Mezi řádky

2023

Technical support: Max Bolf

The initial concept of my project started in my third year of high school when I came up with the idea of creating a game that combines a digital and physical form of media. The result was a short click-and-point adventure game called Kytice, which I wanted to make my graduation project. 

In the final graduation project, which is created in Unity using the Adventure Creator plugin, there is a total of three levels – that is, three poems that the player goes through by reading them. The player’s goal is to use the interactive environment to act out the storylines and find playfulness in what can be considered a boring piece of literature. 

The first level is called Ptáče (The Bird), based on a poem by František Čelakovský from Ohlasy písní českých (Echoes of Bohemian songs). The second level called Kytice (A Bouquet) is from a collection of the same name by Karel Jaromír Erben, and the game ends with the most extensive poem of the three, Jahody (Strawberries) from the Rukopis Královedvorský (The Manuscript of Dvůr Králové). 

The game consists of poems that were created during the National Revival and introduces to the player not only the poems themselves but also the era in which they were written. 

Linocut

I’ve always enjoyed combining different types of media. When working on the graduation project, I have chosen the technique of linocut. I wanted to bring the physical prints into a digital medium and make them into an interactive workpiece, that would entertain the player and give them a better experience than from just watching it. 

After thinking the idea through, the process of creation started by sketching and laying out all the visuals into plans and individual assets. When sketching, I worked with a monochromatic colour scheme, which was just black, white and grey. The more colourful objects were highlighted only for better orientation in the early version. However, the final levels were done in a colour, typical for each of them. 

Everything then had to be redrawn on linoleum and engraved. This part of the process was very time-consuming. Before printing, it was necessary to mix the colour for each level, then spread it with a roller, apply it to the engraved linoleum and finally, put it into the press. The next day, after all the individual prints had dried, I scanned them, cut them and edited them in Photoshop to the final form. 

In my free time, I play the piano, so I created my own soundtrack for the game. Stanislav Smoček, my piano teacher, helped me with it. He wrote three pieces, which we discussed together and fine-tuned so that the vibe is as close as possible to each of the poems’ vibes. Then I recorded the result on the piano. 

I don’t consider the game finished yet. There are many things that need to be addressed in the future and improved.