For this environment illustration, I wanted to create a piece that felt alien while still taking design and characteristics from our world. An underwater environment is the best way to go for this challenge considering how alien, yet familiar the ocean already feels. 

 

I started off the process with mind-mapping my early thoughts. Simultaneously I was researching marine life and underwater habitats and how they function. After I started getting a clearer picture of what I wanted to create, I began to gather my visual library. I became very fascinated with jellyfish in particular, Their dome shaped bodies and unique glowing patterns fit into my project perfectly. I also enjoyed the unique shape of the stingray. Its flatter rounder shape gave me a lot of inspiration for potential vehicle designs. When designing the structures, I came across people creating drip sand castles at the beach which felt alien but also naturalistic which I pulled a lot of inspiration from. After I felt I had gathered plenty of visual information, I began thumbnailing; then I refined the best option; then color comps; then lastly, I pushed the piece to final.