User:Jsnprk
Jason Park. background designer. transformers prime. Jason Park is currently a background designer on Transformers Prime. He collaborates with other members of the production team to generate key set designs for 3D animation. He uses traditional sketching and drawing to conceptualize the designs, and then refines the designs in 3D using Google Sketchup and Adobe Photoshop. He prioritizes the importance of design within certain constraints that are unique to the show. The goal being creation of interesting backdrops that augment the story, while not stealing attention away from characters. Technical factors such as reusability, scale, and modularity also inform the nature of his set designs. As such, the design of his sets benefit from sensitivity to story, architectural style, and technical limitation. Being a Transformers G1 geek since grade school has made this job a true favorite in his career. Having the opportunity to explore and expand on the mythology of this familiar franchise is his childhood dream come true. During the past thirteen years, Jason has also worked as a designer and storyboard artist, in both television and feature animation. He has also worked on several video games as a concept illustrator. He received his education at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:
Feb.’10- current- BG design- Transformers prime TV show- Hasbro
Jul. '09- Feb.’10- BG design- Metalocalypse Season 3- Adult Swim
Apr.’09- Jul.’09- Visual Development Artist- Toonzone
Mar.’09- Apr.’09- Concept Artist- Game Mechanic Studios
Nov. '07- Oct. '08- Concept Designer- Tiberium- Electronic Arts LA
Apr. '07- Nov '07- BG Design- Metalocalypse Season 2- Adult Swim
Mar. '07- Apr. '07- BG Artist- Los Campesinos Music Video- Monkmus
Dec.'06- Mar. '07- BG Design- Slacker Cats- Film Roman
Oct. '06- Nov.'06- BG design- Family Guy TV show- Fox Network
Dec. '05-Oct.'06- BG design- Metalocalypse TV show- Adult Swim
Sept.'05- Oct.'05- Story Artist "Aid Dealer" music video- Partizan Entertainment
Jun.'05- Aug.'05- Storyboard Artist- Boondocks TV show- Sony Pictures
May.'05- Jun.'05- Mecha Design/ Layout- Spike TV Bumper- Titmouse
Apr.'04- Aug.'04- Storyboard Artist- Juniper Lee TV show- Cartoon Network
Apr.'03- Aug.'03- Storyboard Artist- Megas XLR TV show- Cartoon Network Mar.'03- Apr.'03- Story Artist- Hifana Music Video- Wieden & Kennedy
Aug.'02- Spt.'02- Storyboard Artist- ESPN Evolution- Motion Theory
Nov.'00- Dec.'01- Storyboard Artist- Wild Thornberrys Movie- Paramount
May '00- Spt. '00- 2D artist/ Designer- online flash games- VIKK
Dec. '00- Apr. '00- Storyboard Artist- As Told by Ginger TV show- KC
Oct. '98- Nov '00- Storyboard Artist- The Wild Thornberrys TV show- KC
Jun.'98- Oct.'98- BG designer- The Wild Thornberrys TV show- KC
Jan.'98- Jun.'98- Prop Designer- The Wild Thornberrys TV show- KC
excerpts from Transformers Prime facebook interview with crew members:
Abby Dillon asks: Hey! Thanks for all your work on the show! Is there any particular background that you would like to design for Transformers Prime? Why? JASON PARK: Hmm... I guess I really dig doing designs for anything related to Cybertron as a location. As a kid watching G1 TF on TV, all the glimpses of Cybertron are what got my imagination racing the most. I'd just sit there trying to imagine it all. As such, chances to design sets there are the most rewarding for me. I get to add to a rich 20 year plus history of Cybertron designs and try to contribute my own touches to developing its fiction. It's like being an architect, but the clients are Autobots and Decepticons.
Kassie Kaye Terry asks: (1) How hard is it to design a background in the show? (2) Do you get any inspiration by traveling to Nevada or looking at different scenery? (3) Since you are a Transformers aficionado, how do you like the different designs of the characters from G1 to the present?
JASON PARK: 1. Some tasks and designs are more challenging than others, so the level of difficulty in designing can vary broadly. 2. Inspiration for me has definitely been enhanced by traveling to places such as Nevada in the past. As an artist and designer, I think all the experiences and places one visits, ultimately augment the believability of many set designs. Places one has experienced can lend a subtle depth that reference images alone can't convey. 3. Being a TF fan, primarily G1, I'd say the TF prime characters are easily my favorite since my childhood. The raw style and vision that Prime principal designer Jose Lopez brings to the design of the established characters is totally awesome. I think he culled the best elements of the previous existing incarnations and added a unique flair that really wasn't present in the franchise prior to his involvement. Very strong designs with a lot of flavor all around.
