Low poly art
Under Low Poly Art art is meant to create a network of just a few points related figures. The connection between the individual points results in triangular areas. It does not necessarily have to be triangles, but inserted and compressed triangles are most likely to convey a spatial impression.
Born of necessity
Creating models with a network of polygons is a key method in creating computer graphics. The more points an object has, the more computation-intensive the graphics are for the computer. In the 1980s and 1990s, when 3D modeled computer graphics appeared, the performance of the machines was still very low. Games and animation that wanted to create a spatial impression were therefore dependent on designing the objects with as few points as possible. Game figures and objects were therefore very angular for a long time and curves were avoided as much as possible. While computer games had to stick to these angular figures for a long time, animated films could use more complex models even earlier. The rendering did not have to work in real time, but could be calculated in a long process. However, creating individual frames could sometimes take hours.
End and beginning of the low poly kind
With the performance of graphics chips, the number of polygons possible in a model has increased. Soon the nets became so fine-meshed that curves were no longer a problem. As the need disappeared, low poly art emerged as an artistic genre. The minimization of graphics and images created a new effect. In a way, the style ties in with earlier artistic movements such as impressionism and cubism in that objects are broken down into geometric figures.
The low poly style also had its renaissance in the field of computer games. Although more complex graphics have long been possible, the style is preferred to give the games an aesthetic concept. In addition to a number of indie titles, there were also games from major publishers in this genre with Grow Up (2016).
Today, Low Poly Art is finding its way into many areas of product and graphic design. Graphic artists like Timothy J. Reynolds have understood how not to break down pictures into individual forms. Rather, they create a new spatial and playful character with their works. Even if the resulting worlds radiate a clear simplicism , their creation is by no means easy. The artist must be able to think deeply into the perspective to be created in order to bring out perspectives and colors. In the meantime, artists also go beyond pure polygon graphics. Some purposely break open the nets to create multi-layered images. Others bring the virtual objects back into the real world through sculptures.
Programs like Photoshop make it possible today to create unique polygon art images from photographs with many clicks. The photos are broken down into hundreds of triangles and then re-colored.
See also
Web links
- Geometries - the current trend in graphics and design
- Low poly animals