EXT26-103 - Introduction to Character Design

Course Description

Enrollment is open to students in grades 9-12. 

Characters are the foundation of the stories in film, games, animation, comics and cartoons, and much of the culture and media we love! Learn to develop appealing original heroes, villains, and other iconic characters to make stories come alive. You will learn about the process of designing and constructing characters from thumbnail sketches to finished artwork and explore different styles and techniques as well as being introduced to what it is like to create and draw characters as a profession in the entertainment industry.

Make your characters believable by adding expressions, features, and attributions. To help you draw your characters more skillfully and from many angles and poses, you will practice form, proportion, shape, light and shading, clothing and composition. Whether this will be your first attempt at creating characters or you have notebooks full of ideas to share and refine, you’ll learn new skills and gain the confidence to bring your imaginative characters to life and contribute to the vibrant world of visual storytelling. The final day of this workshop will include an exhibition opportunity to show your work to family and friends.  

Learner Outcomes

• Students will know the stages and elements of the character design process. 

• Students will know introductory information about careers in illustration and entertainment. 

• Students will practice form, proportion, shape, light and shading, clothing and composition by drawing the human figure. 

• Students will have the opportunity to show their work in a final exhibition.