Creating character designs

Creating character designs

Daisy Jackson / 01/02/2022

As stated before, my next plan of action is to create rough charater designs of both of my historical figures. This will get my creative thinking going as well as providing me with further inspiration. As well as this, I will also be able to determine which figure I feel is best.

When creating my character designs, I used a fine liner brush pen. I really enjoyed using this medium as i felt quite relaxed and stress free as mistakes did not matter. Weirdly enough though, I thought originally after doing this process that I would end up still wanting to choose Marie Curie. However, I love both of my characters! I am unsure if I am able to produce illustrations for both (more work though of course) but I would definitely be up for the challenge! I feel like I could produce two illustrations of each as well as an animation. However, my mind could obviously change in the long run but I definitely feel like 13 weeks is enough! Plus, I am really enjoying what I am doing so far.

These are my character designs for George Washington:

For my first idea, I wanted to do a quick animated sketch of his face. I wanted to capture the 'grumpy' look which I think I did quite well. To me, his main feature that I am gravitated towards is his hair, so I wanted to include this as much as I could.

The second idea involves an axe due to the rumour of him as a child cutting down his father's cherry tree. Despite being a false rumour, I still feel like it would be fun to create an illustration about as a lot don't realise that this is fake. 

My third idea focuses on the heads carved into Mount Rushmore. I love the idea of George Washington walking around sadly because he is stuck with these heads on his back. This is definitely my favourite character design for George Washington as there is a lot of personality involved. I also feel like it would fit perfectly with my illustration ideas.

My last idea focuses on the main feature of George Washington's hair mixed with my own character that does not really have an identity. Matt stated how we don't have to make our characters identical to our historical figures. I am keeping this in mind. 

These are my designs for Marie Curie:

My first idea focuses on a general drawing of Marie Curie. This captures her clothing quite well as well as her well known hair style. Along with this I have added the option of props such as chemicals to represent her being a scientist who focuses on radiation. I have also added the other option of surrounding her with a green glow to also represent radiation and that her body (still to this day) is radiated. I love this as a generic piece as I can either use this or develop it further.

It is important to note that a key feature I wish to include is a 'HELLO MY NAME IS...MARIE CURIE' badge onto my character designs. This way, the audience are informed on who my character is if they do not know already. The badge also adds a comical element as I see these on TV shows all the time! Often the name is written on with sharpie too which is something I would definitely do. 

My second design consists of my own 'lumpy' character which has a sign stuck into it's head saying 'VERY IMPORTANT PERSON' or 'MARIE CURIE'. This way, this design skips the idea of providing features which distinguish who the individual is, instead it just tells you. I find this idea funny but too simple. I want features which clearly represent Marie Curie. I tried to improve this by adding the dress which she was often photographed wearing. 

My third idea focuses on X-rays as this was a large contribution from Marie Curie and her research into radiology. I captured this element by having an X-ray board showing her face as a skeleton. The rest of her body is wearing a dress and is once again radiated by a green glow. I could also add the name badge too. However, I do feel like this idea can be quite creepy. It depends how it is drawn and the exact ages on my target audience. 

My last idea is a personal favourite. I love the play on words of having a radio as a head with a sign hanging from the neck saying '-logy'. This spells out radiology of course which is what Marie Curie is known for. The downsides of this is literally this is what Curie is known for, not who she is. I want children to see the character and learn who exactly she is. However, I still feel like this is an idea I could play around with.

Next steps?

My next steps will definitely be developing these characters. Before going into any idea revolving storylines, I need to figure out which characters I am using and THEN figuring out how I will add them to my ideas. I want to experiment with a wide range of materials for these character designs. This will be done through mediums such as a fine liner brush pen, pencils, copic pens, digital and coloured paper/card. I feel like I could definitely learn a lot from a layering process as well as referring to 'Noggin the Nog' which a participant mentioned in the survey. As well as this, I also wish to add 3D elements in through either photography (like what is present in the chrildren's TV show 'The Amazing World of Gumball') or literal 3D elemtents - clay etc. 

After this, I will know what I am working with which will allow me to research further into the historical figures themselves and narrow down the storyline I want to base my illustrations on.