Character Design Workshop #03

In our latest character workshop, we looked further into the differing shapes between male and female characters. We began to de-construct some well known characters to identify their fundamental shapes which is essential in developing to a strong character design. Later, we also began to gender swap these masculine characters into female versions by adjusting the various shapes and forms respectively.

Here are the basic shapes of Yoda, Obelix, Jafar, Mushu, and Hercules, along with an alternate female form.


Here is a great example of gender swapping with the character Obelix by our lecturer Justin Wyatt. Notice the smaller nose, larger lips and raised bottom for a comedic female quality in such a large character.

Character Design Workshop #02

In our second character design workshop, we began to look into the forms and shapes of characters in more detail.

Generally, circular shapes create the impression of friendly and safe characters. They can do no harm and are also associated with younger characters. Winnie the Pooh and Pixar's Russell are prime examples of this.



Square shapes can be used to give positive and strong characteristics to a character. With the hero Mr Incredible, the combination of square and circular forms create the impression of strength and heroism, whilst appearing warm and friendly.



Where triangular shapes are used to symbolise danger and evil, while emphasising their power. This is a common feature in Disney villains with sharp pointy silhouettes.



While these principles are often used, they can be combined, broken or adapted to suit different purposes. In the upcoming Dreamwork's film Megamind, the character of Megamind bears all the qualities of a traditional villain with a triangular sharp silhouette, yet he is ultimately ridiculed and powerless as comic relief becoming a parody of the traditional villain.





From this, we began designing a variety of henchmen for an imaginary villain from basic shapes and forms, including some non humanoid designs.

Character Design Workshop #01

For our first character design workshop, we began to identify reoccurring elements in traditional heroes, villains and sidekicks with several examples.

Heroes often wear bright primary colours and are usually human-like so the audience can relate to him/her. They are confident and capable, or later learn to be through character development. In the CG film Robots (2005), the main hero bears the most human-like features of the group while wearing bright colours.



Villains predominantly exhibit dark colours such as purples and black while possessing vast power. They often have long elongated shapes that are sharp and angular, while acting melodramatically in their actions with deliberate hand movements/gestures. Maleficent from Disney's Sleeping Beauty (1959) is a prime example of this.




Sidekicks usually have no specials powers where they are there to provide comedy relief to the scene. The sidekicks are often very physical in their actions as well as being flexible with a sort of rubber hose animation to emphasise their idiocy.




Later, we began some quick character sketches combining random elements together. Nothing too serious - just some fun to get into the swing of things. I drew the cards for 'Super Ninjas' (drawn on the left) and 'Galactic Cowboys' (drawn on the right).

'Chief' Character Concept #2

I felt a redesign for the Chief character was in order as in hindsight; I'm not quite satisfied with the previous design perhaps feeling too comical. The new design hopefully rectifies this being less restrictive with the use of real world objects for more freedom to create a more interesting design.






He now adorns a battle body plate with shoulder guards refitted from scrap materials, as well as wielding a former garden tool re-purposed as an intimidating weapon. I kept the use of a cape aesthetic (perhaps once originally a curtain material) to maintain his higher sense of stature and social status, along with the boots despite being well worn and full of holes, as the surviving humans exist in a world where footwear has become a precious commodity.

'The Matriarch' Character Concept

For the female of the group, I imagined a matriarchal type woman who would lead in the spiritual ritual as shown by the soundscape.






As such, she adorns a mystical hood while wielding some foreboding ritual items. She also collects materials of the world which has formed the many ribbons and layers of her dress.

'Tech Guy' Character Concept

A character concept of a sort of tech guy amongst the band of humans, one who is recognised to understand more of the old objects and artefacts they come across.




His clothes are well-worn and overused, with shoes in disrepair and overalls only kept together with an array patches taken from various clothing. Some objects include a collection of goggles he uses to analyse objects, a hammer tied to a cable which can be swung at great force, and an assortment of other objects he keeps in his pouch.