NFT

Overview

To create and mint a non-fungible token (NFT). Get familiar with the concept and practice to join other creators profiting from NFT's.

Concept

I wanted to create an NFT that can be relatable to everyone who experienced and endured 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic did not just affect America but it affected the whole world like the bubonic plague pandemic that occurred from 1346 - 1353. I wanted to bring back an iconic symbol from the Black Death and modernize it. The plague doctor mask.

RESEARCH

Before beginning my process I looked into the origin of the Plague Doctor Mask. Everyone knows it's a mask worn by doctors during the Black Death however I wanted to delve a little deeper to know why they wanted to dress like overgrown birds. Turns out the doctors back then believed the plague was spread through "bad air" they called miasma. They also thought they would be able to protect themselves from miasma by filling the beak of their mask with a medical concoction called theriac. It was a multi-ingredient medicine that included over 64 ingredients. There were flowers like roses and lavenders in the ingredients along with herbs, animal parts, fruits, and more.

This jar is what they use to keep the concoction of the theriac in.

SKETCHES

I began sketching out ideas for the mask. I knew I wanted a simple sophisticated animation since it would be turned into an NFT. I thought about incorporating paint to resemble myself during the 2020 pandemic. Or showing the original use of the mask and showcasing the beauty of the flowers. I also considered a dark version of my mask that has smoke coming out to symbolize the miasma the plague doctors believed caused the spread of the plague.

STYLEFRAME

The illustrated design for my plague doctor mask.

PROCESS

After discussing the design with my art director, we decided it would be best to refine the design of the mask and design it more visually interesting instead of the center of the frame. My NFT will also be created in 3D using Cinema 4D. We also decided to combine the idea of good and evil. Showing the beauty of the flowers and the naive thoughts of the doctors back then. As well as showcasing the miasma in a more dark gloomy side of the mask. It will be a looping animation showcasing each side of the mask.

Side view of the mask to help with modeling

Front view of the mask to help with modeling

Beginning of modeling the mask. I used the front and side view drawings to help guide the shape and placement.

FIRST PASS

SECOND PASS

After exploring the render times from the animation I found that having a camera move that moves around the mask would not be possible once I added texture because of my computers limitations. I decided that a simple move of the mask like it was breathing and alive would be best. I also found that my textures were too labor intensive and I had to tone them down for my computer to handle it. After that I focused on lighting choosing between a cool or warm light. Based on my pink and white color palette I thought warm lighting would suit it best.

FINAL

My Plague doctor mask fully finished and animated. I incorporated the dark side of the mask to showcase the more evil version association of the mask itself. The way I envisioned the mask to switch between good and evil was more of a jarring glitch. I wanted to communicate a feeling of a different reality or dimension. I did that by having the exact same animation of the flower and breathing however the color and lighting completely changes to a more dark sinister version. The overall animation turned out exactly as I wanted it to and I am extremely proud to put it for sale as an NFT.

INFINITE OBJECT

Along with the digital ownership when purchasing my NFT the buyer will also receive a Infinite Object. Making the digital art a physical object people can place on their desk and enjoy.

OPEN SEA

PROCESS OF MINTING

Minting and putting my art for sale

NFT

NFT