“Half of the time when I start something. I don’t have an initial concept in my head; I just start modelling, and when the model is ready I create a story based on it, and then an image. The idea is then born along the process of creation. “Far, Far Away” was done in this exact, same way.”
http://www.3dtotal.com/team/Tutorials_3/makingof_far_far_away/far_away_01.php