Instead of decorating in neons and grids, I’ve instead taken a more pragmatic approach and focused on construction method - in the same vein that conceptual starship design incorporates plating and panels. Realistically survival in space is reliant on adapting the materials you have to solve problems, which is why NASA are experimenting with 3D printing as an extremely useful resource for the future of space expeditions. On earth we’ve already seen 3D printed firearms, so this builds upon that idea, combined with the aesthetics of sci-fi vehicles/robots/gundams/model kits etc. As such I’ve divided the weapon up into modular panels that give the impression of having been self-assembled, sectioned into different colours - peppered with various decals.

Two colour schemes that really stuck out to me were yellow / grey / muted blues like in the reference material in the center of the moodboard - partly out of admiration for that yellow power loader Ripley uses in aliens (which in turn is based on earth moving equipment); and an additional M4 option with assorted bright greens - as can be seen in the lower right corner of the originally posted moodboard to poly count.

More info can be found on the original WIP polycount thread here:
Polycount WIP thread[polycount.com]








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