Character concept

The inital design

Upon completing my Moodboard, I had the basics ideas of what I wanted to include within my character concept. Within my spare time I took the opportunity to study videos on YouTube of other artist that draw concept. With learning different techniques I decided to use them and experiment as I know I am still learning and picking my own technique slowly. Starting off with a basic scribble model I blocked out my idea so it was down and out of my head.

The first idea I just used a basic model. This was my base for the rest of my ideas and I pretty much just scribbled it out. I knew from the start that I wanted my character to wear a jacket that was suitable for all kinds of weather. Also considering the type of shoes he wears for the same reason, I decided on using some kind of boot since these were also easier to most likely come by in that situation, they are durable and reliable. Once I finished my first design I knew it was very basic with the lack of accessories.

My second design I decided to add a bit more detail. With the thought of the character carrying a backpack so that transporting stuff would be easier. I also made the pants tighter to the leg so that the boot would be showing at the top instead of the pants covering half the boot.

My third design I was considering my back story. Thinking how the nuclear would affect people I went into more detail again. Changing the jacket slightly I added a belt across the waist so he could carry pouches and of course an essential item, a water bottle. Adding bandage on the jacket and the jeans gave it the impression that he has been alive for a while and grabbed whatever resources he could to survive, therefor patching up whenever possible. I kept the backpack in this idea as my main thought was that his role would be to scavenge items for himself or a group. With it being a nuclear disaster I included a mask on his face so that he would be from harm when going outside. This went either way with my backstory as I had the possibility to have the world dangerous and that a person could not venture out without protection. 

After having my initial designs down I decided on the last two. With having different attire this gave the character a bit more personality. The first out the two is basic, it is bandaged up and just wearing basic clothing. The second one is a bit of all the previous ones; it is carrying a backpack for scavenging and has accessories equipped so that he can venture out for a long period of time. This is the basic means of survival and I wanted to show that on my design process.

Summer Project

Intro

Starting off with the summer, we had been handed a summer brief to complete. The project itself was to do with character concept and coming up with different designs for a specific character. The character itself had to be revolved around an apocalyptic period. We could create the initial story behind why the world was upon chaos but it had to be something not supernatural, something that would or could possible happen with an explanation.

In groups we discussed possible ideas such as a nuclear explosion, meteor, nature turning against us and the sun becoming too hot. Within these ideas we had to keep the aspect of that the character that we was designing would not know what is happening straight away, they would be guessing and initially that creates the whole story.

I personally wanted something just simple and I kept with the idea of it being a nuclear reaction. I had many ideas raging from that there was only older people left in the word, ages ranging from 40-65, with the odd younger one out there. This idea I thought had the feeling that the world was coming to an end, that life was ending and that gave fear to the character yet they yearn to stay alive. 

A majority of the world would be in ruins, with the odd base set up by bandits. Of course there would be little groups that would stick together, relying on each other to scavenge food and resources for the group. Within the group there would be set roles and people would have to abide and follow the rules for the group to stay alive. Also considering about the disadvantages and how it would really affect people, since what we all knew once was just wasting away; it would send anyone a little crazy right? This made a big impact on how I would want my character design to look since I had to consider all the possibilities he has been through up till that point. Such as if someone close to him had died, how would that affect the way he looked? I wanted to show emotion and I also decided to create an older character to give that feeling.

I had a number of ideas straight away and I was struggling between two. I was creating a male concept but I wasn’t sure about the age. I wanted to create a younger version and an older version, to signify that he lived his years, that he had been through a lot and managed to survive the apocalypse. I wanted to create an older version because I wanted to show more character, the pain he has been through and the audience question what he has been through.

With my ideas increasing I decided to create a moodboard so I could group up my ideas and references into one places. Looking for pictures on objects that would be used in that situation, I looked up water bottles, boots and a backpack design. Also while looking at references I kept in mind the kind of character I wanted to create, him being young or old I had to keep in consideration that younger the character the more that person could carry.

After a while I found a few pictures to help me and that I could look back on to keep me on track.