Create a figure for animation

Gives you some simple guidelines to help you develop a character from initial sketch to a design ready to be animated

utstanding, compelling characters are one of the most important aspects of an animated film. An eye-catching character – ideally several – is a must-have in every production.

Imagine watching a modern-day animation film with a boring main character. Would your time spent in the cinema be enjoyable? No, and more than likely the film wouldn’t do well at the box office – and making animated films

OAugust 2015 is an expensive business! That’s why character design is a key part in the preproduction process of any animated film.

But the great thing about animation, as opposed to a live-action film, is that you have more freedom when designing characters. There are a lot of techniques you can use to make your animated character appear more interesting. You can make the character stand out by their silhouette, or by their unique style, or just simply because of their cute appearance.

Understand the client’s needs

You don’t usually work alone: you need to understand what the art direct or client wants. Talk to them and make sure you have the same idea in mind. Once you connect with the concept, then you can start researching. Try not to limit your research to your own subject – you can always brainstorm and come up with totally different ideas and directions.

In this workshop, I’ll share my process for character design and development with you. The workshop is divided into several simple steps, and my task is to create an original character: a male jazz musician from the 1940s.

I’ve decided he will have a charming, flirtatious and gentlemanly personality. Basically, he’s the regular main character from a vintage musical. But how can I make this character stand out from the crowd? Read on to find out…