Summary of "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

Idea Generation
- Start with a simple character brief (can be just a word or phrase).
- Consider details like age, gender, clothing, and personality traits.
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.
Research and Inspiration
- Gather external influences from various sources (e.g., Pinterest).
- Mix admired designs with real-life references to create unique characters.
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.
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.