conceptualize:
They are many ways to develop a character. Try the method described in the reading above. Click here to download a worksheet in pdf or indesign formats.
choose one of three basic shapes to define your character: circle one :
- rectangle
- circle
- triangle
Pair your chosen shape with one of three basic objects circle one :
- Animal
- Mineral
- Plant
- Vehicle
List 5-10 key words for each of the following design concepts.
Your key words should be adjectives, not nouns. Include key words that are in opposition to your main theme.
- emotion
- color
- shape
- texture
- line
- speed
- size
- opposing concept
Write a high concept for your character:
For example:
Bijou is a one-of-a-kind,
catlike creature whose lines,
shapes and colors immediately evoke a feeling of extreme,
erratic, sharp tension.
Bijou is moody, petite,
unpredictable and always alone. Bijou likes to hide and
creep up on others.
Mind-Map
Place your concept in the center box. For each of the categories below, list 3-5 nouns that reflect the character concept’s emotions. Some of these nouns will become visual metaphors for your character.
- flora
- fauna
- historic reference
- people
- concept
- places
- cultures
- archiecture
- clothing
Combine 5 adjectives from your key words with 5 nouns from your mind map.
sketch :
sketch 10-15 images
For each of these combinations, sketch 2-3 images. If you’re not sure how to draw something, google images for a reference. These are quick sketches and can be small.
sketch 5-6 characters
- Combine some of the 15 images, your shape, and your basic object to create possible characters.
- Start with some research : Do you need a reference image? should you consider bone structure? At what angle to you want to draw your character? Straight on? Profile? Back?
sketch a more detailed character
Pick your favorite and refine it. This is just a start–we will continue to refine your character throughout the unit.
illustrator :
Draw your character in illustrator. This is just the beginning of your character development. We will add face, color, depth and details later.
- create a new file in illustrator
- scan your final sketch and use as a template as you did for the contour exercise
- create layers to separate elements of your drawing, for example, background, texture and details.
- save your file as character.pdf
download a demo file.
Assignment 1 :
Turn in a file named conceptualizeYourName.pdf of your worksheet with the following :
- chosen shape
- chosen object
- key words
- high concept
- mind map
- combined adjectives and nouns
example : conceptualizemwallace
Assignment 2 :
Scan in all of your character sketches and turn in a pdf : characterYourName.pdf
example :