How I 'Design Characters' for my Comics? - The Process (PART 2)

In this video, KES discusses his character design process for comics, emphasizing foundational principles over mere tricks and tactics. He outlines a structured approach to designing characters, which he summarizes in a free 40-page guidebook called "Sketch to Characters."

character design Process

1. Idea Generation
   • Start with a simple character brief (can be just a word or phrase).
   • Consider details like age, gender, clothing, and personality traits.
2. Character Thumbnails
   • Create rough sketches using flat, simple shapes.
   • Apply character design principles, such as:
     • Principle of Shapes: Identify core shapes that define the character's design.
     • Principle of Clarity: Ensure the design is simple and recognizable, even in silhouette form.
     • Principle of Flow: Create rhythm in the design to avoid stiffness.
3. Research and Inspiration
   • Gather external influences from various sources (e.g., Pinterest).
   • Mix admired designs with real-life references to create unique characters.
4. Refinement and Representation
   • Use the Principle of Simplicity to distill complex ideas into essential shapes and forms.
   • Apply the Principle of Construction to build a 3D character using basic forms (spheres, cubes, cylinders).
   • Introduce variation in size, shape, and line to enhance interest.
5. Inking and Coloring
   • Ink the character while preserving the depth established in the sketch phase.
   • Use a simple color scheme:
     • Primary Color: The main color of the character.
     • Complementary Color: Pairs well with the primary color (often for clothing).
     • Necessary Colors: Essential colors that cannot be omitted (e.g., hair, skin).
     • Accent Color: A pop of color for emphasis.
   • Keep the coloring process straightforward, layering flats, shadows, and highlights.

Key artistic techniques and Concepts

• character design principles: shapes, clarity, flow, simplicity, and construction.
• thumbnail sketching for initial ideas.
• Researching and gathering inspiration effectively.
• Balancing detail with simplicity for clarity and style.

Contributors

• KES (creator and presenter of the video).