Transformers Prime

When we started production on this CG animated series over two years ago, we always set our sights on putting together a show that would set a new standard for TV animation quality. If you haven't seen the series, please check it out in HD. The first season is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. I know I may be a little biased, but every aspect of the show, from the writing, voice acting, designs, animation to the soundtrack is so stellar. The show impressed enough in the industry last year to earn two Daytime Emmy awards for outstanding individual achievement in animation for background design (me) and color design (Christophe Vacher).

Anyway here are a couple of early production designs I generated for the first season.

Cybertron after the civil war

The Autobot headquarters. A very complex set that turned out really well. I was hoping that Hasbro would make a toy playset out of this...

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse:

These designs were done for one of the five DC direct to videos that I contributed to while at Warner Brothers.

Superman's Fortress of Solitude.

I've always felt that the interior of Superman's Fortress of Solitude should feel more like a place of sanctuary as well as reflect more of his Kryptonian technology. Maybe you'll disagree, but having a space dominated by giant angular crystals isn't my idea of the ideal place for retreat and relaxation.

Darkseid's fortress.

The open air battle arena on Apokolips.

One view of Wonder Woman's paradise homeland island.

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

I only worked at Warner Brothers for a year, but had the opportunity to work on projects that involved my childhood comic book heroes. A lot of fun...

In my initial sketch at the top left, the interior of the Crime Syndicate headquarters lab originally started out as a vertical space with all the equipment located at the top of this space. I thought it would be cool to have the larger elements suspended from the ceiling, allowing the showdown battle between the Justice League and Crime Syndicate to happen below and above the platforms. However, in the design review process Bruce Timm suggested we flop the design 180 degrees and open the staging area for the non flying super heroes. All subsequent revisions were a result of script issues.

This typical corridor in the Crime Syndicate headquarters is an example of an uneventful space that becomes interesting only by utilizing strong shapes and avoiding tunnel vision. I liked how the background framed the very awesome character designs by Emmy award winning Phil Bourassa.

A high security vault. Simple strong shapes help create visual interest.