Dung Ngo is a
Multidisciplinary Designer based in HCMC, Vietnam.
Fueled by pop culture, design thinking, and extensive research, Dung is into crafting sophisticated concepts with an eye for detail and an experimental mindset. His motto is to realise visual solutions that strike a balance between artistic and commercial goals.
Project 10
Year
2020
Art Direction
Dung Ngo
LookDev & 3D Modelling
Dung Ngo
3D Animation
Dung Ngo
Supervisor
Hellmut Monz, Patrice
Scope of work
Typography, Graphic Design, Photography
Scope of Work
Art Direction, LookDev, 3D Animation, Interactive
Heavenhood
Heavenhood is a VR walking simulator that explores the theme of dystopia underneath the utopia camouflage. As the player progresses through the game, they interact with the surroundings and discover the underlying disturbing truth. Under the control of excessive surveillance, human lose their privacy, and eventually, their identity. Heavenhood aims to challenge the ideal standards of society and highlight the invasion of technology in our lives. At the end of the day, whether Heavenhood is a utopia or dystopia, it depends on the perception of the players.
Project Trailer
Originally developed as a Mixed Reality course assignment at RMIT University, Heavenhood is a project I have long to realize.
Heavenhood explores the technological dystopia through an immersive VR role-playing game set in a seemingly perfect neighborhood, where hidden truths are revealed through interaction to invite players to question the world around them.
Concept:
Dystopia in Disguise
Tackling the genre of technological dystopia, the game aims to build a twist that tricks and flips the perception of the players. In order to do so, utopian and dystopian elements are respectively introduced in the experience. After being exposed to a utopia in the appearance of a dream suburban neighbourhood, the players will realise that humans are cloned and replaced by robots.
Visual Style
To trick the players into believing that they are present in a perfect heaven-like neighbourhood, pastel colours are implemented for a sweet and soft mood. In addition, the 3D graphics are designed to be blocky and rounded to enhance friendly, innocent values. This is to create a vivid contrast between the utopian camouflage and the mechanical details of the dystopian side. As a result, it becomes more disturbing and uneasy on the players when they discover the underlying truth.
Character Design
The characters are dressed in 1950s clothes, an optimistic era in America. This aims to mock the utopian standards by modelling the characters after the cliché American stereotypes of respectable white collar working men and the ideal housewives. They are always happy with a constant smile on their faces. This depicts a dream-like life as if they are characters from a dollhouse.
Look Development
Utopian Elements
Inspired by the idyllic housing of America in 1950s, Heavenhood introduces houses that are systematically built to be identical. Also, the iconic white picket fence and the perfect green lawn also pay tribute to the American 1950 utopian vision.
Look Development
Dystopian Elements
Reflection
This is one of the most challenging projects that I was the only person in charge from pre-production to post-production. This is not just a chance to improve my 3D skills, but also other workload in a production team so that I could practice my other soft skills.