Derick Tsai Blog

Lore: Environments

2012-01-21T05:03:00.000-06:00

Hey all!

Here's some work for an original project I'm currently developing called "Lore". It is part of something larger I am working on with Stephen Chang and Randy Bantog at Magnus Rex. It's been an exciting process and I'll be sharing more work soon!

Hope you enjoy!

The Success Of Failure

2012-01-21T04:55:00.001-06:00

Hey all-

Great article at CNN on the role of "failure" in creativity can be found here.
Check out this quote.

"Successful people -- creative people -- fail every day, just like everybody else. Except they don't view failure as a verdict. They view it as an opportunity. Indeed, it's failure that paves the way for creativity."

Give it a read, you won't be sorry.

-Derick

The Name Of The Wind

2012-01-21T04:41:00.001-06:00

Hey all-

I've been listening to tons of audiobooks recently while working and discovered a great novel that's been out for a few years. The book is "The Name Of The Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss. It's a story about a poor young wizard (not like "Harry Potter") making his way through The University and all the challenges he faces. Rothfuss has beautiful prose and incredible insight into personal relationships, education and especially the different tiers of society. It's a great read (and listen), you won't be disappointed.

-Derick

A Storm Of Swords

2012-01-21T04:36:00.001-06:00

Hey all-

I honestly believe "A Storm Of Swords" is the best book in "The Song Of Ice & Fire" series. I've experienced this book multiple times and it still touches me deeply. "Game Of Thrones" is an amazing show but check out the books, they will blow you away! I especially recommend the audiobook ready by Roy Dotrice, the amount of voices that man can do is amazing.

Enjoy!

Derick

Musika

2011-11-14T15:57:00.001-06:00

Hey all!

Here is the first entry in Musika, a personal project I've been developing for a while.
It's exciting to finally get going on it, more to come!

-Derick

Deity: Exploratory Design

Lara Croft & The Guardian Of Light

2011-11-14T15:43:00.001-06:00

Here is keyframe art created at Magnus Rex for Lara Croft & The Guardian of Light. These pieces were used to determine the look and feel of major moments in the game cinematics.

You can view the whole project here.

Enjoy!

-Derick

Duels

2011-11-14T14:51:00.001-06:00

I worked on this project for over 3 years and worked with a team to design scores of characters for the MMORPG "Duels". This project has a special place in my heart becasue it was one of the first projects I landed to start my studio, Magnus Rex.

The objective was to design character sets, which is to take one central design and alter small elements to create multiple variations on a theme. It was a really fun exercise because each character set essentially became its own mini-culture.

Below are some samples of the character sets created for the game.

Enjoy!

-Derick

Asian Warrior Set

Roman Warrior Set

Persian Warrior Set

The Magic Of Making A Start

2011-11-14T08:01:00.001-06:00

Hey all!

Here's a little something for your Monday morning!

-Derick
---
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things can occur to help one that would not otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assurance which no man would have dreamed would come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic and power in it. Begin it now.”

- W.H. Murray in The Scottish Himalayan Expedition

Mythika: Some BG and Inspiration

2011-11-14T04:35:00.001-06:00

Hey all!

A lot of ppl asking me where the idea for Mythika Prime came from, so I thought I'd address it here. I've always been fascinated by puppetry, it seemed like such a primal form of animation; a person literally breathing life into an inanimate object.

I was really inspired by different forms of puppetry around the world during the making of Mythika Prime, I love the craftsmanship and the obvious love and care that went into each piece. I wanted to fuse that language with that of modern animation into something that felt tactile, yet still had a powerful graphic feel to it. Below are 2 pieces that particularly guided me in the development of this personal project.

Hope you enjoy the work so far, more to come!

-Derick

Mythika: Full Cast Lineup

2011-11-14T04:03:00.001-06:00

Here is the full cast Lineup of Mythika Prime, careful attention was paid to differentiating the different cultures from each other through texture, color and shape.

You can see the whole project here.

-Derick

Mythika: All Hail The Rex

2011-11-14T03:55:00.001-06:00

Hey all!

This is from Mythika Prime, an original project I worked on during my free time for the better part of 2010 and a bit of 2011. I never tried anything graphic, so I thought it would be fun to give it a try. I really enjoyed it and will be exploring this particular design language more in the future.

The concept was to create an original fantasy mythology centered around puppetry with a contemporary graphic feel. I've always been fascinated by puppetry and this was the perfect opportunity to indulge in that obsession.

Here's one of my favorite shots and the different components that make up the scene.
You can view the whole project here.

-Derick

Final Shot

Main Character

Supporting Characters

Set

The Nightmare Before Christmas Animated Poem

2011-11-14T01:14:00.001-06:00

Hey all!

Here are some final keyframe art from The Nightmare before Christmas Animated Poem. This project was a particular challenge because how do you reinterpret a classic, yet still retain its unique charm? After many rounds of development, I think a nice balance was struck.

You can see the full project here.

-DT

Nomads: The Gunslinger

2011-11-14T00:53:00.001-06:00

This is from a fantasy western project I'm doing in the tradition of The Weird West, basically a fusion of western elements with other genres. Here's a reinterpretation of "The Gunslinger".
You can see the whole project here.

Enjoy!

-Derick

Inspiration

Modest Mouse "Dashboard"

2011-11-14T00:25:00.001-06:00

Visual development for Modest Mouse's epic video, "Dashboard". Loved working on this project with Motion Theory, it was a fun challenge to combine discarded technology with musical equipment to create an interesting aesthetic.

You can view the full project here.

-Derick

Magnus Rex in IFX

2011-11-13T23:39:00.001-06:00

Hey all!

There was a profile on my studio, Magnus Rex, in October's Star Wars themed issue of Imagine FX. You can read the article here, and thanks to IFX for the great write-up!

It was a personal thrill to be a part of this issue because it had the feeling of coming full circle. Like most of the artists of my generation, Star Wars holds a special place in our hearts. I believe many of us were inspired directly by the "Art Of" books to get into the industry and see what we could contribute to the game. I felt like a kid again reading the Star Wars features, they really reminded me why I got into concept design and imaginative illustration in the first place, which is to evoke a sense of wonder in the viewer and to create a world for him to be immersed in.

I also remember reading IFX years ago when I first got into art school and being blown away by the work inside, and now that very publication did a feature on my company. It's amazing what can happen if you just stay on the path and keep grindin'.

Till next time, may the Force be with us all.

-Derick

New Magnus Rex Preview Site!

2011-06-16T22:34:00.004-05:00

Hey all!

The new preview site for Magnus Rex is up @ www.magnusrex.com.
Full site coming soon, please check back for details!

-Derick