martinhoulden.com

opticneuralinterface (ONI.DS) (under construction)

opticneuralinterface is my design studio's name: (opticneuralinterface Design Studio). This website aims to explore the different elements of my design theory, putting them into practice with various materials, gaining an insight into the varied approaches taken by me as a designer.

The design studio website is currently under construction but content and content themes can be previewed at deviantART and imagineFX

Fantasy Fighters ([FF]) (http://www.fantasyfighters.net)

Fantasy Fighters is a project started by Martin Ejstrup in 2001, and later joint-owned by Martin Houlden. Originally started as an online gaming clan Fantasy Fighters is now unfortunately in hiatus. However, the creation of the upcoming webcomic, written and illustrated by me may hopefully revive the website - and if not, then at least stand as a memoir to the clan and the people that once used it.

The webcomic itself will go on regardless - and will be used as an oppurtunity to practice and polish my writing, narrative and illustrative skills. The first issue is expected to be released in February/March 2008.

one.last.chance. (OLC) (under construction)

One Last Chance is a graphic novel project started in 2003, with the intention of creating an in-depth, believable world with exciting characters, events and locations that not only provide a high quality narritive but an engrossing environment. Due to its scale the project is not due for production in the near future, but the upcoming website will provide adequate insight until then.

Realm of Crude (ROC) (under construction)

The Realm of Crude is an all-encompassing journey into chaos that started in 2000 and is still going today. Spread over 6 chapters, 3 side-stories, 2 games and an intimidating red folder, the Realm of Crude chronicles the in-jokes of two best friends and the journeys into the world of bedlam. (not for the feint-hearted!)

Final Fantasy VII (FFVII) (under construction)

Final Fantasy VII is a game released in 1997 by Squaresoft. It is commonly regarded as the best game ever made, and had a substantial influence on my life and the route it was to take. To this day, I feel few things have come close to what this game achieved, and feel obliged to forever delve into its hidden depths. In 2000, Martin Houlden and Christopher Fairholm first conceptualised a Trading Card Game based on its universe, and as the game has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary the game design is back on!

This project will serve to allow me to practice and better understand not only elements of interactivity and game design, but also production, management and asset creation.

Music (under construction)

In 1995, i first picked up a guitar - and to this day, i have not stopped playing. I am currently in the process of writing an album "Ups and Downs", and is written one song per month, reflecting on the various emotions that someone feels in a year in a place a long way from home. The album will be largely instrumental, primarily guitar, but includes piano and synthesised sounds.


	Please note that this site is still heavily under construction Welcome Martinhoulden.com is the online guide to all projects created, co-created, run and maintained by Martin Houlden. The main front interface serves as a hub to all associated projects, made accessible from one simple to use website. The ultimate aim of this website is to grant the viewer an overall perspective of who I am and what I do. About Me My name is Martin Houlden, born 16th November 1983. I am studying Computer Games Art at Teesside University based in the North of England, and am currently working as a placement concept artist at Blitz Games Ltd in Royal Leamington Spa in the Midlands of England For more professional information, go to Curriculum Vitae For a collection of my best work, go to Portfolio For commission and contact information, go to Contact Work Ethic I aim to be very flexible with a wide range of interests, applicable skills and core inspirations. I believe the key to happiness is adaptability and variability - and this follows through in my work ethic. I am to be a well-rounded individual who does not specialise in just one area, but rather aims for the grander goal of being competent in many areas. My WorkFlow - Problems and Scale At this moment in time, my goal of becoming a well-rounded individual is at constant odds with my desire to make everything i do to it's highest quality. With rare exception all my projects are created entirely by me, and i receive no help in their realisation. This regretably means that my projects take a long time to see light, as I am not being paid for any of them, and I am still very much learning. To drop any one of my projects so that i might finish just one is not an option. They are all as important to me as eachother and though it might take longer to make as many as I am doing, I wouldn't have it any other way. This website serves to rectify the delay in all of my projects having a true home updated and accessible elsewhere other than my sketch and notebook.		opticneuralinterface (ONI.DS) (under construction) opticneuralinterface is my design studio's name: (opticneuralinterface Design Studio). This website aims to explore the different elements of my design theory, putting them into practice with various materials, gaining an insight into the varied approaches taken by me as a designer. The design studio website is currently under construction but content and content themes can be previewed at deviantART and imagineFX Fantasy Fighters ([FF]) (http://www.fantasyfighters.net) Fantasy Fighters is a project started by Martin Ejstrup in 2001, and later joint-owned by Martin Houlden. Originally started as an online gaming clan Fantasy Fighters is now unfortunately in hiatus. However, the creation of the upcoming webcomic, written and illustrated by me may hopefully revive the website - and if not, then at least stand as a memoir to the clan and the people that once used it. The webcomic itself will go on regardless - and will be used as an oppurtunity to practice and polish my writing, narrative and illustrative skills. The first issue is expected to be released in February/March 2008. one.last.chance. (OLC) (under construction) One Last Chance is a graphic novel project started in 2003, with the intention of creating an in-depth, believable world with exciting characters, events and locations that not only provide a high quality narritive but an engrossing environment. Due to its scale the project is not due for production in the near future, but the upcoming website will provide adequate insight until then. Realm of Crude (ROC) (under construction) The Realm of Crude is an all-encompassing journey into chaos that started in 2000 and is still going today. Spread over 6 chapters, 3 side-stories, 2 games and an intimidating red folder, the Realm of Crude chronicles the in-jokes of two best friends and the journeys into the world of bedlam. (not for the feint-hearted!) Final Fantasy VII (FFVII) (under construction) Final Fantasy VII is a game released in 1997 by Squaresoft. It is commonly regarded as the best game ever made, and had a substantial influence on my life and the route it was to take. To this day, I feel few things have come close to what this game achieved, and feel obliged to forever delve into its hidden depths. In 2000, Martin Houlden and Christopher Fairholm first conceptualised a Trading Card Game based on its universe, and as the game has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary the game design is back on! This project will serve to allow me to practice and better understand not only elements of interactivity and game design, but also production, management and asset creation. Music (under construction) In 1995, i first picked up a guitar - and to this day, i have not stopped playing. I am currently in the process of writing an album "Ups and Downs", and is written one song per month, reflecting on the various emotions that someone feels in a year in a place a long way from home. The album will be largely instrumental, primarily guitar, but includes piano and synthesised sounds.