acquired knowledge in real-world projects with increasing complexity.

Relevant: Proficient project management is crucial for roles like Project Manager, as outlined in job descriptions at leading companies.

Time-Bound: Develop these skills within six months by dedicating a minimum of 24 hours per week to coursework, actively applying principles in real projects, and seeking feedback for continuous improvement.

Goal 3: Explore Motion Tracking

Specific: Enhance proficiency in motion capture using the Link suit and understand the entire pipeline for its implementation in Unreal Engine, covering calibration, recording, and integration into a virtual environment.

Measurable: Successfully complete 4 motion recordings using the Link suit, demonstrating a variety of movements, and receive positive feedback on the seamless integration into Unreal Engine.

Achievable: Rent the motion capture suit, and collaborate with actors experienced in motion capture technology.

Relevant: Proficiency in motion capture and Unreal Engine integration is highly valuable for roles like Technical Animator or Virtual Reality Designer, as indicated in job descriptions in bit AAA studios.

Time-Bound: In 6 month, gather knowledge about the organisation, have a clear and working pipeline that is needed to be done as the responsible member for this, have a lot of insights from learning.

Describe your expected contribution, based on the goals of the client.

In my role as a team leader and Unreal Engine designer, I will prioritize effective project planning and client communication. Ensuring well-coordinated appointments and timelines, I aim to streamline workflows for successful project outcomes.

Simultaneously, I will dive into Virtual Reality (VR) design using blueprints and tools in Unreal Engine, aiming to expand my technical skills. This dual-focus approach combines leadership responsibilities with hands-on design work, contributing to both project success and my personal professional growth. I will learn more about lighting, optimisation and debugging.

As the project organizer and manager, my primary focus will be on implementing a key learning goal centered around Unreal Engine. I plan to deepen my expertise in Blueprints, the engine's fundamental scripting tool, through hands-on experimentation and exploration of its diverse functionalities. This endeavour aims not only to elevate my proficiency in game design but also to contribute innovative solutions to our project.

Additionally, within the core animation method of our project, I will actively engage with Motion Captures, particularly utilizing the Link suit. This practical experience will provide insights into realistic movement capture, enhancing my skills in integrating motion capture technology seamlessly into Unreal Engine.

By combining in-depth work with Blueprints and hands-on experience in Motion Captures, I aim to not only meet project objectives but also to enrich my professional profile with valuable skills applicable to the dynamic landscape of game development.

Results:

Learning Goal 1: Deep Dive in Unreal Functionality

In this project, I made significant strides towards achieving my first learning goal of gaining a deep understanding of Unreal Engine functionality. While the project did not heavily rely on blueprint scripting, I successfully expanded my knowledge in other critical areas.

One of the highlights of my learning journey was in light optimization. Through utilizing Unreal Insights, I gained valuable insights into optimizing lighting within the project. This experience not only enhanced the visual quality of our scenes but also contributed to overall performance efficiency.

Additionally, I delved into debugging techniques which proved instrumental in troubleshooting and resolving issues promptly. This skill not only improved my problem-solving abilities but also ensured smoother development processes throughout the project lifecycle.

Furthermore, I explored the intricacies of working with sequencers, mastering the art of creating and managing cinematic sequences. This added a layer of sophistication to our project presentations and underscored my proficiency in Unreal Engine's versatile toolset.

Overall, while my exposure to blueprint scripting was limited, I leveraged this project to deepen my understanding of Unreal Engine's broader functionalities. This included refining my project management skills, such as planning and execution, which were crucial in delivering a successful outcome.

Moving forward, I aim to continue expanding my proficiency in Unreal Engine, particularly in areas that align closely with project demands and technical challenges.

Learning goal 2: Be a professional Team Leader

Throughout the project, I encountered significant challenges related to punctuality and team dynamics, which were highlighted during the midterm peer review. Constructive feedback indicated a need for improved adherence to project timelines and clearer communication as a team lead. This feedback coincided with a proposal to replace me, prompting me to reassess and enhance my leadership approach.

I responded by prioritizing enhanced communication and openness in team interactions. While I made efforts to exert greater control over project timelines and foster a collaborative atmosphere, it became evident towards the project's conclusion that additional measures were necessary.

This experience prompted deep reflection on trust dynamics within the team and the balance between delegation and oversight as a leader. Despite my efforts to demonstrate trust in the team's professionalism, there were instances where a more assertive leadership style was required. Effectively managing and supervising team members' work demands a nuanced approach that combines trust with clear direction and oversight.

Moving forward, I am committed to integrating these insights into my leadership practices. Emphasizing proactive communication, structured timelines, and assertive management when necessary will be crucial in fostering a cohesive and productive team environment.

In addition to refining my leadership skills, I take pride in my role in maintaining positive client relationships throughout the project. As the primary point of contact, I actively sought and valued client feedback, which was instrumental in affirming our team's reputation for delivering exceptional service despite internal challenges.

Maintaining effective client communication has been central to my approach. By prioritizing professionalism and client satisfaction, I navigated internal disagreements while ensuring our clients' needs were met. This experience underscored the importance of proactive client engagement and diplomacy in resolving internal conflicts.

Looking ahead, I am dedicated to further honing my client communication skills to uphold our team's reputation and continue delivering outstanding results.

Learning Goal 3: Explore Motion Tracking with Xsens Suits

Throughout the project, I delved deeply into motion capture (mocap) using Xsens suits, taking on the responsibility of directing recordings and gaining valuable insights from Marloes Bekhuis.

I significantly enhanced my understanding of mocap processes, particularly in setting up and operating Xsens suits. This included overseeing the hardware setup, managing data export and import, and processing animations. My involvement extended to directing animations using sequencers, ensuring alignment with project scripts and objectives.

One notable achievement was the development of a lighting method using four softboxes specifically tailored to enhance facial motion tracking. This innovation earned praise from Marloes, who highlighted its effectiveness in minimizing losses to depth maps and frames during facial motion tracking experiments. Marloes expressed intent to implement this method in future projects at XRLab, underscoring its practical impact and validation.

By actively engaging in the technical intricacies of mocap and leveraging feedback from industry experts like Marloes, I not only contributed to project success but also expanded my proficiency in advanced motion tracking techniques. This experience has equipped me with practical skills in hardware management, setup optimization, and innovative problem-solving, positioning me well for future endeavors in motion capture and animation technology.