Create A Virtual Diorama of Your Dream Weekend

ASSIGNMENT

Create a scene depicting your dream weekend, and style it using the paper cutout look.

And remember that you don't have to wait for the finished project to post it to the project gallery. Post progress updates every step of the way if you'd like and feel free to ask for feedback. I want to see what you're making!

DELIVERABLE

Upload your final project to the project gallery. It can be a single photo, multiple photos, or if you animated your project, a video showcasing your dream weekend scene. If you decide to make a video, be sure to share a link from YouTube, Vimeo, etc. or if you'd like to post a GIF, but can't get the filesize under 2mb, upload the image to www.imgur.com and just link to the image's URL using the "insert image" button when editing your project.

Each project should include:

At least 3 layers of depth (foreground, main subject, background)
Paper texture
3D lighting with shadows

I'd love to see some animated designs, but it is not a requirement for this project.

RESOURCES

To make things a little easier for you, I've put together a pack of high-res scans of construction paper textures that you can download and use in any of your work free of charge. Download them here.

It's also a great idea to look over all the After Effects Keyboard Shortcuts to start working efficiently in After Effects.

INSPIRATION

I've put together this pinterest board of inspiration from real paper dioramas and shadowboxes. Pay attention to how the scenes are put together in layers, where the lighting is coming from, and how they used (or didn't use) color.