Character Design archive

My archival project explores the concept of character design in animation in which I drew 10

different character design sketches from a diverse set of styles. Through the form of a 5 second animated gif, I wanted to sketch and mix around different portions of their bodies and alternate between each character.

I played around with each part of the bodies to see what makes some of these designs stick out and how successful the shapes intertwine with one another.

As these characters are focused as the main attraction in these animated films, I wanted to explore how a character design can effectively attract an audience and how they become so interactive.

From this project, I learned about the different visual elements that come into play for the attraction of the character. A lot of these elements involve goofy and fictional aspects that really tap into a more youthful imagination. It's the more unrealistic and unique characters that captivate a younger audience as it enhances their creativity and presents them with this escape from reality.

Stimpy (Stimpy's Invention)

This is a character design that had been rejected because it had seemed too creepy for kids to look at. But I feel as if the creepy aspect of this design would add on to its fun persona. The younger audience seems to be more drawn towards the goofy and fun characteristics which is exactly what this character portrays. Another thing to consider is how the character plays with the youthful imagination as it is not a realistic being. Any sense of fantasy and unreal brings more attention towards the childlike perspective as it fits more with their sense of imagination.

Mulan

From Disney's animated film featuring a Chinese fairytale. This was the original character design for Mulan, until Disney had whitened its character. By this process, they add European features to make the character more white to the younger audience. This has unfortunately been seen a lot through a lot of animated characters and disappoints certain cultures as certain aspects and traits are just hidden. The original design had followed an art style that seemed familiar to Chinese and asian culture. Unfortunately, this was a missed opportunity for Disney considering how they influenced a young asian audience and yet couldn't provide them the representation they deserved.

Ursula (Little Mermaid)

Ursula was the antagonist for the animated film "Little Mermaid" in 1989. The image portrayed on the left shows the original design versus the final product on the right. As you can see, the original Ursula looked a lot more creepier with the spiky mohawk and the shark like teeth. Yet the animators had chosen a new design in inspiration of a drag queen named Divine. Unlike many of their characters, this new change had actually improved the character in which this inspiration had brought more life and mischievousness into this new character.

Aladdin

Aladdin is another example of a character that had been whitened from Disney. Originating from a Middle Eastern folk tale, the new design had completely strayed away from the Middle Eastern characteristics. The most concerning aspect is how the new design for Aladdin was inspired by Tom Cruise, a white male. Unfortunately this sets a lie for the younger audience, especially for the youth that had originated from this culture. Disney had yet again disappointed the audience in presenting a white lie disrespecting another culture.

Uncle Monty

A character design that has never been released portrays a small old man who is portrayed through fun expressions. The artist does a good job in bringing this character to life even with the portrayal of only his face. The character is shown through unrealistic expressions in which his neck drastically stretches or his widened smile. This is the type of style that can draw a younger audience as it ties in fun elements to its concept art.

Pinocchio

A childhood classic in which this design easily taps in to the youthful imagination. The character portrays a boy and a doll into one being. Whats really intriguing about this character is the development of the nose that constantly grows. Another aspect is the innnocence that this character portrays especially in its facial expression which seems more welcoming for the youthful perspective.

Skate Cat

This is a student character design that was developed by slix. Even as a character that has not been presented screen time, this animator presents a fun lovable character. Portraying animals as a human is a highly effective visual aspect that draws in the younger audience as they love animals. But even by just presenting a non human being in general is a detail that is loved by children.

Princess Tiana

Another Disney character that Disney has yet again hidden aspects from a certain culture. Compared to the new design, it is clear that Disney had tried to hide Black features from the younger audience. A big detail is the change in hairstyle as the new design incorporates a simple Disney ponytail. Unfortunately this older concept was very beautiful and really captured her cultural aspect. This design is something that could've brought black representation to a black younger audience, a concept that Disney had chosen to ignore.

The Granny

Another fun concept art that has been developed from a smaller artist. This character already draws in a comical, angry persona in which we see a grandmother. What I love about this design is how the artist chose their shapes. Obviously this is not what the realistic human body looks like, but the artist plays around with space and distorts the figure. The portrayal of the figures shape can draw in the younger audience as again it is something that we don't see in real life.

Armadillo

In this design we are presented a fun figure that again draws into the idea of a non human character. The artist takes an interesting animal and uses elements of that animal into this character such as the movement with its shell. Its also cool to see how this figure is shown in different emotions and how they are rolling around and utilizing every aspect that is not human like.