How to Come Up With Character Designs
Creating a character design is a complex process that requires a lot of creative thinking. Character designers need to consider a lot of factors, such as the character’s personality, backstory, and the overall look and feel of the character. Here are some tips to help you come up with character designs.
Gather References
Gathering references is a great way to get character design ideas going. These references can be from any medium like animation, photography, cinema, comic books, or paintings. Many character designers even have their favorite references on hand as they take on the next step — creating a thumbnail.
Create Thumbnails
Creating thumbnails is an important step in character design. Thumbnails are small sketches that help designers to explore different ideas quickly. It’s a great way to experiment with different shapes, poses, and expressions. Thumbnails also help designers to identify the elements that work and the ones that don’t.
Develop a Story
Developing a story is an important part of character design. A story helps to give the character a purpose and a sense of identity. It can also help to create a connection between the character and the audience. Designers should think about the character’s backstory, motivations, and relationships with other characters.
Consider the Environment
Designers should also consider the environment in which the character will exist. The environment can have a big impact on the character’s design. For example, a character in a fantasy world will likely have a different design than a character in a modern-day setting.
Finalize the Design
Once the character design is complete, designers should take the time to refine the design. This includes making sure that the character looks consistent and that all the details are in place. This is also a great time to add any finishing touches that will make the character stand out.
Creating character designs can be a challenging but rewarding process. By gathering references, creating thumbnails, developing a story, considering the environment, and finalizing the design, designers can create unique and memorable characters.
