references for sci fi soldiers

[PeteJ]

what kind of objects do you look at as references for sci fi soldiers; besides soldiers?

[Larriva Art]

Soldiers and tech aren't usually my subject, but I found this interesting: http://sweetrefbro.tumblr.com/
It's kind of a blend of conceptual and actual tech.

[OmenSpirits]

History of the world.

Any military culture in the world can become fodder for sci-fi.

[PeteJ]

thanks for that

but what I meant the designs for their suit. I swear sometimes i see a space marine that looks like he is wearing a laundry machine. Do they use household devices or random electronics unrelated to anything military to design their suits sometimes?

[Star Eater]

They can use their imagination as well...you don't need a strict
reference for -everything-

If you have a good understanding of shapes, movement, etc...then you
can apply that to more outlandish designs.

And yes, like you said, seemingly unrelated electronic objects and metallic
housings can all aid in forming something sci-fi-ish.

ED-209 from Robocop was actually based off a helicopter and a microphone
as well as the large redundant grill present in some cars of the time.

[CLANLESS]

Osprey books for military uniforms all over the world.

Also helps if you just look at mechanical objects such as vehicles and military weaponry.

http://mechlove.tumblr.com/
http://mechblog.tumblr.com/

[Arshes Nei]

They can use their imagination as well...you don't need a strict
reference for -everything-

If you have a good understanding of shapes, movement, etc...then you
can apply that to more outlandish designs.

And yes, like you said, seemingly unrelated electronic objects and metallic
housings can all aid in forming something sci-fi-ish.

ED-209 from Robocop was actually based off a helicopter and a microphone
as well as the large redundant grill present in some cars of the time.

Pretty much...
R2D2 is a trash can, Geordi LaForge's visor is a banana clip.

[arenhaus]

Geordi LaForge's visor is a banana clip.

Actually, a hair clip. But the idea is right.

[Beeston]

This is closely related to industrial designs.

So a good way to go about it is like this:
- Do research about different types of soldiers and their purpose and function in a standing army.
- Do research into experimental technologies, materials or alloys, computer systems, propulsion systems, anything in science that sparks your interest (which should be everything, because SCIENCE) And then think about their application in the function of any given soldier in a standing army.

Also, I'm interested as to why a soldier would be defined by the genre that it's in. Maybe it narrows down what kind of aesthetic we're going for, but I don't know. Seems a rather superficial way to go about it.

[Arshes Nei]

Actually, a hair clip. But the idea is right.

Uhh...

http://www.amazon.com/Goody-35955-Ba.../dp/B0017QDM6U

http://amzn.com/B004L5WRII

http://www.liketotally80s.com/banana-clip.html

[Featheredface]

But no, seriously, apply knowledge of existing shapes and designs into your own creation.

Then, refine that with the following questions to ask yourself;

1.; What is this soldier's function? Rank?

2: What terrain do they mainly fight in? How can I make their outfits/weaponry/armor accomodate this terrain?

3: Would this machine or person be able to even move our perform vital functions in this armor or machine? Revise where's needed.

4: So on and so forth.

[Star Eater]

Uhh...

http://www.amazon.com/Goody-35955-Ba.../dp/B0017QDM6U

http://amzn.com/B004L5WRII

http://www.liketotally80s.com/banana-clip.html

I think a banana clip is the name of that hair clip Eugene.

All I know is after an episode of TNG, I used to put my big sisters one
over my eyes.

[Parka81]

You can get lots of reference from those First Person Shooter game art.

E.g. Halo.



Mass Effect


Metal Gear Solid 4


Killzone 3, etc.

[manlybrian]

[Farvus]

manlybrian - haha. Agreed .

You can get lots of reference from those First Person Shooter game art.

E.g. Halo.

I bet they referenced the colors from this dude I just found on http://militaryphotos.net .



PS. By the way. How can you suggest other people's art as reference? I don't think any serious designer would be this lazy. Inspiration - yes. Reference - nah.

---