ISA SOLEDAD SVA 2026 THESIS
Santa Joán, a developing city deep within the enchanted rainforest, holds an intricate ecosystem of mystical creatures and humans alike. Alejandro Salvador is a dedicated astronomer and fiercely loyal to the Santa Joán military. One starry night, Alejandro encounters the mysterious, winged Jijis, of the Monaficen, bird-like creatures who inhabited the lush mountains long before humans. Beneath the illuminated night, Alejandro discovers, through Jijis, that all of his life’s studies were undeniably wrong. After exposing the truth of what exists beyond their world, and Alejandro’s doubts are discovered from his open notebook, Jijis is forced to make a decision... could she alone bridge the long-standing gap between Monaficen and human, or escape the fatal consequences of trying?
STORYBOARD
This is a rough board of the first scene in Alejandro Salvador’s observatory on the top of the mountain. Here, he sneaks away from his lavish party after something blurs through his telescope. Through the quiet night and swaying trees, Alejandro encounters a Monaficen creature, Jijis, for the first time.
These boards are of when we are first introduced to Alejandro’s longtime family friend, Jairo Aguilar, who doesn’t want to discourage Alejandro, but tries to redirect his interests in the only way he knows how to.
CHARACTER DESIGN
Lineup of Domingo Cruz, military leader, Jairo Aguilar, soldier and friend to Alejandro Salvador, soldier and astronomer, and Jijinaken (Jijis), the Monaficen creature. A young Tia Maracuya and young Domingo are featured.
These are some of the first concept drawings I did of the characters.
LOCATIONS
These locations are loosely based on the Andes mountain range and the Amazon rainforest, inspired by personal observation of Bogota, and various other regions of Colombia.
Much of the time spent in Colombia is spent in the passenger of some transport, allowing ample time to appreciate the misty twisting mountains and the buildings that trickle down from them mimicking a multicolor mosaic wall. The churches in Latin America are some of the most beautiful and ornate, and at times much of the community revolves around its respective institution. The natural environment and architecture brought a lot of the charm into the world of Psalm of the Monaficen, and created a space for all of the characters to come to life. The design of the architecture in the world features big windows, suggesting to the relationship to freedom in the society of Santa Joan, and vibrant colors, which are often in extreme juxtaposition to one another. The deep reds and the vibrant greens; nature versus humanity. The reds, most often found within man-made structures, are encroached by the greens, the aspect of nature that does not simply cease.
Enjoy, thank you!
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