Bottom Down

The atmosphere I aimed for was melancholic but chill. I set the environment in a prison and used doddle style textures to add a bit of insanity in the scene. In contrast, the characters are designed to be soft and cute, with calm, indifferent expressions that bring a sense of relaxation. I wanted to spark the viewer’s curiosity — why are they locked up here? And why do they seem so relaxed?

In the concept, the skeleton is a “jaded grim reaper” who’s tired of collecting souls and just wants to live each day in comfort. To reflect that, I dressed him in a hoodie, sweatpants, and slippers.

As for the little girl, she’s haunted by a strange shadow that stares at her constantly, driving her to the edge. Eventually, she gives up resisting. I had the shadow stare directly at the viewer for a few seconds to emphasize its unsettling presence—something that doesn’t quite belong in this world, something that seems to know more than it should.

For the 3D environment, I created a custom shader that makes textures appear denser in darker areas. To enhance the hand-drawn feel, I also added thick outline strokes around the objects.

For the 3D environment, I created a custom shader that makes textures appear denser in darker areas. To enhance the hand-drawn feel, I also added thick outline strokes around the objects.

The fish and rotating shapes outside the prison are meant to highlight the passage of time and a laid-back atmosphere, creating a stark contrast with the situation inside the prison.