{"id":180,"date":"2020-08-06T19:59:30","date_gmt":"2020-08-06T19:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu\/mmp-260-fall-20-culkin\/?page_id=180"},"modified":"2021-03-04T17:26:46","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T17:26:46","slug":"week-5","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu\/ani-260-1300-intro-2d-animation-sp-2021\/week-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

Character design for animation<\/h1>\n

Process<\/h3>\n

Creating a memorable animated character is a process that requires time and thoughtful decision-making. A character doesn\u2019t materialize on the screen out of thin-air. Each of its attribute (i.e: its size, features, color palette, posture etc.) should work in unison to create a clear, unique and cohesive look and personality.<\/p>\n

Career<\/h3>\n

In large studios such as Disney and Pixar, character designers work exclusively on developing characters. They create visual references and specifications to guide subsequent stages in the movie making process (such as 3D modelling and animation). \u00a0In smaller productions an animator may also be in charge of the character design.\u00a0This job listing from Pixar<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0gives you a good overview of the type of skills necessary to be a character designer.<\/p>\n

Exploration & Research<\/h3>\n

Whether you are assigned a predetermined character to work on, or have complete freedom, you should explore different possibilities, do some research, and gather some visual inspiration. Every character could be interpreted in a multitude of ways. Think about your character\u2019s gender, species\/race, height\/weight, mood etc.<\/p>\n

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\"devils
devils and demons from various sources<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n

Sketches<\/h3>\n

The first attempts at rendering your vision for a character should be very loose. Make sketches \u2013 a lot of them! Pencil and paper are the preferred tools for most artists at this stage (although pen, watercolor, even collages can work too). Don\u2019t spend time on tiny details.\u00a0\u00a0This is still the exploratory phase of the the process \u2013 don\u2019t settle for the first idea you put on paper. Let your imagination run wild.\u00a0 In your first sketches, you may want to reference the work that you chose for inspiration.<\/p>\n

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\"sketches
sketches based on research<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n

Some examples of Model Sheets<\/h3>\n

Powerpuff girls<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Flintstones<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Biography<\/h3>\n

If you are creating your own story\/character from scratch, writing up a little \u201cbiography\u201d can be very useful in defining your character for yourself and possible collaborators. Give your character a name and summarize the elements you\u2019ve gathered during the exploration phase in a short paragraph.<\/p>\n

\"Alexander the demon was born hundreds of years ago in the marshes of Hokkaido. His mother was a demon and his father was a fisherman. He is an only child. He is 6 inches tall, mostly red, with yellow hair and blue horns. His hobbies are frightening children, playing video games and reading horror manga. He would like to travel beyond the marshes of Hokkaido, and has long been planning how to do so.\"<\/i><\/pre>\n
Turnaround<\/h3>\n
The next step is to refine your favorite sketches into a character turnaround. This document provides a visual reference for the way your character looks from\u00a0different angles (at least front, side, and back). Start with the front view and draw horizontal lines at the height of each important elements (i.e: top of head, chin, feet, hands etc.) across the width of the sheet of paper to align all views.<\/p>\n
\"\"
devil turnaround<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Basic Shapes<\/h3>\n
The overall shape and silhouette of your character has an enormous impact on the way your audience will relate to it. Is it round and friendly? Long and scary? Small and sneaky? Square and stable? Angular and unwieldy?\u00a0This video about Pixar\u2019s \u201cInside Out<\/strong>\u201d<\/a>\u00a0provides a great example of how simple shapes can be used as the core of a character\u2019s design.<\/p>\n
Anatomy and Proportions<\/h3>\n
Defining the basic skeletal structure of your character can be very helpful in understanding how it will move. You could research basic human or animal anatomy and adapt these references to your character. Animated characters rarely abide to realistic proportions (after all, exaggeration is one of the 12 principles), but it\u2019s good to have a point of departure.<\/p>\n
\"\"
Disney animators studied the anatomy of deers to animate Bambi.\u00a0Image src: http:\/\/www.michaelspornanimation.com\/splog\/?<\/a>p=1463<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Style<\/h3>\n
While Disney has had a huge influence on the style of animated characters (past and present), there are other approaches.\u00a0Your story, the emotion and mood you are trying to convey, should be taken into consideration. Will your stylistic approach be cartoony? Realistic? Minimalist? Modern? Traditional? Jarring? Comforting? etc. Don\u2019t over complicate your character \u2013 remember that you will need to animate it\u2026 thus draw it over and over again. Furthermore, unnecessary design flourishes may distract from your character\u2019s essential features and traits.<\/p>\n
Appeal<\/h3>\n
Appeal is one the 12 principles of animation \u2013 perhaps the most subjective one. An appealing character isn\u2019t necessarily \u201cbeautiful\u201d or \u201ccute\u201d \u2013 an \u201cugly\u201d or \u201cscary\u201d subject can (and should) be appealing too. Appeal comes from a combination of design and motion that makes the character fascinating to watch. \u00a0Review this principle\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Week 5 Assignment: Character Design<\/a><\/h3>\n
Checklist<\/h2>\n
Before we meet next week on March 11, make sure you:<\/p>\n