Notes

PDW Character Design critique #1

1. think about the layout of the page, try to make sure each character is able to be seen, don't have the characters overlap all the time, with character designs push shapes and make silhouettes to see how far you can push your shapes, push them as far as possible. try to be more exploratory in your character design process. try to push shapes more.
2. have characters separated so each character, explore more shapes, try to think about how exaggerated you can make these shapes, every animal has specific shapes, basically do more exploration, do more mini sketches to show how much you can push these shapes.
3. show different silhouettes that you can think of, choose which one is more readable and all, don't worry about it not being polished or anything, if you have a big character show more big shapes and elements to show its big, check out molly bang book called "picture this". Show more unique ideas of what these animals could be.
4. try to explore more design opportunities, try to play with shapes, as character designer, you submit ideas, not beautiful finished pieces.
5. try to show more explatory designs, like show finished piece, then show sketches on the next slide, break into big and small shapes. sketches to show thought process.
6. more sketches, push it until it breaks then take the one before it broke, it only breaks when you no longer recognize the animal or character anymore.
7. make sure to draw beforehand, and then ink it later on tracing paper to test it. think about clarity and the silhouette, make sure you don't confuse the audience, so they can see everything clearly in the shapes, if you want to overlap, then darken/lighten elements to make others pop.
8. explore more shapes before going into finalized designs, try to not make the proportions feel even, push them further, there's a lot you can do with these designs, so like, go crazy. always think about how you can push it even further. push the elements of your characters, like if they are shy, make sure the audience knows their shy through their pose and their shapes.
9. push the shapes, try and change their proportions, babies have huge heads (for all animals) so keep that in mind
10. big legs, tiny torse that's a good way to play with proportions, try and have fun with your proportions. think about how to make these characters very different from their original inspiration, but are still noticeable enough to see that they were inspired by these animals or so. try to keep the proportions different from your inspiration. at portfolio day, they're going to want to see how you make your ideas.
11, show your exploration ideas, also think about it as you're giving modelers these designs and see how they'll be able
12. try to play with size, big and small characters make them very different,try to think what shapes make an animal or character, try to include them in your drawings. emphasize the things that make this animal what it is, (ex: big teeth, feet and bunny ears for rabbits) its nice to have one polished design but also fun to see exploration process that you do.
13. (mine) play with more shapes before finalizing with them, you're exploring ideas not married to one, try to see how many designs you can make from one (explore more), try to push the expression of your characters, nice space, but don't have extra, fill it up, push the shapes that make the designs, think about how more exaggerated you can be with these characters in regards to shapes and proportions (along with expressions). also, add texture in lineart if you can't display it through painting (i got lazy whatever) otherwise it won't register as feathers or scales.
14. play more with proportions, try to draw through your drawings,
15, try to make your designs more unique, make the eyes low and far apart if you want to make a character cute (or like a baby or something)
16. play with more shapes, with cats don't push the snout too far otherwise it'll become a dog. try to realize what you think about when you think of these animals or so. (ex: like when thinking of cats, you think about ears, short snout, big ears, and whiskers) try to make descriptive words that describe your character.

top tips: push the shapes of your characters further, try to make younger kids by making their heads bigger and their eyes bigger as well, try to explore more when designing ideas, don't stick to just one idea, play around with the proportions (make them more diverse) also, push your ideas to make them stand out more, try to push the form so far that you nearly break the design, you'd only break the design if the animal becomes unrecognizable. explore different designs and include your exploratory designs in your assignments and portfolio, colleges want to see not only what you create but how you create it and how you think (especially with calarts) also make sure the background color doesn't take away from the character, create clear silhouettes, try to maintain the proportions you create. round shapes more display happiness and softness (again draw through your drawing) try to imagine a mask over your character's face to see where it'd go and keep the face proportional. think about what design choices make this character even stronger in regards to their personality and form. think about how you can express your character's emotions through its body language and show its personality through its body shape. know that if you're into character design you're going to have to create a lot of character sketches. don't worry about bad drawings, make sure your explore in your drawings.