28/4/2022 - 9/6/2022 / Week 5 - Week 11
Lui Hsiao Hui (Tressa) / 0342003
Character Design / Entertainment Design
Character Design / Entertainment Design
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Task 2: Character Design Development
EXERCISES
Fig. 1 Quick poses exercise, Week 5 (28/4/2022)
In week 5, we were introduced to quickposes.com where we can practice
sketching poses under set times (1 minute per pose etc). We did this exercise
in class and it was challenging. From this exercise, I found that the way I
draw poses/figures is very angular. I was advised to loosen up when drawing because my sketches have
harsh strokes and lack the 'flowy' rhythm.
INSTRUCTIONS
Task 2: Character Design Development
Character Expressions
Fig. 2.1 Expressions, Week 6-8 (4-21/5/2022)
We began task 2 by sketching character poses and drawing 15 expressions for
our character. For the expressions, I referred to emojis to help me decide
which expressions I wanted to draw. I then looked at expression references
to execute the specific expressions for my character.
Character Poses
Fig. 2.2 Pose sketches, Week 6 (2/5/2022)
I decided to combine the exploration of poses and outfits together to
save time during this hectic semester. From the 10 pose sketches, I
selected 5 that suited my character the best. Then I sketched 5 outfits
based on the outfit sketches from task 1.
Character Outfits
In week 7, we were briefed about designing character outfits. We were
instructed to 'talk to our character', to identify what they like, what
suits them etc. We were also encouraged to explore 'mod' outfits,
meaning outfits the character would be wearing according to the mod. For
example, Ms. Anis suggested that I could explore punk fashion for my
character, basically saying we could explore something that's quite
different from how our character would dress. We also had to take note
of how different outfits would suit the narrative or change it.
Based on the sketches from task 1, I made moodboards for each of them
to help further develop my design. I sourced clothing from historical
periods (Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo) along with modern takes on
historical fashion. This part was really fun because I enjoy
fashion.
Outfit #1: Red's Court
Fig. 3.1 Outfit #1 moodboard, Week 6 (5/5/2022)
Fig. 3.2 Outfit #1 progression, Week 7-9 (12-24/5/2022)
Fig. 3.3 "Red's Court" - Outfit #1, Week 9 (24/5/2022)
This first outfit is based on Ruby's main outfit design in task 1. A court
skirt is added to suit court fashion, and it can be removed to increase ease
of mobility.
Symbolism
- Pigtail braids: Youth
- Heart motifs: The Red Queen
- Mismatched stockings: Youth and quirky style
- Skirt: Non-conformity in court fashion because her legs are shown
- Edgy corset: Foreshadowing of status change
Fig. 3.4 Outfit #1 colour variations, Week 9 (24/5/2022)
Outfit #2: Of Assistance
Fig. 3.5 Outfit #2 moodboard, Week 6 (5/5/2022)
Fig. 3.6 Outfit #2 progression, Week 6-8 (6-18/5/2022)
For outfit #2 I was a bit torn on which pose to go with. Pose #1 does
highlight the outfit, though I pose #2 felt more natural and less like she's
posing.
Fig. 3.7 "Of Assistance" - Outfit #2, Week 8 (18/5/2022)
This outfit is the most 'edgiest' out of the lineup. I imagined that Ruby
would want to look cool and powerful while travelling with the Red Queen,
hence I designed a more masculine outfit for her travelling wear. It has the
traditional large puff sleeves, a high collar and shoulder plate details
resembling armour. The purpose of these is to portray status and power. Her
hair is also in a heart updo, unlike her usual hair-down hairstyles. This
signifies restriction and putting up a front.
Fig. 3.8 Outfit #2 colour variations, Week 8 (18/5/2022)
Outfit #3: All Hearts
Fig. 3.9 Outfit #3 moodboard, Week 6 (5/5/2022)
Fig. 3.10 Outfit #3 progression, Week 6 (2-6/5/2022)
Fig. 3.11 "All Hearts" - Outfit #3, Week 6 (6/5/2022)
This outfit screams funky yet youthful. I think this is the most 'Ruby fit'
because it really matches her personality and style. It matches the
weirdness of Wonderland, however, deviates from the traditional fashion
styles of the Red Queen's court.
Symbolism
- Heart pannier: Quirky shape, signifies youth and playfulness (Ruby’s fashion style)
- Heart motifs: The Red Queen
- Mesh hoop skirt: Restriction
Fig. 3.12 Outfit #3 colour variations, Week 7 (10/5/2022)
Outfit #4: Not a Pawn, a Queen
Fig. 3.13 Outfit #4 moodboard, Week 7 (5/5/2022)
Fig. 3.14 Outfit #4 progression, Week 7 (7-10/5/2022)
I wracked my brain a lot for this design. I was trying to bring out the
essence of a chess piece in the overall shape of the clothing, hence the
puffy layers in the 3rd sketch. Due to mobility and functionality, I decided
it was better to keep it as a simple long skirt train, that way it allows
the puffed skirt at the hips to be accentuated.
Fig. 3.15 "Not a Pawn, a Queen" - Outfit #4, Week 7 (12/5/2022)
I really love the heart corset top paired with the tube top for this outfit,
the combo is just stunning and the contrast in texture is appealing.
However, this design is more of a modern style of clothing, not following
the traditional shapes of big Renaissance dresses.
Function
- Removable puff skirt and skirt train (both are separate)
- Long ribbon to strangle enemies (if needed)
Symbolism
- Shape of entire look: Resembles the shape of a chess piece, alluding to Ruby being the Red Queen’s pawn
- Heart motifs: The Red Queen
- Edgy corset and ruffle collar: Switch in power and status
- Princessy puff sleeve top: Ruby’s true personality
Fig. 3.16 Outfit #4 colour variations, Week 7 (12/5/2022)
Outfit #5: In Marmoreal
Fig. 3.17 Outfit #5 moodboard, Week 6 (5/5/2022)
The last outfit is completely different from the others. I decided to design
a White Queen inspired outfit, with the narrative being that she works for
the White Queen after the end of the Red Queen's rule.
*Marmoreal is the name of the White Queen's place.
Fig. 3.18 Outfit #5 progression, Week 6-8 (5-16/5/2022)
Fig. 3.19 "In Marmoreal" - Outfit #5, Week 8 (16/5/2022)
To keep the 'Ruby flare', I decided upon a short skirt instead of a dress,
because from the lineup she always has the priority to have room for her
legs.
Symbolism
• Shape of entire look: Influence from traditional Rococo fashion (the
White Queen’s fashion)
• No more heart motifs as the Red Queen has been banished, but still
retains the red colour to match her name ‘Ruby’
• Lacks a ‘dress’ because Ruby’s signature style is shorter skirts, it
also signifies her ‘non-conformity’ to tradition
Fig. 3.20 Outfit #5 colour variations, Week 8 (16/5/2022)
Pink is Ruby's favourite colour, with red being the second. I'd like to
think that even after transitioning to work for the White Queen, she'd have
those colours in her new outfits. I also introduced an additional periwinkle
blue which matches the pink and overall pastel look.
Final Outfits
Fig. 4.2 Final outfits - coloured, Week 9 (24/5/2022)
The final outfit lineup, this fuels my fashion dreams.
Prop Design
Prosthetic Left Forearm
Fig. 4.3 Prosthetic colour variations, Week 9 (28/5/2022)
Fig. 4.4 Prosthetic - final design, Week 9 (28/5/2022)
Since my character's clothing is the focal point, I didn't want a prop that would be too bulky or distracting so I came up with the prosthetic idea. It also fits the character's storyline and current place of residence. I imagine that Ruby would store her sewing tools in her prosthetic such as scissors, buttons, needles, threads and the Bandersnatch's eyeball.
Character Turnaround
Fig. 5.1 Main outfit turnaround, Week 11 (9/6/2022)
Fig. 5.2 Alternate outfit turnaround, Week 11 (9/6/2022)
They look a bit different from all angles welp.
Final PDF
Fig. 5.3 Final Task 2: Character Design Development, Week 11 (9/6/2022)
FEEDBACKS
Week 5: Relax while drawing because your lines are quite stiff, let
loose and create a little more freeform.
Week 6: Very good idea of using
emojis, great progression, proceed with exploring and developing the clothing.
Week 9: Suggestion to do outfit #5 for the transformation turnaround
because it shows more exploration and variation from the red and edgy outfits.
Outfit #5 also has a unique shape and has feminine textures (ruffle top)
contrasting the rest.
REFLECTION
This character design process was by far the most fun to do although tiring to constantly draw,
especially from different perspectives. It still took me a while to correct the proportions with the help of many references. I had a ton of fun exploring different costume designs based on different scenarios for my character, it also felt like I was living my fashion design dreams. Though towards the end of this task the workload from other modules took over, so I was burned out on trying to perfect the turnaround and prop design. I'm a little disappointed with the quality of those artworks but oh well.
Comments
Post a Comment
be nice