Character Design - Compilation

August 27, 2023

Character Design - Compilation

28/08/2023 - 04/12/2023 / Week 1 - Week 15

Glen Owen / 0354952

Character Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Taylor's University

LECTURES

Week 1 (28/08/2023)

In the first week, we only had a briefing on what to expect in this module as Ms. Noranis also gave us the weekly tracker for our module so that we can track our progress.

Week 2 (04/09/2023)

Ms. Noranis introduced us onto the first task for our module, "Task 1: Personification". She also lecture us on the basic of making a conceptual world building of a character. In this week, we were told to compile visual reference for our future original character and finalize the main idea and narrative for our original character, mood board, and visual references. As for the world itself, we are going to make an original character in the world of "Genshin Impact".

Week 3 (11/09/2023)

Ms. Noranis gave us another lecture that could help us in our task 1, which is about conceptual development. We learn about silhouette shapes as this is where we start to explore on making our original character's thumbnail silhouette. In this week, our task is to make rough and progressive silhouettes while also pick the best one for our original character.

Week 4 (18/09/2023)

In this week, there's no actual lecture as Ms. Noranis checks in individually to see our progress. Our task 1 is expected to be submitted in Week 5.

Week 5 (25/09/2023)

There's no face to face class as Ms. Noranis has a meeting to attend. To use the time efficiently, I look back at my work and adjust some of it before submitting it in Microsoft Teams.

Week 6 (02/10/2023)

In our 6th week, we had our second briefing for our next task, which is "Task 2: Conceptual Development". It will later be divided into two parts so we can work on the task efficiently. Moving on, in this week, we had some exercises on drawing poses using the help of line of action so that we can make our pose more dynamic instead of a static one. To make the exercise more fun, Ms. Noranis told us to draw 10 pose as we draw 1 pose in a timeframe of 60 seconds thanks for this helpful tool that could train us in understanding how to pose. Our task in this week is to make a minimum of 8 sketches of pose and 8 sketches of expression for our original character. (This is where we start "Task 2: Part 1 - Character Poses Sheets")

Week 7 (09/10/2023)

In the 7th week, Ms. Noranis briefed us on our second part of task 2, which is "Task 2: Part 2 - Character Outfit". As the name of the task said, we were to make an alternate outfit/skin for our original character as if there is an event ongoing in the game. It can be a holiday-theme skin and more.

Week 8 (16/10/2023)

We had no lecture in this week as it's International Learning Week, which means it's a self-directed study. I use this time to continue on working Task 2 while also having some little amount of break to balance my miserable life.

Week 9 (23/10/2023)

This is where the fun part begins. Ms. Noranis briefed us on our next task which will be the main event for our character, "Task 3: Character Design Executions". In this task, we were to make a hero pose for our original character, aka the splash art. From this week and onwards, it will be a self-directed class so that we can complete our work.

Week 12 (13/11/2023)

There's no class in this week as it's Deepavali Holiday

Week 13 (20/11/2023)

There's a small briefing in this week as it's a briefing for our final task, which is the final compilation. After that, we continue our self-directed class as the final submission for our final task is December 1st, 2023.

INSTRUCTION

Fig 0.1 Module Information

Task 1 - Personification

A1: Concept World Creation

In this activity, my task is to compile references and create a narrative for my original character. From the 5 nations that is available in Genshin Impact, I chose Inazuma as the main origin of my original character as I love Inazuma so much because of the amounts of scenery and mysteries they had in the game. Their fashion and aesthetic piqued my interest too as I love Japanese things. I have played Genshin Impact for almost 3 years so I supposed it's normal to say that I have known the lore well.

Fig 1.1 Character Idea Proposal (Week 1, 28/08/2023)

In this proposal, Ms. Noranis accepted the 2nd idea. As the narrative has been decided, it's time for me to compile the visual references for my character. I used Miro as my mood board as I compile a lot of references for my character. Just like what they usually said, the more the better.

Fig 1.2 Compilation of Visual References (Week 2, 04/09/2023)

The goal I am trying to achieve in my original character is to make it look like a cyborg as such. Though the character will entirely be a puppet/automaton, it will have some damaged parts on it's physique and some visible mechanical parts on the body. In the end, I did some changes on the narrative to make it more interesting in the later progress.

A2: Character Conceptual Development

In this activity, we were to produce a series of progressive sheets that shows some development for our characters. To warm up, Ms. Noranis told us to study on character's silhouette, which I sucked at.

Fig 1.3 My attempt on studying character's silhouette's shape (Week 3, 11/09/2023)

To be honest, I had no clue on why I do this but I just follow what the weekly tracker told me to do. Then I realized that it could help me in creating the shapes of my original character which is right after this sentence.

Fig 1.4 Thumbnail Silhouettes (Week 3, 11/09/2023)

From the 8 silhouettes, I chose Silhouette #1, #5, #7, #8, for further explorations. Though in my further exploration, I might deformed the silhouette shapes as I only use the shape as reference.

Fig 1.5 Progressive Silhouettes (Week 3, 11/09/2023)

In this progressive silhouettes, Ms. Noranis told me I could go for the right side one. She also told me that I could combine different assets from the previous designs to the one that will be progressed into the next development.

Fig 1.6 Original Character Turnaround Concept (Week 4, 18/09/2023)

I showed this turnaround to Ms. Noranis and that's when she asked me why's the feet looks like that. The feet was supposed to be a mechanical part that the character shows visible as the outer shell of the automaton itself has been separated from the feet. As for the right arm, I made it looked like a prosthetic arm when it's his actual arm. The reason for this is the same as the feet, as the outer shell has shed from the arm. The reason there are some weapon separation bits beside the claymore is because it's actually the character's mechanic. The weapon bits will be able to fly around the character as it acts as a projectile. Further mechanic are available in the pdf below.

Fig 1.7 Final Compilation of Task 1: Personification (Week 4, 24/09/2023)

Task 2: Concept Development

A3 - A4: Character Poses Sheets

In our next progress after finishing our personification, our next task is to create a character pose sheets where they are attacking, idling, etc. Different poses will make the difference in persuading the audience that the original character is actually alive.

i) Full Body Pose

Fig 2.1.1 Poses Exploration (Week 6, 02/10/2023)

In this sheet, I made some sketches on the pose when the characters are deploying it's attack. One of the poses will be used for Task 3: Character Design Executions for further exploration while the others are just some visual on how the character will attack.

Fig 2.1.2 Battle Standby Poses (Week 12, 13/11/2023)

When the character is in his sword mode phase, the bits from the claymore will separate with each other as they form into a formation that could either defend or attack. When the bits are separated, it will reveal a sword that has a beam at the sharp side. While in the claymore mode phase, when the character cast a skill, it will summon an eight-handled wheel that can act as his defensive mode. In summary, when the character is in it's default mode (claymore), it can act as a tank while in sword mode it will act as an offense.

Fig 2.1.3 Idle Poses (Week 12, 13/11/2023)

In this idle poses, Idle #1 shows the character interacting/petting his pet cat (yes, he has a pet, and it's name is Toji). In the second idle, it will float just like how Venti does in his idle interaction. While he floats, his sword bits will start floating around him as each bits has it's own core of his.

ii) Bust Expressions

Fig 2.1.4 Expression Exploration (Week 6, 02/10/2023)

I tried making various of expressions to show the character's personality. Some of them can be progressed further as Ms. Noranis told me so while some of them needs to be change/find another expressions.

Fig 2.1.5 Final Bust Expression (Week 12, 13/11/2023)

A5: Character Outfits

In this activity, our goal is to make an alternate skin for our character while also adding some colors and more details to our character. This include the props, weapons, and more. Choosing the correct color palette is important so that it can show the details of the character.

i) Default Outfit

Fig 2.2.1 Full Color Turn Around (Week 11, 06/11/2023)

Ms. Noranis told me that I should change the color of the inner cloths so that it looks contrast for the character's outfit to show the details. She also told me to add some hue and saturation on some aspect of the props so I did what she asked.

Fig 2.2.2 Final Colored Turn Around (Week 12, 13/11/2023)

ii) Alternate Outfits / Skins

Fig 2.2.3 Outfit Exploration (Week 7, 09/10/2023)

The Cyberpunk outfit is an outfit that took reference from the world of Cyberpunk and Honkai: Star Rail. The Pirate outfit is just an experimentation of the character's alternate costume. The Heavy Armored outfit is just an extension of the default outfit so it's not a way to go. The Halloween Edgelord outfit is cool, but Ms. Noranis told me it's too edgy. The fifth one is just the character in an alternate timeline where he is an abyss creature.

From the five outfits that I have created, Ms. Noranis told me to use the "Cyberpunk" theme for further progression. This made me went crazy because I literally drew the other 4 outfits just to met the requirement from the weekly tracker which is to make 5 outfit ideas and it took me nearly 2-3 hours to come up with it.

Fig 2.2.4 Initial Skin Concept (Week 10, 30/10/2023)

I did some adjustments on the face as I made it like an LED Screen with a mono eye. The back of the character is supposed to act like a shield as it replaces the Shimenawa rope of the character default skin. She told me that I should change the shield design a bit to look more like Inazuma's kabuki mask so I did what she asked me.

Fig 2.2.5 Final Colored Turnaround (Week 12, 13/11/2023)

iii) Signature Weapon Design

I will start making the signature weapon first since I have the draft of the design earlier in Fig 1.6. Since the weapon has some bits, I too need to design each bits.

Fig 2.2.6 Signature Weapon Design Concept (Week 12, 13/11/2023)

When the claymore is separated into flying bits, that is how the bits will look like and that is how the sword will looked like when it's revealed inside the claymore. The hilt of the claymore is designed to look like a shield as it may act as a secondary defense for the character when he is in sword mode.

Fig 2.2.7 Final Signature Weapon Gacha Splash Art (Week 12, 14/11/2023)

Fig 2.2.8 Character Turn Around with Signature Weapon (Week 12, 14/11/2023)

iv) Event Weapon Design

This weapon is made to compliment the alternate outfit design. Since I made the alternate outfit design looks like a mech/robot, I decided to use Ruin Guards in Genshin Impact as reference.

Fig 2.2.9 Initial Concept Design (Week 12, 13/11/2023)

I used the right side design for further progression as it looks more interesting than the others.

Fig 2.2.10 Final Event Weapon Gacha Splash Art (Week 12, 14/11/2023)

Fig 2.2.11 Skin Turn Around with Event Weapon (Week 12, 14/11/2023)

Fig 2.3 Final Compilation of Task 2: Concept Development (Week 13, 20/11/2023)

Task 3: Character Design Executions

A6: Hero Pose

In this task, we are to pose our character so that it can catch the attention of the audience. In other words, we are making the splash art of the character when it get's pulled in the gacha or for drip marketing purposes.

Fig 3.1 Rough Sketch for the Splash Art (Week 12, 14/11/2023)

In this splash art, the main focus I am trying to go is the floating weapon bits around it and the character itself. I used the base sketch from Fig 2.1.1 as the reference and add the character itself. At first, I am in my burnt out phase because of how many module I had to do but I got fueled with excitement ever since I discovered about energy drink. Since then, I have not been the same as I continue to work on my masterpiece.

I also added the gacha background to the work. I mainly focused on making the splash background first before rendering the character since it's the most hardest part of the process. Eventually, I found one that is suitable for the character itself.

Fig 3.2 Splash Art Development (Week 12, 18/11/2023)

As for the weapon bits, I copy pasted the bits in Fig 2.2.6 and distorted them based on the perspective. While rendering the character, I decided to use my own art style in rendering it to make it my signature.

Fig 3.3 Rendered Splash Art with Weapon Bits (Week 13, 20/11/2023)

As for the final touch, I have added some of the text and UI to the work as if it's a real gacha moment.

Fig 3.4 Final Splash Art (Week 13, 24/11/2023)

After I finished making the splash art, I did a small extra work which only took a little time, which is adding the character in the drip marketing banner. Though I only added the background of it.

Fig 3.5 Drip Marketing Banner (Week 13, 24/11/2023)

Fig 3.6 Final Compilation of Task 3: Character Design Executions (Week 13, 24/11/2023)

Task 4: Character Boards Compilation

A7: Character Board Presentation

In our final task, we are to compile all of our work from Task 1: Personification to Task 3: Character Design Executions into a 5 A3 sized presentation boards that covers:

Narrative and Concept Development
Sketches & Studies
Poses & Expressions
Hero Poses, Details, and Color Schemes
Turn Around Studies
Design Details

For this presentation, I decided to use the Genshin Impact Character Page as reference for my presentation board.

Fig 4.1 Genshin Impact Character Page

While designing, I noticed how they also add their voice actor in the presentation. So, since I lived in delusion and know how my character personality is, I put SUWABE Junichi as the voice actor of my original character.

Fig 4.2 Draft Development (Week 13, 26/11/2023)

Fig 4.3 Background Variation (Week 13, 26/11/2023)

I used Fig 4.3 background to represent the character's affiliation, which is Seirai Island. It also compliments the character's nature and home since Seirai Island is the origin of the character.

Fig 4.4 Final Compilation of Task 4: Character Boards Compilation (Week 13, 26/11/2023)

FEEDBACKS

Week 2 (04/09/2023)

First Narrative Idea is similar with the Wanderer's narrative
Third Narrative Idea is boring
Look for more visual references

Week 3 (11/09/2023)

Explore more on the hairstyle since almost all base are the same in style

Week 6 (02/10/2023)

Some of the expressions can be further be progressed
The first pose which is the top left one can be used as hero pose in Task 3

Week 7 (09/10/2023)

Pirate skin has the same design with existing character
Heavy Armored skin is a no way to go for an alternate skin
Halloween Edgelord skin is too edgy
Abyss skin not so well
Cyberpunk skin can be further progress

Week 10 (30/10/2023)

The shield at the back on the alternate skin can be changed into other design such as the Maguu Kenki shield

Week 11 (06/11/2023)

The colors on the turn around can be adjusted more especially the hue and saturation

REFLECTION

Creating an original character for me is pretty easy when I did it in my first attempt with my other original characters. In this module, I learnt that in making an original character, there is also need some research and make it blend in to the world he is living. In this module however, I can easily make the character blend in with the world since I have known the lore well and can play with it without disturbing the timeline. I learnt that making variation can help me in picking the best options for my character to be further progressed. I also learnt that contrast is key in coloring so that it can reveal the details of the character. While I also struggled in doing other modules and burnt out, at least I managed to survive through this hell.

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Glen Owen (0354952)