Final Released Product

I worked on many shots in this sequence.

This experience equipped me with a user-centered approach, collaborative problem-solving, and expertise in visual storytelling to craft engaging UX designs.

Overview

As a Visualization Artist, I contributed to "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," a major production in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). My work involved creating previsualization sequences that served as a blueprint for the film's dynamic action scenes and cinematic storytelling. During the process, I had to solve technical and creative problems and collaborate with key stakeholders. This case study demonstrates my ability to translate storylines into impactful visuals, a skill I am now applying to UX design to create user-centered, engaging experiences. Visualization is like prototyping in UX, ensuring the final product aligns with the original vision while addressing practical constraints.

Project Goals

1. Translate the director’s and writer’s story into visually compelling sequences.

2. Ensure clarity and alignment among all production stages: previsualization, techvis, real-world shoot, and post-production.

3. Deliver high-quality previs that enabled seamless integration into live-action shoots and final VFX.

Process

1. Understanding the Vision

   • Collaboration: Received the initial story, narrative goals, and overall creative direction from the director and writers.

   • Research: Conducted thorough research, gathering references to align the film’s tone, style, and action choreography with audience expectations and cinematic goals.

   • Sketching: Developed simplified quick thumbnail sketches to visualize key moments, dynamic poses, and fight choreography, ensuring alignment with the overarching story arc.

2. Creating the Previs

   • Master File Setup: Structured and organized related project assets, including characters, props, effects, and environments, into a master file to streamline sequence shot production.

   • Animation:

     • Curated and refined action motion capture animations for realism.

     • Enhanced fight choreography by adding custom keyframe animations and mixing different motion captures to ensure fluidity and engaging fight sequences.

   • Cinematography: Added cameras to capture the sequences in Maya. Applied cinematic principles by designing dynamic camera movements and angles, enhancing the emotional impact and storytelling depth. Ensured shots aligned with the director’s storytelling intent.

3. Iterative Feedback Loops

   • Internal Reviews: I regularly presented my shots and sequences to leads and supervisors for critical feedback to refine them effectively.

   • Director Reviews: Supervisors presented sequences to the director to integrate creative notes, ensuring the final output matched their vision.

   • Revisions: Applied iterative adjustments to animations and cinematography until all stakeholders approved.

4. Production Integration

   • Techvis: Aligned CG environments with real-world sets, actors, and cameras, ensuring technical accuracy during live-action shoots.

   • Live-Action Shoots: Provided visual guidance for stunt coordination and actor performances based on previs choreography.

   • Postvis: Contributed to integrating CG elements with live-action footage, creating a cohesive narrative for director reviews.

Challenges and Solutions

• Challenge: Balancing creative freedom with technical constraints.

  Solution: I used light effects cards to mimic large-scale magical effects, avoiding costly particle simulations in Maya. This approach ensured visually stunning results while maintaining smooth performance and faster iteration cycles.

• Challenge: Balancing dynamic visuals with clear storytelling.
  Solution: Prioritized narrative clarity in thumbnails and camera angles to ensure the sequence’s emotional and plot-driven moments resonated with audiences.

• Challenge: Meeting tight production deadlines while maintaining high-quality output.
  Solution: Streamlined workflows by organizing reusable animation assets and adhering to a structured feedback system and version control.

Results

• Delivered previs sequences that formed the foundation for intricate action scenes and elevated the film’s storytelling.

• Contributed to a smooth production pipeline, ensuring efficient collaboration across previsualization, live-action, and VFX teams.

• "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" grossed $955.8 million worldwide and earned critical acclaim for its groundbreaking visuals and compelling action sequences.

Key Takeaways

This project reinforced my ability to:

1. Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to align creative and technical objectives.

2. Utilize storytelling principles and technical expertise to design engaging and functional visual experiences.

3. Adapt to iterative workflows, ensuring quality and precision in every stage of production.

Relevance to UX Design

My experience in previsualization translates directly into UX design by equipping me with:

• A user-centered approach to crafting great visual narratives and experiences for the audience.

• The ability to prototype dynamic shots that align with stakeholder goals.

• A collaborative mindset to incorporate feedback and refine solutions iteratively.

• Like designing a seamless user journey, cinematic storytelling relies on clear and intentional framing to guide the audience.

I bring a unique perspective to UX design, leveraging my expertise in visual storytelling and technical precision to create intuitive, engaging, and impactful user experiences.