Game Art: Project 1 - Character Design & World Creation

28.04.23 - 04.06.23 (Week 4 - Week 9)
Chai Yi Xuan / 0346645 / B' Creative Media
 Game Art / Entertainment Design
Project 1 / Character Design & World Creation

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INSTRUCTIONS

To-Do List:

• Create three characters for the new art direction proposed

Week 4

I started sketching for my villain character. As stated in my proposal, I wanted to base her design on Greek Goddesses, but with a mix of Japanese elements here and there. I started with a tamer design, since I was still trying to visualise her outfit. I managed to create a few designs, but they obviously need a lot more refinement.

The next week, I continue to work on more thumbnail sketches for her. I added more 'menacing' elements to her design, and she looked a little more like a villain. I didn't want to overdo it, since my intention for her character was that she hides her true nature to deceive others.

Figure 1.1: Antagonist thumbnail sketches

Week 6

I moved on to work on my protagonist thumbnail sketches. In a way, it was hard to visualise her character since I made her to be a silent protagonist, like Ren Amamiya (Persona 5 protagonist). I based her designs on Baban Nyonya culture, but I realised that it was a hard task since I was not used to drawing batik nor was I familiar with their cultural fashion. I also had trouble with the anatomy and had to take my time to continuously fix it. After a few more tries and guidance from Mr Kannan, I finally got a more reasonable anatomy and design.

Figure 1.2: Protagonist thumbnail sketches

Week 7

I was still planning out what Persona I wanted my protagonist to have, so for the week I decide to further define the character designs for my protagonist and antagonist.

Figure 1.3: Antagonist progressive sketch

Figure 1.4: Protagonist progressive sketch

I also started working on the expression sheet for my protagonist. I based it off the dialogue portraits from the game (the face icons next to game dialogue box).

Figure 1.5: Protagonist expression sheet

Week 8

I worked on the colour palettes of my already defined characters. I mostly played around with what colours I think would work well for them. I also try to find colour palettes that can stand out from one another, so that they don't look similar when I present them together.

Figure 1.5: Antagonist colour palette

Figure 1.6: Protagonist colour palette

I finally decided to make my companion character based on Chinese designs, which I'm more familiar with. He is also based on Qi Lin, a Chinese mythical creature. I did have some trouble in defining his anatomy, since I was giving him horse legs to make him more similar to the Qi Lin.

Figure 1.7: Companion thumbnail sketches

Week 9

I further defined my companion character design. I mostly just added more details onto his armor and some ribbons to give the 'wind-like flow' and otherworldly feel. I also did the colour palette quickly as time was catching up.

Figure 1.8: Companion progressive sketch

Figure 1.9: Companion colour palette

I started drafting out the weapons for my protagonist and companion as well. It was a struggle since I don't have a lot of experience in design weapons. I used the tried and true method of further defining a current design, and manged to get a decent weapon design for both of them (at least, in my opinion). I didn't have the time to further design the villain's weapon, so currently there's only sketches of a spear and a bow.

Figure 1.10: Weapon design exploration

Furthermore, we had to draw our designed characters into an idle pose. It was rather overwhelming to have so much work at once, but I had to push through anyway. To make my life easier, I got some reference on Pinterest for their poses and draw my characters over.

Figure 1.11: Idle poses, sketches

Figure 1.11: Idle poses, rendered

PDF presentation file for Project 1

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FEEDBACK

Week 4

Greek elements are all okay, but look too friendly. Add some elements that makes her look more menacing/mysterious. You can reuse elements from design 1,4,5. Look up on Maleficent or any evil queen designs for inspiration. Another suggestion is to add a staff or a pet.

Week 5

Define the traits of your character (sexy, cunning, etc.) so you can implement it further into your designs. Antagonist design 4,7,8 are acceptable, but exaggerate the elements to make her more menacing (maybe bat wings, or high collars, or sharp armors). Try not to use thin strings as part of the design due to anti-aliasing, replace it with big/mid shapes.

Week 6

Define body type for protagonist, it's best to look up for characters similar to ideas and draw over it (just for pose). Adjust anatomy on design #7. Design #6 is fine, you can combine other elements you like from other designs. Add your description in your sketches.

Week 9

Finish up the idle pose and quickly finalise the colour palettes for all characters. On a side note, look into the meanings of the colours that can represent the persona of the characters. Do define the weapon for the pose.

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REFLECTIONS

I was pretty excited for this module, since I get to do character design again. I also took Art Direction as a module last semester, so some of my knowledge is being applied in this place. Designing my characters was fun despite the time it took. I'm not familiar with weapon design, so I mostly referenced some existing designs and create a amalgamation of everything I've seen on Pinterest and ArtStation. I wish I can do more, but all the assignments were piling up and I know I can't linger on this phase for too long or else nothing gets done.