Chu!

I stumbled across this adorable crow design by character designer Janice Chu. For my capstone project, what started as adoration and love for Studio Ghibli’s work and an aspiration to work there someday, turned into an integration of my experience studying abroad in Japan, as well a culmination of my several years of research and cultural immersion regarding Japanese art and cultural practices. This crow design appears to be a messenger crow, or a little crow on a mission, and from it’s appearance it seems like it’s on a journey, but do we know where? And doesn’t it look a little lost? Based on Janice Chu’s original character design I decided to explore this character and their story in 3D, and to see just where this little guy is off to and if they even know where they’re going.

(2024) Art by Janice Chu, responsible for all other aspects. Softwares used: Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Arnold.