Game Art - Art Direction - Principles of Character Design

Game Art Design – Critical Studies

Art Direction 1

Principles of Character Design GAME 1002 Week 2 Art Direction 1

Emma Ash, Michael Powell August 2014

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Principles of Character Design what makes a character visually interes interesting ting what is their story how do we convey this visually where do we begin Roller Bunny by Gregory Callahans

GAME 1002 Week 2 Art Direction 1


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Principles of Character Design what makes a character visually interes interesting ting what is their story how do we convey this visually where do we begin Roller Bunny by Gregory Callahans



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What is good character design? is it believable silhouette readability fit for purpose

‘Journey’ by Thegamecompany



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Believable

‘Ideal Proportions’ from Figure Drawing For All It ’s Worth, Worth, Andrew Loomis



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Believable - exaggeration A

B

C

D

‘2D Tutorial ‘How to’ Exaggerating Body Proportions by Mi ke Crilley



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Believable - exaggeration A

B

C

D




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Comparison – Jack and Robin




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‘DC Comics Batman by Neal Adams



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Who am I?

‘by Andy Fairhurst



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Silhouette silhouette must be clearly readable designed with a signature pose pose should reinforce character traits weapons should complement character

‘Wolverine’ by Andy Fairhurst



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‘Tangled’ by Disney



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Readability – the value gradient value – the range of light and dark regardless of colour and saturation value gradient – value should shift from darker at feet to lighter at head creates focal points – draw the player’s eye to important areas creates illusion of depth, enhances 3D ‘Dota2 Character Art Guide’ by Valve



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Readability – value patterning human eye looks for patterns create contrasting blocks of value to highlight forms increase contrast between objects separate unique pieces into value test value patterns in-game, before adding colour characters most important features draw the eye GAME 1002 Week 2 Art Direction 1

‘Dota2 Character Art Guide’ by Valve


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Readability – colour and saturation primary + secondary and tertiary, complement or contrast avoid colours dominant in the world saturation/colour intensity draw the eye higher saturation to reinforce interest ALWAYS recheck values in greyscale ‘Dota2 Character Art Guide’ by Valve



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Readability – colour for mood and story



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’Farmer’ by Jolyon Webb, Game Art Team



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Is it fit for purpose? check character in context test shapes test colours, values and scale ensure it does not distract ’Farmer’ by Jolyon Webb, Game Art Team



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What is good character design - checklist is it believable – based on reality silhouette – is clear, recognisable, unique and unmistakeable readability – value gradient, value pattern, colour and saturation, colour for mood and story fit for purpose – does it fit into the environment, your world



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Who am I? Superhero recognition time…

‘Hello Kitty super hero designs by Joseph Senior



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The many faces of Batman

a strong design will become iconic GAME 1002 Week 2 Art Direction 1


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How do we create a character? rules and story gathering reference – visual research refining reference using mood boards – visual research thumbnail sketches – generating and testing ideas refined sketches exploring palette final concepts ready for production! ‘Tangled’ by Disney



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The game world helps define the rules Positive Hand-made Chunky Organic Rural Low-tech Medieval

‘Tangled’ by Disney



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The game world helps define the rules

‘Village’ by Mitch Small, Craig Mooney, Game Art Team



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Rules characters are real world proportions silhouette must be bold and interesting with chunky shapes, not fiddly small details hands and feet may be slightly exaggerated all colours from a warm, natural palette



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Story characters have a story to locate them in the game world male farmer late 30s overweight rustic jolly likes a drink, and it shows



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Gathering references a collection of visual ideas and stimulus at this stage keep an open mind reject nothing



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Refining references – mood boards start to focus your idea prioritise what’s really interesting impose order and deduce visual must haves



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Sketching – generating and testing ideas work fast work rough don’t be precious more done now will save time later




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Refined sketching




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Exploring palette warm and natural no artificial colours use saturated colour sparingly colours sit in harmony




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Final concept right proportions right colours right shape/silhouette tells story visually




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How do we create a character - checklist rules and story gathering reference – visual research refining reference using mood boards – visual research thumbnail sketches – generating and testing ideas refined sketches exploring palette final concepts now you’ve got a basic understanding of guiding principles of good character design, it’s your turn!



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Where 2D and 3D collide Game Production: introducing you to 3DS Max learning modelling basics Visual Studies: fundamentals of drawing visual communication visual review, tools and techniques



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Character design – Cubee Man we’ll provide you with



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Cubee Man – a blank canvas



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Cubee Man – colouring in



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Your Cubee character



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Your Cubee character and beyond! small changes make BIG differences add hair and props add more geometry add more complexity to the base



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Paper Art

Paper characters by Alexei Lyapunov and Lena Ehrlich from ‘People Too’



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Game Art Design – Visual Studies

Takeaways: believable silhouette readable fit for purpose ICONIC

GAME 1004 Week 1 Introduction


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Game Art Design – Visual Studies

Takeaways: believable

beast the research

silhouette

work hard and fast

readable

don’t concept too soon

fit for purpose

AVOID EMOTIONAL

ICONIC

ATTACHMENT

GAME 1004 Week 1 Introduction


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Game Art - Art Direction - Principles of Character Design

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