Fernando Tejada | Character Artist

ANOMALY (2023)

Realtime character, rendered in UE5. A very experimental project I started to challenge my design skills and learn more about Unreal Engine.

The story revolves around an outcast girl who becomes involved with a social justice warrior group. In the aftermath of a global crisis, the population is divided into various tribes, each attempting to challenge the established system. Many of these groups lack the resources to escalate conflicts to higher levels and resort to guerrilla warfare. These factions are based on different ideologies, such as anarchism, ecoterrorism, and the defense of press freedom. However, they don't colaborate with each other or even get along, sometimes they even fight among their ranks.

pt. I
The World

pt. II
The Tribe

The protagonist joins a group that is disinchanted with the current state of press and how information is manipulated. They strive to combat illiteracy and advocate for free access to unbiased information, resisting political agendas and economic interests of large corporations. The group engages in street activism, using graffiti and assaults on corporate businesses to spread their message. Wearing masks protects them from technology used against them, such as mind-controlling gases and manufactured viruses.

The inspiration for this story draws from the negationist movements that emerged after the COVID-19 pandemic. Some claimed the virus was artificial, while others propagated theories about microchips in vaccines. Exploring these conspiracies in a dystopian narrative adds an intriguing layer to the plot. But beyond this inspiration, the story aims to incorporate social critique and question contemporary societal issues. Although not an expert, I seek to address the polarization of society and the challenge of trusting information in the current era of overwhelming data. Despite technological advancements, skepticism about the reliability of information persists. Which generates conflict.

pt. III
The 4th Wall

pt. IV
The End

Returning to the character's journey, the narrative intends to depict her growth within the gang, gradually introducing doubts about the group's motives. The protagonist begins to question the veracity of their ideals and becomes critical of fellow critical thinkers. The story unfolds as she uncovers the minds behind the manipulation and reveals the hidden interests at play.

As a production artist, I also take care of the technical side of the workflow. I like to be very precise and have clean files that are easy to work with, but more importantly, I like to imbue the assets with tiny details that tell its own story.

I didn't use any concept, instead I based it on many references gathered from Pinterest. My idea evolved along I worked more and more on the project so I kept building the story around the character. Streetwear, techwear and urban fashion were the biggests inspirations, among others.

Some graphic elements I did for fun, giving depth to the story. Some are internal jokes with my friends while others are fictional brands that I envisioned present in the dystopian corporated controlled world.

The original "comunicado". I knew this was not friendly for a internet post so I left this as side image for anyone interested in knowing more.

Thanks for watching.

The Tired Elf (2022)

Fantasy elf portrait. One of my own designs, Exploration of a mix of stylized and realistic 3D techniques.

In a world steeped in the shadows of a dystopian fantasy future, I thought of her as one of its citizens —inspired by iconic game franchises such as Final Fantasy and The Witcher. Her character was crafted to personify a witty and cynical mechanic worn down by the relentless challenges posed by her environment.