ANIMATION FUNDAMENTALS / PROJECT 1 - CHARACTER DESIGN & LAYOUT DESIGN

30/08/2023 - 29/11/2023 / Week 1- Week 14
Chew Zhi Ern / 0358995
Animation Fundamentals / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 1 / Character Design & Layout Design

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INSTRUCTIONS

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LECTURES

Lectures: Refer to Exercises

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PROJECTS

Project 1A: Character Design

Brief

In this project, we embark on a creative journey to design a character for our Film Studies and Cinematography class. Our primary objective is to craft a character that aligns with the given character description (including Age, Gender, Weight, Attitude, and Personality). This character should serve as a visual embodiment of their personality in the context of a story while being visually captivating.

Our first step involves a deep dive into the character description. We dissect the character's age, gender, weight, attitude, and personality to gain a comprehensive understanding of who this character is and what they represent in the narrative.

Story Development

In the quest for inspiration, we emphasize the significance of drawing from existing characters in various forms of media, such as movies, anime, and comics. These references serve as a wellspring of ideas that will help us create a character that stands out. So here are some references for me to spark ideas.

Figure 1.1 References

After having the references, I meticulously study the fundamental design elements that will shape our character. The shape of the character I want to design is shown below.

Figure 1.2 Figure Shape

With the knowledge of design elements in hand, we embark on the exciting journey of creating a character that is entirely our own. This character will be a unique fusion of shapes, proportions, silhouettes, and colours that adhere to the character description while standing apart from our reference sources.

For this project, we aim to produce several essential components:

• Turnaround Sheet: This includes front, side, back, and perspective views of our character.
• Pose Sheet: Showcasing the character in various emotional poses that will reveal their personality.
• Character Facial Expressions: Depicting five distinct expressions that will help convey a wide range of emotions.

The first task is to create a turnover sheet for our character. I drew the rough proportion of the character using circles.

Figure 1.3 Sketch Draft

Then, I sketched a rough outline on it.

Figure 1.4 Outline Sketch

After determining the general direction, I simplified the draft.

Figure 1.5 Clean Up Line

Finally, I applied colours to make it visually appealing and consistent with my story development.

Figure 1.6 Outcome of the Character

We were assigned with producing a facial expression sheet of the character for our objective after the character design was finished. I have collected a few references in order to get inspiration and guidance.

Figure 1.7 Expression Sheet References

I started outlining several facial expressions that the character might utilise to convey their emotions.

Figure 1.8 Own Version Expression Sheet Draft

Five of these expressions were chosen from above to continue developing.

Figure 1.9 5 Emoticons Selected to Continue Develop

It has been enhanced with more details, such as hair.

Figure 1.10 Hair Added

Then here was the clean up sketch with 5 expressions.

Figure 1.11 Clean Up Strokes

Lastly, this was the outcome for the character expression sheet.

Figure 1.12 Outcome for the Character Expression

The project's final task is to construct a character poses sheet.

Figure 1.13 Poses References

Figure 1.14 Final Outcome

Project 1B: Background Design

Brief

In this project, we set out on a quest to create layout concepts for an animated project while utilising the power of perspective. The illustrations served as the backdrop for numerous animation scenes, with the main objective being to enhance the story and mood. Start by choosing a scenario and defining the placement of background components and characters in a preliminary layout using perspective. From that, turned these ideas into detailed line drawings by adding textures, shading, and intricate details to bring the scenario to life. Using the rules of perspective as a guide, add depth and dimension on the works. Last but not least, investigated the world of colour, creating a study that complemented the atmosphere and concept of the setting, experimenting with lighting scenarios and colour variations to create an eye-catching and immersive design.

Figure 2.1 Background References

Figure 2.2 Character Pose References

Figure 2.3 Sketch Draft

Figure 2.4 Clean-Up Stroke

Figure 2.5 Shading Draft

Figure 2.6 Coloured

Figure 2.7 Final Submission

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FEEDBACK

Week 6: Overall looks good. Label each expression. Make sure the role fits his personality.

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REFLECTIONS

Experience:

In this phase of the module, I dived into the world of background design for animated projects. It was a fascinating journey, where I had the opportunity to contribute to the visual storytelling of an animation. The experience started with the challenging task of selecting a scene that would become the canvas for my creativity. I chose a scene that resonated with the theme and mood of the animation, a decision that required thoughtful consideration.  I opted for digital tools, which allowed me to explore and iterate with ease.

Observations:

During the process, I realized the intricate interplay of elements and characters within the scene. Every placement had to serve the story and enhance the mood. It was a delicate balance to strike, and it made me appreciate the art of storytelling through visuals. It was inspiring to see how different individuals brought their unique perspective to similar tasks, highlighting the beauty of artistic expression.

Findings:

I found that it wasn't as simple to turn a mere sketch into a live, breathing environment as I advanced to the more detailed line drawing and added textures, shading, and other elements. I was able to generate depth and dimension and make the picture truly immersive by using the concepts of perspective. Making a colour study was an interesting practise in selecting a colour scheme that fits the scene's atmosphere and topic. It served as a reminder of the importance of colour in narrative. Experimenting with lighting scenarios and color variations allowed me to grasp how minor changes in color and light can trigger distinct emotions and reactions from the audience. To summarise, this phase of the project has been an eye-opening experience in the realm of animation background design. It emphasised the significance of careful scene selection, composition, perspective, and the use of colour in visual narrative. My findings are not only about creating backgrounds but also about contributing to the overall narrative of the animation, which is a truly rewarding experience.