Inspirations

 Below are a list of character designs in various different medias that I find inspire me as some of the best and most well-thought out character designs I've come across. These are not just my opinion, but some are from friends and family who have shown me them as points of reference.

Not all are specifically illustration-related, but I wanted to make a post about them to show the detail I'd like to consider in my designs.

OUTER WILDS - THE SOLAR SYSTEM

- Game is not necessarily anything special in terms of character design, but definitely in terms of worldbuilding

- Designing the setting should be like designing another character! It needs personality

- Outer Wilds has such a carefully crafted setting that it is its own character entirely

Outer Wilds by NicoSquare on DeviantArt
Worldbuilding is often overlooked, but this game proves how it is just as important as the characters and the story - for a good set of characters, they need a well-designed world

BIG PANDA AND TINY DRAGON - TINY DRAGON

- Tiny Dragon from Big Panda and Tiny Dragon by James Norbury

- Contrasts Big Panda in size so makes great duo

- Very simple design, few strokes needed for this character

- Clear silhouette, detail not needed to show the personality and expression

THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX, AND THE HORSE - THE BOY

- Exquisitely illustrated book and perfectly communicated characters - The Boy arguably with best design choices

- So simplified - no facial features, no specific costume design, simple hair

- Large head to emphasise young age

- Makes character look very cute and innocent, immediately warm to him

CASTLEVANIA - NIGHT CREATURES

- Animated series of Castlevania is one of my main inspirations for character design and animation

- All characters and settings exceptionally designed with a lot of consideration as to how they fit into different settings

- Special mention for the Night Creatures (the demon creatures throughout the plot, crafted by forgemasters)

- Hundreds of different night creatures and every single design is different

- Example of a significant Night Creature - the priest

- Priest killed as a human in S1 and was then brought back as a night creature and used for bad

- Everything about the design is opposite of what a priest would typically be - immodest, stereotypical demon horns, aggressive

- Bandaged eyes from where he was killed

- Isaac (character) was a forgemaster who found his own way and made an army of night creatures that would obey only him

- Every single one was different, all gruesome and with their own personality

- A special mention to 'Flysaac' - a creature resembling a fly who was more human than the others, and made the army appear a lot more threatening overall