XR Storytelling, Experience Design, and Virtual Production
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I have started exploring AI tools that use interactive evolutionary or “breeding” algorithms and generative adversarial networks (BigGAN, styleGAN, etc). The Frankenstein and Sherlock concept art shown here was done through supervised GAN breeding at Artbreeder, to develop more diverse transmedia character designs for games.
“Frankenstein AI” concept art (all graphic elements created through AI “breeding” and artificial selection at artbreeder.com, Topher Maraffi 2020.Frankenstein creature designs generated by AI breeding with source imagery of Boris Karloff and Rory Kinnear, and then combined into a male and female hybrid (Topher Maraffi, 2020).“Sherlock AI” concept art (all graphic elements created through AI “breeding” and artificial selection at artbreeder.com, Topher Maraffi 2020.Sherlock AI character designs from cross-breeding features from 11 media representations, and then adjusting genes for more diverse game characters (Topher Maraffi, 2020).“Topher AI Deep Fake” Self Portrait generated at Artbreeder.com, Fall 2020
360 Photo-Imaging and Digital Joiners
“Broadwalk Joiner” Hollywood Beach 360 tiny world digital composite by Topher Maraffi, 2019.“The Southernmost Joiner” Key West 360 tiny world digital composite by Topher Maraffi, 2018.“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Disney Springs 360 tiny world digital composite by Topher Maraffi, 2019.“Quiet Before the Dancing” Delray Beach tiny world digital composite by Topher Maraffi, 2019.“Le Petit Princess de Sanibel” 360 tiny world digital composite by Topher Maraffi, 2019.“Totem in Miami” 360 tiny world print by Topher Maraffi, 2019.“Miracle Joe Searching for Che Che” 360 Joiner digital composite by Topher Maraffi, 2019“Savannah Riverfront” 360 tiny world print on canvas (38×38 inches) by Topher Maraffi, 2018.“Savannah Tree Squared” (Detail) 360 print on paper (24×36 inches) by Topher Maraffi, 2018.“Savannah Market” 360 tiny world print on paper (26×32 inches) by Topher Maraffi, 2018.“Aliens Among Us” 360 tiny-world digital composite by Topher Maraffi, 2018“I’ll Go Walking, After Sunset” Anaheim Convention Center 360 tiny world digital composite by Topher Maraffi, 2018.“Hockscotch World” David Hockney inspired 360 joiner digital composite print on canvas (38×38 inches) by Topher Maraffi, 2018“Hockscotch at the College Building” David Hockney inspired joiner digital composite print on canvas (55×25 inches) by Topher Maraffi, 2018“Self Portrait Meme”, digital composite print on canvas (32×24 inches) and painted with acrylics by Topher Maraffi, 2018.“Lab Monitor” Joiner digital composite print on canvas (36×32 inches) and acrylic painting by Topher Maraffi, 2017.“POV: Hitch Throws the Sign to Grasshopper” digital composite print on canvas (42×26 inches) and acrylic painting by Topher Maraffi, 2017.“STEAM: Walt and Dali have Tea at the Beaufort World’s Fair” mixed-media digital collage on layers of glass (15×12 inches) in homage to the multi-plane camera, 2016.“Ritual Fire of Grief” acrylic on canvas painting in four panels, 2014 USCB Faculty Exhibition.
I am an Assistant Professor of Realtime VFX and Virtual Production at NCSU, where I teach game design, 3D animation, and extended reality courses in the Art + Design Dept.
Topher Maraffi 