• What is character design?
• What is character? – Dictionary.com
• The combination of qualities or features that distinguish one person, group of thing from another
• In Literature – descriptive analysis of a particular human virtue or vice as represented in a person or type
• In Genetics – any trait, function, structure or substance of an organism resulting from effect of one or more genes as modified by the environment
• In Theater – representing a personality type, especially by emphasizing distinctive traits, as language, mannerisms, physical makeup, etc.
• Character is: virtues and vices, qualities, likes and dislikes, traits, functions, mannerisms, personality, etc
• May also include social status, occupation, etc
• Think of character design as designing character

• What type of personality are they?
• What makes them do what they do?
• Written Character bio
• Can be useful
• May also be excessive
• However deep you delve into a character’s psyche should probably be determined by how you plan on using them
• Example PDF
• Approach to designing Neil Helm’s character
• He had specific character traits in mind
• My process
• Intangible concepts (personality) need to be translated into something tangible (or in this case, visible)
• The outward appearance of your character should ultimately reflect your character’s personality, whether intentionally or not
• Consider shapes, proportions, predominant features, weight distribution/emotional center, posture, scale, manner of dress and color
• Some times visual concepts will proceed personality
• Just be careful that personality of some sort is there
• Visual cues can tell half of your story

• The human form – what makes it so interesting?
• Shapes, S-curve, tapering, curves vs. straights, repetition, variation, etc
• Examples
• System of checks and balances
• Basic anatomy and facial structure
• We relate easily to ourselves and look for human features in other things
• Animals and inanimate objects
• Examples
• It also goes the other way – giving humans animal features tends to dehumanize them and often times, they take on characteristics attributed to those animals
• Examples
• Variety in the human form
• Age, body type, sex, ethnicity
• Start paying attention to these sorts of things in people you see or meet
• Clip images out of magazine or download them off the internet
• Carry a sketchbook to jot down something you see

• Art is a visual language, a form of communication
• Some attempts at communicating are more successful than others
• Draw, draw, draw – builds your visual vocabulary
• Communicate concisely, yet effectively
• Artistic prose is unnecessary, even in detailed comps
• The old illustration vs. photography debate
• Just keep things simple
• Expose yourself to other artists
• My influences include: Humberto Ramos, Carlos Meglia, Doug Tennapel, Jamie Hewlett, Ian McCracken, Genndy Tartakovsky and Retro Cartoon Design
• Look at different genres of art – even some that you’re not too fond of
• Shat makes these genres/styles successful?
• Borrow, take, steal successful elements from other artists and genres
• Ultimately you will adapt these elements to your own ends
• Create a visual “grab-bag” for yourself
• Emphasis on drawing from reference, if not life
• Abstract real-life forms into simplified elements
• Use visual language of other artists.
• If somebody else uses successful elements, use them. Chances are they borrowed stuff from other artists too
• Be careful not to fall into a rut

How I design a character

• Tools of the trade
• Col-Erase pencils, plastic erasers, smooth paper (even computer paper), markers, brush, crow-quill and ink, super sculpey
• Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Painter
• Beginning a design
• Sometimes it begins as a bio, sometimes as a sketch
• Start with the most important part, whether it be the head or the body
• Whichever will be used more to convey the most character
• Loosely drawn, basic shapes – don’t commit too much too soon
• Gradually commit more to the drawing tightening and refining
• Work general to specific