Houston Community College Mascot- SWOOP

During my internship at HCC-TV, I pitched a project to create a rigged version of the HCC mascot, Swoop the Eagle.  I decided that since it was an internship, why not use this opportunity to expand my portfolio with a skill that I specifically wanted to get better at?

Final version 1

Final version 2

Final face

Below is the winding pathway I took to create this project.  

First, I created assets for the project during spring break. I searched the internet to find png or jpg versions of the mascot to begin the process. I pulled one into Illustrator and began separating out layers for his arms and legs. Then, for fun, I created a mock-up in Cinema 4D (pre-ZBrush). 

After I showed what I had created during the spring break, I was invited to work alongside the Communication Department and Brand Manager to bring SWOOP to Life.  In the last six days of my internship, he decided that he liked the head design of a different illustrator than the source material, so I swapped out his head, and the results are as you see above.  Yay, Swoop!!