J. Riggin Animation & Visualization

Product Ideation & Design Virtual Prototyping

Today, my primary use of 3D visualization has been to explore ideas, communicate concepts, and create rapid virtual prototypes. This efficient design approach allows for low-cost exploratory development to occur and provides a means of obtaining participatory product feedback from stakeholders during proof-of-concept research studies. Requirements for hardware designs can be vetted and tested before costly physical models are produced.

(Viewable video)

Instructional video installation guide for new product pilot

Modeled in Maya.
Composited in Adobe Affter Effects.
Edited in Adobe Premiere.
Delivered via interactive mobile app product guide.

Mobile Butane Charger & Carry Case Concept

Modeled in Maya.

Design Evolution
(Viewable clip)

Modeled and Animated in Maya.

Hi-Fidelity Product Exploration

Modeled in Maya.

Next-Generation Verizon Router
Customizable Panel Concept

Modeled in Maya.

This model was created as an exploratory study to provide a means for customers to personalize their Verizon home router. Research indicated that customer premises equipment although necessary, was not particularly visually appealing in the home.

As we set out to build a next-generation broadband home router, my concept was to allow for customized covers to be used to disquise or personalize the hardware. The router would easily accept custom accessory panels that could be purchased by customers. A brushed nickel cover would be provided initially and other panel finishes could be ordered with an option to have customer provided art printed on a personalized cover.

Motorola Droid

Modeled in Maya.

This device model I created was for use in various concept design explorations including: Accessories, connected-car experience, phone as a personalized FiOS TV remote, and other pervasive mobile technology concepts I investigated at Verizon.

Visualization

My recent engagements have not required much 3D scenario visualization or simulation. However, I have worked in areas that included a lot of this work. The samples below are representitive of other design efforts I have performed.

Alias|Wavefront, Maya, and Softimage were used to build, animate, and render these 100% computer generated imagery (CGI) scenes that were used in video productions and interactive multimedia presentations. Much of the work below was created on Silicon Graphics workstations. Compositing was done in Discreet Combustion, Smoke, and Adobe After Effects. This area of graphics and design is a deep personal passion of mine and I include this work as it was instrumental to my professional development.

Land

Over-the-Horizon Cooperative Engagement Capability Concept

Modeled & Animated in Maya. MEL scripting for radar movement,threat asset movement and tracking. Particle system implemented for shoreline surf collision simulation.

USMC HAWK Missile Launch

Modeled & Animated in Maya. Particle system for missle exhaust simulation.

Sea

USS Los Angeles SSN-688 Fast Attack Submarine
(Viewable clip)

Modeled & Animated in Maya.

SSBN Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine
(Viewable clip)

Modeled & Animated in Maya.

Aegis Cruiser Flyby with SM-3 Launch

Modeled & Animated in Maya.

Aegis Cruiser Evening Patrol
(Viewable clip)

Modeled & Animated in Maya. MEL scripting for radar movement and particle system collision detection for bow and stern wash simulation.

Safe Flight Concept for FAA

Modeled & Animated in Maya. MEL scripting and partical sytem environmental effects.

Air

MALD UAV Concept

Modeled & Animated in Maya with set-driven-keys and MEL scripting for missile payload launch simulation based on a particle system.

E-2C Hawkeye

Modeled & Animated in Maya with MEL scripting for propeller animation and particle system contrail simulation.

F/A-18E

Modeled & Animated in Maya.

F/A-18E

Modeled & Animated in Maya.

Space

Mars Rover with Spectral Imager Concept
(Viewable clip)

Modeled & Animated in Maya.

The conceptual instrument visualization was performed during R&D of the NASA Mars Rover project. A representation of the actual fielded product is on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. I was lucky enough to stumble across this during my travels.

NASA NEAR Shoemaker Spacecraft Eros Orbit Insertion Telemetry Driven Visualization

Modeled & Animated in Maya.
Credit to JHU/APL colleague Steven P. Gribben for NEAR spacecraft model.

The image taken of Eros during the mission is on display in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - Chantilly, Virginia. I was lucky enough to stumble across this during my travels. A physical model of the NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft hangs on display in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

(Viewable video)

Interstellar Probe Mission Concept Visualization

Modeled & Animated in Maya.

This concept visualization was produced as part of an early exploration into a future NASA mission design for an Interstellar Probe. The visualization supported a proposal to acquire feasibility study funding. This effort is in the news today. Listen to the NPR story.

Data-Driven Simulation

Similar in context to the visualization examples, the primary difference for this work is the output was created to accurately represent an actual data set. The goal was to remove all aspects of artistic license and ensure a hi-fidelity of technical acccuracy was present. The process of using data to create these representations was as important as the final output itself.

SM-3 LaDAR Simulation

Animated in Strata 3D.

The data visualization was performed during R&D of the SM-3 project. A representation of the actual fielded product is on display in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - Chantilly, Virginia. I was lucky enough to stumble across this during my travels. Some projects actually involve "Rocket Science!"

New Building Integration & Lab Exhaust Study

Created with Illustrator, Photoshop, and Maya.

This geo-spatial simulation represented the integration of two proposed buildings into the JHU/APL campus. All aspects of the simulation are to scale and the terrain model is accurate to one foot and based on topographic mapping and architectural plans.

I devised a method to produce Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) from topographic maps which were readily available. I integrated the proposed contruction modifications into the baseline topographic files I created. After the new data were integrated with the base topographic map, I was able to produce a scalar map to generate the accurate terrain mesh. A variety of simulations were produced for the project.

M.S. Interaction Design & Information Architecture
Project/Thesis:
Modal affectivity on users of 3D environmental simulation and visualization

Modeled and Simulated with Maya and Shockwave.

The final project/thesis work for my M.S. in Interaction Design and Information Architecture surrounded visualization of complex data sets. I choose a complete set of architectural blueprints as my data source and presented the information through a variety of modalities. This clip hilights a linear virtual 3D walk-thru of a scale finshed model of how the building would appear when built to plan. I also created an interactive VR walk through of the space as a seperate viewing modality.