Character

Character Design

Character Design Theory

When refering to creating a character, you always try and start with some basic shapes. Using this method you can get many results on what your character can be without too much detail. (FIG 1)

when creating the characters form it is best to start out with simple shapes and join them together to help proportionise the body correctly. If just created from just detail on its own it will become unproportionate and very unrealistic for a character. (FIG 2 and FIG 3)

FIG 1

FIG 2

FIG 3

Character Colour theory

when creating a character it isn't just the shape and look of a character that makes them who they are, their colours take a big part of it. For an example, when looking at a Disney character you can distinguish a villan to a hero; you can tell who is the villan by the use of lime green as it doesn't come across as friendly as some other green is.

To say the least, colour is very important in dictating what the characters personality is going to be like for the audience.

Character Mood Boards

Character 1

Character 2

Character 3

Silhouettes

For the basic idea for my characters I begin with a silhouette to help me get a rough idea on how I would design the characters.

The silhouettes doesn't mean they will be the final output of the design but a start.

Inital Sketches

For the start, I'll begin with a character design close to the silhouette and then moved up to make suttle changes such as clothing or height.

While I design the characters I am trying to keep things simple for when I begin to build this in ZBrush so there wont be to many complications and for when I go into Maya it won't have any problems.

Note: not all design of characters is the final look of characters clothing or looks. These are just rough sketches of what can be.

For my first Character, I wanted him to be a lifeguard, I have no idea where he would be positioned but he looks more like a seaside lifeguard.

For my second character, I decided on a more normal character of a little girl. She would be in the age range between 5-8 giving her that mix of that change of being a child and a teen.

For my third character, I have gone with looking at a mix of women and more of a tilt towards Japanese culture. She seems to be a mix of either a working woman or a free going teen/young adult.

Final Character Inital Sketches

For my final character, I am going forward with character three.

Character colour theorys from Japanese books

I chose to look at these images found on google images that came from a Japanese books or articles online on what colours that go well in their culture. These will be great help when deciding on colours for the clothes and possibly hair colour.

Character designs

The first looks more child like with the large eyes making her not look the age I am trying to achieve; where as the second looks more mature.

Next was outfits I designed that look very Japanese culture of their fashions today. Lots of fashion has high necked tops and dresses in a way to make them look more petite. Some are these tops with large sleeves and skirts.

The hairstyles I have designed in my own style are a mix of what I have seen through my moodboards and some through my own mind that would look quite Japanese. Some may look very off but as the moodboards show some have elements that look very close to the design.

Possible Final Designs

Design 1

For my first possible design I have took in the second outfit with the more Japanese inspired heart buns that are normally two buns or like this in animes. What I like about these is the simple clean design I have done for the top half. I am not a big fan of the high detail I have put in for the character because of needing to ZBrush this character in.

Overall I think this design is great as it is simple and not overly complicated in outfit choice but the hair may become a bit more of a challenge.

Design 2

For my second design, I am not truly happy with it as it seems more of an English/American girl that someone from Japan. If the face was a bit more like a Japanese womans stucture I could be more towards this character design.

Design 3

For my third design, I love this design. The face looks like someone from Japan and the hair style is simple. I like the outfit, but I believe I do prefer the first designs outfit. If it was merged with the firsts designs outfit then I can see this not be looking like an typical; in what people believe is what a woman looks like.

Coloured Possible Final Designs

Design 1

For design one, I like choices 2, 3 and 5. These stand out the most as they seem more like what someone would go out in as well that they all compliment each other without being too over bearing to the eyes.

Design 2