Help Designing an Education Resource

[stef1793]

Hi everyone! I am not sure if this is the correct place to post this, but I am looking to contract a designer to assist with developing a downloadable paper model as an education resource.

I am a teacher partnering with the Hungarian Veterans' Association in Canada with the goal of developing a paper model of a Hungarian Huszar/Hussar soldier from the Revolutions of 1848. They are re-designing their website with a focus on historical education, and thought it would be a fun idea to have a figure anyone can download. The model would ideally be some combination of realistic, detailed and have all historical details; the pose would basically be a soldier riding a horse with a raised sword.

I have several ideas in my head in terms of design but we are looking for an experienced designer to discuss this with and see what's actually achievable and translatable into papercraft and what is not. Since this would be meant for mass consumption, I was thinking something either simple with alot of detail or medium difficulty construction; although I'm not really sure what a "medium" difficulty build would look like but I initially envisioned something similar to Zio Prudenzio's Hussar model, but with some parts simplified, like a 2D sword. Alternatively, I think the easiest approach is to simply re-texture his model and make some small changes since it already has everything we need

We are still settling on a specific unit to base the design on in terms of details, but you can see some examples attached to this post. The HVA has a budget set aside for this so we are looking to mainly see what is realistically possible, the time it would take to design and the costs associated with it.


Let me know what you think and if you've got any questions!

[Vermin_King]

My first thought was to modify Zio's model, and then I read further.

I think this would be your best bet

[stef1793]

Originally Posted by Vermin_King

My first thought was to modify Zio's model, and then I read further.

I think this would be your best bet

I agree! Do you think that its an appropriate difficulty level for a general audience? And do you know anyone who is able to do it?

Our biggest concern is European copyright on Zio's model...we aren't sure how it works. In my mind it wouldn't matter because we aren't generating any profit from it.

[airdave]

You can't modify Zio's models for this use unless they have been declared of free use.
I have no idea the status of his estate and paper models.
Maybe someone else on the forum knows more?
If so, modifying one of his rider and horse models would definitely be an option.
Keeping in mind, its still a considerable amount of work to do,
and the finished model well exceeds the average web visitor's skill.

My thinking is more of a flat 2D layered model, maybe a small diorama like vintage paper models were.
A backdrop, with other scenery pieces and 2D figure up front?

Another project has appeared for me, so I don't think I can commit to this, but
we have many fans of old 2D diorama models here, maybe someone is interested in creating something for you.

[FRD]

And remember, the instruction is paramount if you want to see it easily assembled.

[stef1793]

Originally Posted by airdave

You can't modify Zio's models for this use unless they have been declared of free use.
I have no idea the status of his estate and paper models.
Maybe someone else on the forum knows more?
If so, modifying one of his rider and horse models would definitely be an option.
Keeping in mind, its still a considerable amount of work to do,
and the finished model well exceeds the average web visitor's skill.

My thinking is more of a flat 2D layered model, maybe a small diorama like vintage paper models were.
A backdrop, with other scenery pieces and 2D figure up front?

Another project has appeared for me, so I don't think I can commit to this, but
we have many fans of old 2D diorama models here, maybe someone is interested in creating something for you.

Regarding the use of his models, I attached a screenshot from the reconstructed site. We aren't planning to use anything for profit and would gladly credit Zio should we go that route. I don't know at this point though.

[Vermin_King]

I doubt I could find it now, but someone did a mod while Fabrizio was still alive and emailed him. The answer was pretty much what was listed there. Give him credit for the original model and not for profit

I suppose that if I can't find it, it never happened, right? Unless someone else can find it

[RyanShort1]

Originally Posted by Vermin_King

I doubt I could find it now, but someone did a mod while Fabrizio was still alive and emailed him. The answer was pretty much what was listed there. Give him credit for the original model and not for profit

I suppose that if I can't find it, it never happened, right? Unless someone else can find it

Back before Hotmail deleted my account for inactivity, I had emailed with Zio about doing some redraws. I believe he did have them copyrighted, so I think you would need permission to actually use them. Somewhere - in a box of papers probably down at the family ranch, I believe I still have a printed out copy of that email, but it would probably take weeks or months of searching to find it and I'm not currently planning on resurrecting my project unless an old file or two shows up.

I'd say it's probably best to start from scratch and do your own work.

[airdave]

Looks like most, if not all of his models, are dated and copyrighted ©2012 F. Prudentiati

So, where does Zio Prudensio come from then?
Or are you guys all getting his name wrong?

Even if he gave a permission or two, doesn't mean it's blanket permission.
And just because its "not for profit" (free model), it could still be a commercial use.

However I tend to agree, based on the history, it appears as though he probably would have been okay with it.

Still, I agree with Ryan, "it's probably best to start from scratch and do your own work"


And once again, I remind you of the general user of this free/promotional model.
Serious paper modelers tend to grab everything and store it away in their "collections" never to be built.
So it doesn't matter how complicated it is.

The average website visitor is an inexperienced modeler or parent, or youngster looking at a fun project.
And something much simpler might be expected and better received.

Once again I suggest you consider something like an antique style paper model.
The type that would have been offered around the time of the Soldier you are trying to represent.
These theatre style displays were offered in the tens of thousands.
Every scene you could imagine done in a shadow box style, or theater window,
or just a tabletop standup with background and foreground figure.

[stef1793]

We could also have someone design it from scratch to fit out needs. It would be paid-is anyone interested?