Love Death + Robots: Helping Hand Early Version
I worked with the amazing team at Axis Studios on the Netflix Episode "Helping Hand" of the Love Death + Robots series. This was my first project at Axis and one I absolutely enjoyed working on. Shown here are concepts from the initial stylised version of the project (eventually, the looks were decided to be realistic - for the final version check out my other Helping Hand post). Director Dana Dorian and Art Director Bram Sels did their utmost to push the design of this stylised world and make it into something really unique, fascinating and even quirky. Unlike with the final version, this emphasized aesthetics over "practical" design. I started with some first iteration on the satelite and very early spacecraft exploration before I was tasked with the interior design. I really hope you enjoy looking at all the little gems hidden in there : ) Many Thanks to Dana and Bram, working on this was absolutely enjoyable.
Interior design. Here, the idea was that this is not a mere "repair service van in space" but really Alex' living space. And Alex was in this quite an expressive character : )
Satelite iteration...
Satelite iteration. Art Director Bram Sels wanted to go for "Brutalism in Space". Which is cool. The shapes were meant to be expressive and not about functionality so much.
Spaceship exploration. Input had been to not worry about making sense, this could be done later, once something interesting would come about. The funny thing was that one of the very first drafts (2nd top row right) survived all through the project ^^
Another input was to see if something interesting might come from photobashing, suggested by Bram as my usual approach is all-pencil. Again, those were only seen as starting points, to be refined into something more sensical later.
For a short while it looked like this was going to be Alex' vehicle. Decals and grafitti were developed for it, too. I liked this one ^^
Iteration of the interior, based on different degrees of faceting. The boxy version was chosen but everything should be postered as a contrast to the harsh outside looks of the ship and satelite. Character art by Fred Augis, Richard Anderson, Bram Sels
Final version of the interior and "blueprints" to help modelers. Character art by Fred Augis, Richard Anderson, Bram Sels, added for scale.
Airlock interior with grafitti and other personal "adjustments"
Design for the pilot seat, note that the character had quite long legs. The blurred areas were photo references for the asset team, these have been removed from all concepts shown here.
Character by Fred Augis, added for scale.
The tool kit the character would take along to fix the satelite. The chrome-like tool references a real NASA tool except we made it foldable to fit in there.
Iterations of space debris.
Iterations of Alex' arm sling and wound dressing.