Assignment

Your job is to design 4 diverse characters based on any 4 planets in our solar system. Sounds cool, right?

Use the properties of your chosen planets—environment, temperature, size, color, etc—to inspire your designs and diversify your characters.

In order for you to create a successful cast, it is important to challenge yourself to make each of your characters' silhouettes and personalities unique. Highlighted in this Google Doc is a step by step process on how to craft your characters, from listing out features, to thumbnailing your ideas, to finalizing your designs on character sheets.

You may also find it helpful to search for character design examples online, or information about the planets you are using. There are no limits! Just create and have fun.

Deliverables

4 separate character turnaround sheets of each character you have designed based off the planets
1 character cast sheet showing all 4 characters standing beside one another to showcase their differences
You may also post sketches of your process, expression sheets, and other experiments regarding this project! Note that asking for critique and feedback is essential to developing a successful character.

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Recommended Books

Anatomy for the Artist by Sarah Simblet
Bridgman's Life Drawing by George B. Bridgman
Constructive Anatomy by George B. Bridgman
Making Comics by Scott McCloud (this book highlights the importance of expression in characters!)
Concept Art books (Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, and even specifics like Big Hero 6 and The Legend of Korra concept art books are exceptional, and give insight to many of the steps their characters took through their development.)

Examples of Character Design Artists

Helpful Images

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Disney's Aladdin

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Disney's Big Hero 6

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Pixar's Ratatouille

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Greg Weisman's Young Justice

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Disney's Big Hero 6

Atlas V

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