Fairytales: Q&A with Jennifer Whitbread
questions by SealWyf, HSM Editor
Lockwood broke new ground with the Fairytales line of virtual items, both with the whimsical theme and the fact that they are based on concept art by an actual Home user. Jennifer graciously fielded HSM’s questions about the new content and her inspirations, and offers suggestions to other Home users who would like to submit concepts to Home’s developers.
HSM: Please tell us a little about your background. (For instance, are you a student? Do you have plans to work in the design field?)
JW: Right now, I am currently not enrolled in school, or any classes. After High School I was pretty lost, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do. I have always thought of furthering my education with art. I am very passionate about traditional forms of art, I do not just paint but I like to work with my hands. I can paint on canvas for days and I was actually introduced to painting on canvas in my second year of high school. Actually at that point in my life, I have always loved to draw, and I really didn’t know that painting with actual paints and canvas was a popular thing. I kinda thought it was a ‘old world’ form of art for some reason. I laugh at myself now.
Sending my conceptual designs to Lockwood really broadened my mind quite a bit, I actually sort of realized that I enjoy design a lot more than I ever thought. I always figured I would make money selling paintings or owning my own business. For a long time I considered going to school to become an art teacher. I remember the only year I had freedom to express myself artistically was in my junior and senior year of high school. Art in grade school was basically just coloring in coloring pages. I think different forms of art should be introduced at a younger age. As far as working into the Design field, I had not thought about until this experience. I think it is something I would really enjoy, and I do plan to look into it.
How did you get the idea for the Fairytales series? What do fairy tales mean to you?
In fact, it wasn’t an idea that was always brewing in my head. On Home, I usually strayed from costumes — I wore more fashionable clothes. The first thing I was actually intending to send Lockwood was a line of colorful retro pinup bathing suits. It wasn’t till I realized that it was a bit late to send summer apparel that I started thinking of my favorite holiday, which is Halloween. I started with a few sketches, the first ones being male and female versions of both Red Riding Hood and Wolf. I fell in love with them, and began to question why Home didn’t have any traditional fairy tale costumes. It was like one of those idea light bulb moments from that point.
Fairytales for me are more of a reminder. I absolutely love fairytales. Growing up, my grandma use to tell me all kinds of stories, sometimes from books and some not. She would also take me to places in northern Arizona and go on nature walks to hunt for fairies. We would collect flowers, leaves, acorns, pine cones, seed pods, all types of other things that she would tell me were evidence of fairies. When I got older, it was something that kept me very creative. Since I was older, my mother actually started to share more of her ideas with me. I still often paint many things that come from my mom’s creativity. Creativity can come from anywhere, and fairytales teach to keep your eyes open. To look at the world in a different way, be imaginative. With Fairytales there are no limitations.
Why did you decide to approach Lockwood with your ideas, rather than other developers?
I choose Lockwood over all the developers on Home because they are my absolute favorite. Boring answer? Well, It has to do with the amount of stunning detail they put into everything. I have been amazed every time I step into one of their spaces, whether it be public or private, the architecture is beautiful. In Lockwood’s fashion department they also put forth a great deal of detail, but many of their costumes are futuristic. I wanted to see my favorite developer introduce something a bit not so serious and a little more fun and whimsical.
How did you first approach Lockwood? What kind of materials did you send them? Can you tell us anything about the process that led to these new products?
Approaching Lockwood was probably the most intimidating step in the entire process. I kept going back and forth with myself about it, send or not to send? Finally, I stopped being so cowardly and shot them an email including all the designs I had completed. I was quite surprised to get an email back, to be honest. The designs I had for them were not very detailed — just sketches, not even 3D models. I had a basic Wacom tablet and Paint Tool SAI, which I was still trying to learn. There were nineteen individual outfits that I had sketched out and colored, because you don’t want to send something boring. Bright colors always add more appeal.
The process itself was something of course that I have never experienced. It was very pleasant to work with Lockwood. It was smooth, and really stress free for me. After the first email, I was contacted by their wonderful Product Manager, Megan. From that point on, Megan contacted me with any news or information.
The first offerings in the Fairytales series are the King and Queen of Hearts, well known from nursery rhymes. Will there be other Fairytales costumes? can you say anything about them?
When the King and Queen of Hearts were debuted in x7 I was so excited. It was enough for me to say that if Lockwood were to not release anything more, it was a pleasure to have one costume that came from something that was my idea. I know that Lockwood mentioned more costumes, but it is a little soon to be certain. By the amount of beautiful details that went into the King and Queen of Hearts, any future products in the Fairytale line will be just as stunning.
Will this series extend beyond costumes? The PR video shows a pair of thrones. Are these part of the series? What about other products, such as custom locomotions or personal spaces?
The Fairytale series I expected to only be costumes, though I had so much fun doing the concepts that I have ideas for furniture brewing up in my head. Of course it is a bit soon to say if there will be any furniture inspired by the series or not. In fact, the thrones in the PR video are an existing item of Lockwood’s — it is an item that can be sent to friends in the Gift Machine. They are not a part of the series, but they are a lovely piece of furniture that coincides with the King and Queen outfits, wouldn’t you say? I am actually unsure if there will be any other products such as locomotions or personal spaces. It would be quite nice if such products were available in the future. Especially locomotions, since they are extremely popular.
Do you have other ideas for different themes after this has been completed? If so, is there anything you can tell us about them?
Before I contacted Lockwood I had plenty of ideas that I personally would have loved to see on Home. Though I only sent the Fairytale themes to Lockwood, I would really like to see some other things on Home. I have some ideas that have to do with all types of mythology. I also have some ideas for a more abstract and artsy form of unconventional fashions. I have plenty of ideas, and fairytales are not the only things I want to bring to Home.
Disregarding practicalities for a moment, where would you like to take your design ideas?
Personally, if I could take my designs anywhere, I would love to have my designs seen by a well known video game developer. I really like beautiful environments and soft colors. I have always loved Hayao Miyazaki’s films — I love the stories, and how the protagonist is always a strong female. I love the airy environments and astonishing fantasies in the films. I would love to design an outfit for a character, or even creatures, or environments.
What advice would you have for other people who wish to design virtual items in Home?
For people who wish to design for Home, take a chance. If I could go back and give myself some advice, I would have to tell myself to be brave, get out there, take the shot. If you miss, try again. Don’t let anything hold you back. If your artistic ability is limited to stick figures, there are other ways to share your ideas. I am a firm believer that the written word is just as powerful as images. If you can describe and give an idea with a clear mental image, send them your ideas in written word. When I was a kid, I used to hate it when people would say “If you don’t ask, you don’t know if they will say yes or no.” But it’s so true, so I’m going to say something similar. If you don’t try, you won’t ever know.
A special thanks to Jennifer for taking the time to answer these questions, and to Lockwood for providing us the opportunity to contact her. Lockwood will soon be posting more of Jennifer’s designs on their Facebook page for the community to vote on.
February 7th, 2013 by SealWyf_ | 3 comments
SealWyf is a museum database programmer, who has been active in online communities since before the Internet, and in console gaming since the PS1. In games, she prefers the beautiful and quirky, and anything with a strong storyline. She is obsessed with creating new aesthetic experiences in PlayStation Home.
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Jennifer your answers to all these questions are just so unique and real. As you know all too well I am a true believer in fairies as you mentioned. As I went down memory lane with you on your interview I was able to see the beauty of what is really real in this world which is not just black, white, and to some people gray but all these along with the pastel, bright, flat and shiny beautiful colors that surrounds each and everyone of us at all times. You are just so amazing and so sharing of your gift. Looking forward to seeing more of your art and reading more of your thoughts and advice.
I don’t often bother reading interviews, coz I generally don’t care much if I’m honest! But this interested me, I like it when Joe Soap gets a chance to shine y’know? And I’m happy to see that LKWD are willing to give these things (and people) a chance too.
Well done LKWD! But particularly well done to Jennifer for taking those scary first steps. You might not like it much but the saying is true (as it’d be said where Im from) “If ye dinnae shoogle the tree, yeil’ no git an apple!”
This is very inspiring. I, too am an artist. I’m more into the traditional Japanese attire, adding a modern/futuristic touch to the different articles of clothing. I don’t have a real outlet for my art work, but Ms. Whitebread has opened my eyes to the possibilities that are out there. So, I’m gonna showcase my ideas as well.