Character Design without bilateral symmetry

Michel Mony · 2013-07-23T05:53:06

Greetings For the past few weeks I've been researching life forms (real or fictious) that did not obey bilateral symmetry and have come to realize that the artists and media that have attempted to depict alien life have had a hard time breaking away from earth-like conventions. I find myself unsure whether this is because its hard to think in different ways or because there is scientific evidence that bilateral symmetry is a standard mutation. Anyone seen a good resource where I could find decent concept art that doesn't apply bilateral symmetry? Likewise, I'm a bit surprised by the apparent convention to group these funcytions together in a single limb (head). sight and hearing or any other form of spatial sensor. Ability to eat. Communication. and putting locomotion and manipulation in specific limbs. Are there not ways to mix and match these functions in other credible ways? Finally, in regards to sensoring, I'm interested to find others than the human senses for worlds where there may be no sound and possibly no light. I've been researching deep sea fishes in that regard but I'm sure there are other ways to go. I'm not sure it is the right place to post but since this is mainly a question of anatomy for concept art purposes I felt it was the most adequate forum. Feel free to move as necessary.

2D and 3D Art Visual Arts

Started by Orymus3 July 21, 2013 03:09 PM

10 comments, last by Orymus3 10 years, 9 months ago

Prinz Eugn

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July 23, 2013 03:08 AM

Prinz Eugn, on 22 Jul 2013 - 5:14 PM, said:

Old school option: Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials. Interesting because it has a pretty detailed background for each species (which are all taken from famous sci-fi up to that point) and physiological justifications for each design.
Interesting. what level of language should I expect? I'm not very anatomy/biology savvy, so I'm just trying to make sure I'll get it

Oh, not very technical at all since it's about fleshing out designs described in fiction as well as possible (and some authors go farther than others). I guess it might not be detailed compared to what you're looking for. You can always preview some sections via Amazon (Click to Look Inside on the image of the cover) if you're curious.

-Mark the Artist

Digital Art and Technical Design
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Orymus3

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July 23, 2013 05:53 AM

Thanks!

I'll be sure to look it up.

Character Design without bilateral symmetry

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Character Design without bilateral symmetry

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