What is #CharacterDesign?

#CharacterDesign is the art of creating original characters for animation, games, comics, and illustration—defining their appearance, personality, costumes, and visual identity.

Origins

Character design as a profession dates to early animation (Disney, Warner Bros., 1930s-1940s), but the hashtag emerged on DeviantArt and Tumblr around 2013 as independent artists shared original characters (OCs) and fan designs.

Animation schools (CalArts, Gobelins) and online tutorials (Ctrl+Paint, Proko) expanded the community.

Core Principles

Shape Language:

• Circles: Friendly, approachable, cute (Baymax, Kirby)
• Squares: Strong, stable, reliable (Mr. Incredible, SpongeBob)
• Triangles: Dynamic, dangerous, villainous (Maleficent, Jafar)

Silhouette Test:

• Recognizable character from silhouette alone
• Distinctive shapes and proportions
• Clear visual hierarchy (focal points)

Color Theory:

• Limited palettes (3-5 colors)
• Color psychology (red = energy, blue = calm)
• Complementary or analogous schemes

Personality Through Design:

• Costume reflects backstory and profession
• Posture conveys confidence or insecurity
• Accessories hint at hobbies and interests

Styles & Approaches

By Medium:

• Animation: Clean lines, simplified forms (Steven Universe, Adventure Time)
• Games: Detailed, multiple angles, rigging-friendly (Overwatch, League of Legends)
• Comics/Manga: Expressive, dynamic, panel-ready
• Concept Art: Explorative, multiple variations, mood-focused

By Aesthetic:

• Western Animation: Broad appeal, exaggerated features
• Anime/Manga: Large eyes, stylized hair, emotion-focused
• Realistic: Grounded anatomy, subtle stylization
• Chibi/Super Deformed: Cute, simplified, small proportions

Cultural Impact

Animation Renaissance:

• Adventure Time (2010): Loose, creative character designs
• Steven Universe (2013): Diverse body types, inclusive designs
• Gravity Falls (2012): Quirky, memorable character lineup
• The Owl House (2020): Expressive, LGBTQ+ representation

Games Industry:

• Overwatch (2016): Diverse, globally-inspired heroes
• Genshin Impact (2020): Anime-style gacha characters
• Valorant (2020): Tactical shooter with distinct agent designs

Social Media Trends:

• #DrawThisInYourStyle: Character redesign challenges
• #CharacterSheet: Turnarounds, expressions, color keys
• #OCTober: Original character art month
• #DesignThisOC: Collaborative character creation

Career Paths

Professional Roles:

• Character Designer: Animation studios, game companies
• Concept Artist: Pre-production visual development
• Visual Development Artist: Film/TV character exploration
• Freelance Illustrator: Book covers, indie games, commissions

Skills Required:

• Anatomy and gesture drawing
• Digital painting (Photoshop, Procreate, Clip Studio Paint)
• Understanding of animation/game pipelines
• Strong portfolio showcasing range and personality

Tools & Resources

Software:

• Procreate: iPad character sketching
• Photoshop: Industry standard for concept art
• Clip Studio Paint: Preferred for manga/comic styles
• Blender: 3D character modeling (increasingly common)

Learning Platforms:

• Schoolism: Courses by industry professionals
• CGMA: Character design courses (Stephen Silver, Wouter Tulp)
• YouTube: Free tutorials (Proko, Sinix Design, Ethan Becker)

Representation & Diversity

Positive Shifts (2010s-2020s):

• More diverse body types beyond “heroic male/sexy female”
• Disability representation in characters
• LGBTQ+ characters normalized
• Non-Western cultural influences celebrated

Ongoing Challenges:

• Tokenism vs. authentic representation
• Stereotyping in fantasy race design
• “Diversity quota” mentality

Legacy

Character design democratized through social media. Independent artists built careers without studio gatekeeping. The field proved that memorable characters transcend technical skill—personality, clarity, and appeal matter most.

Related: #ConceptArt, #Illustration, #AnimationArt, #OriginalCharacter

Sources:

• Character Design Quarterly: http://web.archive.org/web/20250713083826/http://characterdesignquarterly.com/
• Character Design References: https://characterdesignreferences.com/
• Animation Mentor: