Character Design

Tip

Click play

This course includes a number of insightful videos that describe and explain the nuts and bolts of animation, helping you grasp ideas and review information at your own pace.

Observe the techniques shown in the videos. Pause the videos to practise or experiment with steps or tools. If a video presents challenges, pause it to attempt the tasks or find out the solution.

Have fun, and ask us if you need any help!

Tip

Mind map physical characteristics

When looking for research imagery, it often helps to create another mind map made up of keywords that describe your character's physical characteristics. After you come up with all the keywords, select a few keywords to aid in your research process.

Practice

Task 1: Create a character concept

Develop your skills in preparing for character design by creating a character concept. Use this learning task to practise:

• Mind mapping techniques to generate ideas and shape your character's physical and psychological traits.
• Writing up a character bio to describe your character in more detail and help to inform your character design choices
• Using a reference board to categorise your ideas and ensure a consistent and engaging character design.

What tools or resources do you need for this task?

Make sure you have access to:

• Pencil/pen and paper, or device and a digital tool (e.g. Adobe Photoshop)
• Phone camera (if using pen/pencil and paper).

What steps should you take to complete this task?

4 Hours

Set aside up to four hours to complete steps 2-4 below. Remember to save your work as you go if you're using a digital tool.

1. Revisit the Character Bio and Research subtopic to reinforce what you know if you need to. If you haven’t already, watch Jade’s mind-mapping video to help you work through Step 2 of this task.
2. Mind Map a Character Concept (30-60 minutes)
   1. Start by selecting a central idea for your character concept and write this in the centre of your page or digital tool. Jot ideas about your character’s physical and psychological characteristics around the central theme.
   2. Create a web-like structure by forming branches and interconnecting ideas. Explore connections between your ideas freely. Jot more ideas down.
   3. Review your mapped ideas and prioritise the physical and psychological characteristics that strongly resonate with your character concept and storyline.
3. Create a Character Bio (30-60 minutes)
   1. Use the prioritised ideas from your mind map to describe your character’s characteristics on a new page or a digital tool.
   2. Understand what drives your character, their ambitions, desires, and what they aim to achieve in the story. Tailor your character bio to fit the intended character design, making it a solid foundation for further design and development.
   3. Define the character's personality, including their strengths and weaknesses. Review and refine the character bio as needed, ensuring it remains consistent and enhances the character's depth and appeal.
4. Create a Reference Board (1-2 hours)
   1. Collect images, colours, textures, and patterns that inspire your character concept from various sources. Categorise your inspirations based on themes or characteristics relevant to your character.
   2. Use a digital tool or a physical board to arrange and display your visuals. Add short labels explaining how each item relates to your character bio.
   3. Review the board for cohesion and easy understanding. Keep it accessible for reference during character design and animation.

What should you do after completing this task?

1. Take a moment to review your sketches and reflect on how character concepting can ignite your imagination and guide your character design.
2. If you have used paper or physical boards to create your work, use your phone to take clear and well-lit photos of your mind map, character bio, and reference map. If you have used a digital tool, save your work on your device.
3. Share photo(s) to the Forum:
   1. Select your forum thread in Forum: Character Design.
   2. Select Reply to your first Forum post.
   3. Enter the words ‘Task 1’ in your reply.
   4. Select the Post your response button, then select Edit in your reply when it shows up.
   5. Upload your photo(s) using the Attachment field.
   6. Select Save changes to share your coursework to your forum thread.
4. Get feedback on this and other learning tasks at the next Live Session – check the Live Session calendar for dates and times.

When you’re ready, move to Exploration: Character Archetypes and explore how to use archetypes like the hero and villain to enhance the depth and impact of your character designs. Get ready to start unlocking the potential of your characters!

Case Study

The Villain

As you’ve discovered, the Villain archetype is the antagonist who represents the opposite of the hero and embodies evil, cruelty, and a desire for power.

So, how do visual characteristics contribute to the Villain’s portrayal in animation? Consider the following four sets of examples.

1. Look at the four villain characters below and focus on their physical attributes. What do they all have in common? Consider their body language, expressions, shapes and colours.
   
2. Look at the villain below. What do you notice about the face and body? When identifying physical attributes, you can see that villains often have the same features.
   
   
3. Look at the three animals below. What do you think the reason is that villain designs have the same physical characteristics?
   
   The answer can be found through psychology. We often look at sharp and soft things differently; we sense danger with sharp objects. For example, many dangerous creatures often have sharp features such as teeth, eyes, claws or ears.
   Understanding how psychology works with character design can help you create a design that fits better with the character bio.
4. Look at the three sets of images below. How can specific physical characteristics in portraying villains be used to convey personality traits or emotions?
   1. 
      When villains have a hunched back/spine, this can visually convey cowardness and describe crouching or hiding.
   2. 
      When villains have a frown or scowl, this can visually convey negative emotions and anger, the opposite of positive.
   3. 
      When villains have dark sunken eyes, this can visually represent the eye mask of a criminal or thief, a way to hide one’s identity or true intent, covering the ‘windows of the soul’.

Recommendation: Know your character archetypes in depth. If you do, you can make design decisions that enhance the outcome of your overall character design.

Practice

Task 2: Create a hero character concept

Recognise how classic character models have used the hero and mentor archetypes and identify their visual characteristics to unlock the secrets of character design.

Use this learning task to develop your skills in designing a hero character concept, drawing upon the archetypes you've explored.

What tools or resources do you need for this task?

Make sure you have access to:

• Pencil/pen and paper, or device and a digital tool (e.g. Adobe Photoshop)
• Phone camera (if using pen/pencil and paper).

What steps should you take to complete this task?

2 hours

Set aside up to two hours to complete steps 2-4 below. Remember to save your work as you go if you're using a digital tool.

1. Revisit the Exploration: Character Archetypes subtopic to reinforce what you know if you need to.
2. Begin by selecting five hero characters and five mentor characters from five different shows. Ensure you choose different styles.
3. Focus on your selected characters and identify recurring visual characteristics such as appearance, expressions, and postures that are used within the hero and mentor character archetypes.
4. Using the visual characteristics you've identified, design a hero character concept that embodies the hero archetype on a page or using a digital tool.

What should you do after completing this task?

1. Take a moment to appreciate your creativity and the knowledge you have gained. Practice and exploration are the keys to sharpening your character design skills and creating engaging characters.
2. If you have used paper or physical boards to create your hero character concept, use your phone to take clear and well-lit photo(s) of it. If you have used a digital tool, save your work on your device.
3. Share photo(s) to the Forum:
   1. Select your forum thread in Forum: Character Design.
   2. Select Reply to your first Forum post.
   3. Enter the words ‘Task 2’ in your reply.
   4. Select the Post your response button, then select Edit in your reply when it shows up.
   5. Upload your photo(s) using the Attachment field.
   6. Select Save changes to share your coursework to your forum thread.
4. Get feedback on this and other learning tasks at the next Live Session – check the Live Session calendar for dates and times.

Making thoughtful design choices for your character sets the foundation for the following subtopic Silhouettes, where you'll discover how to start visually representing your character’s form to reflect your character concept.

Important

Think about who your character is

When designing a character's silhouette, consider the character's personality and role in the story. A character's silhouette should reflect their unique traits and characteristics, making it easy for the audience to identify and remember the character.

Practice

Task 3: Create dynamic silhouettes of your hero character

Practise creating silhouettes from objects and animals, and transfer your silhouette skills into character design using your hero character concept. Use this learning task to develop your ability to convey character personality and uniqueness through dynamic silhouette concepting, an invaluable skill in character design.

What tools or resources do you need for this task?

Make sure you have access to:

• Pencil/pen and paper, or device and Adobe Photoshop
• Phone camera (if using pen/pencil and paper).

What steps should you take to complete this task?

3.5 Hours

Set aside up to 3.5 hours to complete steps 2-4 below. Remember to save your work as you go if you're using Adobe Photoshop.

1. Revisit the Silhouettes subtopic to reinforce what you know if you need to. If you haven’t already, watch Jade’s silhouette video to help you with this task.

2. Identify Characters (5 mins)

   1. Begin by identifying as many characters as possible from the silhouettes featured below. This warm-up step hones your observation skills and primes your mind for silhouette creation.

3. Create Silhouettes of Objects or Animals (30 mins)
   1. Select five different objects or animals and transform them into recognisable and distinct silhouettes on a page or Adobe Photoshop.
   2. Make your silhouettes ‘readable’ so that someone unfamiliar with the subject matter can identify the silhouettes.
4. Create silhouettes of your hero character (3 hours)
   1. Referencing your character bio, create 5-10 polished silhouettes of your hero character on a page or Adobe Photoshop.
   2. Use the insights gained from Step 3 above to ensure the silhouettes effectively convey your character's personality and traits.

What should you after completing this task?

1. Review your hero character silhouettes. Consider how each silhouette uniquely portrays aspects of your hero character bio and how your silhouette concepting skills are developing.
2. If you have used paper to create your hero character silhouettes, use your phone to take clear and well-lit photo(s). If you have used Adobe Photoshop, save your work on your device.
3. Share photo(s) to the Forum:
   1. Select your forum thread in Forum: Character Design.
   2. Select Reply to your first Forum post.
   3. Enter the words ‘Task 3’ in your reply.
   4. Select the Post your response button, then select Edit in your reply when it shows up.
   5. Upload your photo(s) using the Attachment field.
   6. Select Save changes to share your coursework to your forum thread.
4. Get feedback on this and other learning tasks at the next Live Session – check the Live Session calendar for dates and times.

You've now set the stage to transition into the next subtopic, Shape Language, where you'll learn how to use this powerful design principle to further convey your character’s personality.

Important

Do you know your character?

When designing your character's shape language, it is important to consider the character's personality, backstory, and role in the story.

Use different shapes and forms to emphasise various aspects of your character's personality and story, making the character more interesting and engaging to the audience.

Practice

Task 4: Use shapes to create designs of your hero character 

Experiment with shape language and specific shapes to enhance your character design. By practising using shapes to convey personality and story in this learning task, you’ll discover how thoughtful shape selection can make your hero even more recognisable.

What tools or resources do you need for this task?

Make sure you have access to:

• Pencil/pen and paper, or device and Adobe Photoshop
• Phone camera (if using pen/pencil and paper).

What steps should you take to complete this task?

3.25 Hours

Set aside up to 3.25 hours to complete steps 2-3 below. Remember to save your work as you go if you're using Adobe Photoshop.

1. Revisit the Shape Language subtopic to reinforce what you know if you need to. If you haven’t already, watch Jade’s shape language video to help you with this task.
2. Create Three Character Designs (15 mins)
   1. Begin by using three basic shapes (circle, square, triangle) to create three distinct character designs. This warm-up step allows your creativity to flow.
      
3. Create 5-10 hero character designs (2-3 hours)
   1. Choose a range of shapes that resonated with elements of your hero character bio. Consider shapes that reflect their personality and story.
   2. Use the selected shape to create 5-10 designs on a page or Adobe Photoshop. Experiment with combinations, proportions and placement of shapes.
   3. Ensure your designs align with your hero character bio and convey personality, backstory and role in the story.

What should you do after completing this task?

1. Review your designs and think about how you would adjust them based on your creative insights. Reflect on how your shape selection influences the portrayal of your hero character and how an audience would respond.
2. If you have used paper to create your hero character designs, use your phone to take clear and well-lit photo(s). If you have used Adobe Photoshop, save your work on your device.
3. Share photo(s) to the Forum:
   1. Select your forum thread in Forum: Character Design.
   2. Select Reply to your first Forum post.
   3. Enter the words ‘Task 4’ in your reply.
   4. Select the Post your response button, then select Edit in your reply when it shows up.
   5. Upload your photo(s) using the Attachment field.
   6. Select Save changes to share your coursework to your forum thread.
4. Get feedback on this and other learning tasks at the next Live Session – check the Live Session calendar for dates and times.

When you’re ready, move to the Turnaround Model Sheets subtopic and learn how to transform your hero character designs into a consistent blueprint, detailing your character's form and shape from multiple angles.

Tip

Complex characters

You may need to create additional views for more complex character designs.

For example, a character with complex clothing or accessories may require additional views to show how these elements interact with the character's body.

Similarly, a character with a unique posture or body shape may need additional views to convey their design accurately.

Explore

Refresh your knowledge

In the videos above, you’ve noticed Jade refer to basic shapes, line of action, gestures, and anatomy.

If you need to refresh your knowledge on these foundational tools and techniques within a sketching context, you can visit the Observation Drawing topic within this Foundations module at any time. Happy exploring!

Practice

Task 5: Create a turnaround model sheet of your hero character

Grow your knowledge of character turnaround processes by creating a 4-point turnaround model sheet for your hero character. Use this learning task to practice consistency of character design by portraying multiple angles and emphasising proportions.

What tools or resources do you need for this task?

Make sure you have access to:

• Pencil/pen and paper, or device and Adobe Photoshop
• Phone camera (if using pen/pencil and paper).

What steps should you take to complete this task?

6 Hours

Set aside up to six hours to complete steps 2-5 below. Remember to save your work as you go if you're using Adobe Photoshop.

1. Review the 10-step Character Turnaround Guide in the Turnaround Model Sheets subtopic if you need to refer to detailed information when working through this learning task. If you haven’t already, watch Jade’s character turnaround video to help you with this task.
   
2. Read the character bio and look at your final design for your hero character. Familiarise yourself with the key characteristics and design elements.
3. Create a 4-point turnaround model sheet for your hero character, drawing the front, side profile, three-quarter, and back views.
4. Review each view, checking proportions and guidelines to ensure accuracy.
5. Refine your line work and add details and colour to complete the character turnaround.

What should you do after completing this task?

1. Once you’ve completed your character's turnaround model sheet, take a moment to reflect on your work. Consider how it acts as a blueprint for production teams to use as a consistent visual reference.
2. If you have used paper to create your turnaround model sheet, use your phone to take clear and well-lit photos. If you have used Adobe Photoshop, save your work on your device.
3. Share photo(s) to the Forum:
   1. Select your forum thread in Forum: Character Design.
   2. Select Reply to your first Forum post.
   3. Enter the words ‘Task 5’ in your reply.
   4. Select the Post your response button, then select Edit in your reply when it shows up.
   5. Upload your photo(s) using the Attachment field.
   6. Select Save changes to share your coursework to your forum thread.
4. Get feedback on this and other learning tasks at the next Live Session – check the Live Session calendar for dates and times.

Dive into the next subtopic, Pose and Facial Expressions, where you’ll unpack pose and expression sheets and explore their significance in helping artists and animators stay true to your character’s personality and role.

Reflection

What are your thoughts on character design so far?

Reflect on what you've created, read and watched on this topic up to now and how you're combining our technical skills, creativity and storytelling abilities.

• Consider what you've learnt about character bios, research-driven design and character archetypes – how will you ensure that your character's design stands out visually and conveys a compelling story through their appearance?
• Think about the impact of silhouettes, shape language, and turnaround model sheets on character design. Using these tools, how can you elevate your characters, making them visually appealing and more dynamic and consistent in their design?

Help yourself to succeed by planning how you can apply your learning to your character design work in the assessments for this module.

Practice

Task 6: Create pose and expression sheets of your hero character

Focus on creating pose and expression sheets that depict your hero character in different positions and display various emotions and reactions. Immerse yourself in this final Character Design learning task and better understand how movement and emotions contribute to a character’s depth.

What tools or resources do you need for this task?

Make sure you have access to:

• Pencil/pen and paper, or device and Adobe Photoshop
• Phone camera (if using pen/pencil and paper).

What steps should you take to complete this task?

6 Hours

Set aside up to six hours to complete steps 2-5 below. Remember to save your work as you go if you're using Adobe Photoshop.

1. Revisit the Poses and Facial Expressions subtopic to reinforce what you know if you need to. If you haven’t already, watch Jade’s pose and expression video to help you with this task.
2. Create a variety of dynamic poses for your hero character, ranging from simple, relaxed positions to complex, action-oriented poses that showcase the character's personality and role.
   
3. Create a range of exaggerated facial expressions for your hero character, conveying emotions and reactions to different situations.
   
4. Review and refine the poses and expressions you’ve created, ensuring clarity, coherence, and consistency with your hero character design.
5. Select the most appealing poses and expressions. Organise and assemble these selected poses and expressions into two sheets: one sheet for poses and the other sheet for expressions.

What should you do after completing this task?

1. Once you’ve completed your pose and expression sheets, think about their role in character design and how they can ensure the continuity of your hero character design throughout the animation process
2. If you have used paper to create your pose and expression sheets, use your phone to take clear and well-lit photos. If you have used Adobe Photoshop, save your work on your device.
3. Share photo(s) to the Forum:
   1. Select your forum thread in Forum: Character Design.
   2. Select Reply to your first Forum post.
   3. Enter the words ‘Task 6’ in your reply.
   4. Select the Post your response button, then select Edit in your reply when it shows up.
   5. Upload your photo(s) using the Attachment field.
   6. Select Save changes to share your coursework to your forum thread.
4. Get feedback on this and other learning tasks at the next Live Session – check the Live Session calendar for dates and times.

Keep updating your foundational skills by exploring the techniques you've encountered in this Character Design topic. Experiment with concepts, archetypes, silhouettes and shapes to help finalise your character designs in your model sheet packs. Stay inspired and continue pushing the boundaries of your creativity!

Practice

Task 7: Check your knowledge - Character Design

Get ready to put your character design knowledge to the test! This quiz is designed to help reinforce your understanding and is not part of the formal assessment process. So treat it as a valuable tool to gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement. 

You'll encounter a variety of question formats, including multiple choice, true or false, and fill in the blanks. So approach each question with a critical eye and draw on your learning to choose the best answers – go for it!

What steps should you take to complete this knowledge check?

30 Minutes

Set aside 20-30 minutes to complete this knowledge check.

1. This quiz has 18 questions. Read each question carefully. Make sure you understand what is being asked before attempting an answer.
2. Provide the most accurate and complete answers you can. If a question stumps you, make an educated guess based on your knowledge.
3. Don't let difficult questions discourage you. Stay confident and do your best. Remember, it's a learning opportunity, and not a formal assessment!
4. Once you've reviewed your answer and are satisfied, click the ‘Check button’ to see if you chose the correct answer. You can also retry questions and show solutions.

Good luck, and enjoy the challenge!

What should you do after completing this knowledge check?

Developing a strong grasp of character design is essential to elevate your animation abilities. Take the time to practise the concepts covered in this knowledge check.

Put your learnings into practice by incorporating character design concepts into your animation projects. The more you apply these concepts, the more proficient you'll become.

Remember, continuous learning and practice are key!