A good character design is a balance between the familiar human features, and the stylized elements of the design. This project walks students through the process of exploring variations to find the many places that balance can land.

Students start with a provided photograph, and then must create 9 full-figure characters based on the following prompts, each of which resemble the photo they've chosen. 

• Looking Glamorous

• Looking Villainous

• As a Child or Teenager

• As an Elderly Person

• With a Different Physique

• As an Anthropomorphic Animal

• Shape-Based Style

• Realistic Anatomically-based Style

• Artist’s Choice

By starting from a photo, students have a “basecamp” from which they can head out in different directions, emphasizing or downplaying different parts. Their goal is to “push it till it breaks” – keep exaggerating the elements of the design until they lose sight of basecamp or the objective, and then pull back. This process helps lead them to the most interesting results.

Class: ILLU 425 Concept Art

Professor: Matthew Cook

Character Designs by: Abra Shirley

Character Designs by: Erin Rigdon

Character Designs by: Genevieve Pateidl

Character Designs by: Rachel England

Character Designs by: Yekyoung Kim