Project: THE PERIPHERAL
Type : TITLE DESIGN
Synopsis
For the Amazon series, “The Peripheral,” written by acclaimed science fiction novelist William Gibson, we were asked to develop the look of a synthetic, skeletal hand. Approached by the creative team, led by director/showrunner Jonah Nolan and visual effects supervisors Jay Worth and Mark Spatny, the task was to create the look of the robotic endoskeleton for the character.
Collecting Data : Inspiration
Given the numerous advances in robotics in recent years, we collected a cross section of references of real-world mechanics that mimic the complicated functions of a biological hand. This raised numerous questions. Would bones be made of metal? Would we see exposed wires and cables, like veins and tendons, that provide movement to the hand?
The Anatomy : Muscles and Veins
After much thinking and discussion, we worked closely with comic book creators The Pander Brothers to design something that echoed the biology of the human hand. We felt their illustrative sensibilities would help convey an organic, yet wholly synthetic human hand.
Borrowing from real life, we experimented with numerous potential materials: 3D printed ABS plastic, plexiglass, rubber and metal.
Materials : A Study in Synthetics
In Motion : Plastic and Bone
Until finally settling upon something that felt right to this story.
Credits
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Concept Designs - The Pander Bros.
Shader Development - Duncan Beck
Rigging - Duncan Beck
Art Direction - Joshua Cox
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