For my independent learning project, I chose to learn more about special effects and lighting within Unity since that is what the majority of my final project was based around.  My took the Lynda course : "Unity 5: 3D essential training" along with Unity's visual effects manual.

The first thing I learned was how to create particles using special effects.  Once you are in Unity, you can add a component called "particle system" onto an object.  This is where I made the cool dust floating particles above the house and playhouse in my final project.  I was able to learn how to adjust the speed, duration, size, and shape of them.

Another important tool I learned which I think is the most important is lighting.  After taking Adam Crisp's course on mood and spot lighting, he made a really important point that lighting can help guide the viewer throughout your story without actually using signs.  I was able to do this within my story by creating a flashlight effect.  I created a spot light with an opening to just cover the forefront trees.  This pointed towards the next area I wanted to viewer to go to.   I then played around with the halo tool which helped light up some areas where you wanted to attention to go such as a game object.  After playing with that, I was able to change the directional light so it had a gloomy effect for the entire terrain.  I then added a blue fog effect which brought the entire erie feel of Stranger Things together.

Overall, I was pleased with this course and the other materials I found to help me enhance my special effects and lighting techniques.  I really feel these two aspects brought my entire project together!